Aberdeen in Scotland targetting ‘Icelandic-style’ geothermal heating
Aberdeen Castle Gate, Scotland/ UK (source: flickr/ Bernt Rostad, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
29 Mar 2016
Following feasibility studies, a possible project to bring "Icelandic-style" geothermal heating to the city of Aberdeen in Scotland could be a groundbreaking demonstration scheme for geothermal heating in Scotland.
The city of Aberdeen in Scotland in the UK is considering the drilling of wells to tap into geothermal energy to heat local homes and businesses.
Campaigners for the initiative say that this would help Aberdeen to source most of its heating from a clean energy source, similar to that of Iceland, which derives about 95% of all heating from geothermal energy.
Welcoming the proposal, WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: “Thanks to the growth in renewables and the closure of fossil-fuel power stations, Scotland is well on its way to de-carbonising its electricity system.
“Sadly, the same cannot be said for how we heat our homes, businesses and water – with just 3 per cent of that heat coming from renewable sources.
“Along with other technologies, geothermal schemes like that being proposed in Aberdeen offer the chance to tap into large quantities of pollution-free energy and should be encouraged.”
A new report written by a Professor of local Plymouth University, reports that drilling a well in Aberdeen would cost around GBP 1.5 to 2.5m ($2.1 – 3.5 million) and could supply heating to the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center as well as nearby homes.
The Scottish government has backed geothermal feasibility studies on five sites, one of them being Aberdeen.
The planned project would drill up to 1,900 metres (1.2 miles) with one well possibly being able to heat up to 200 homes.
Source: Herald Scotland
