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Could abandoned mines underneath Glasgow in Scotland provide sufficient heating?

Could abandoned mines underneath Glasgow in Scotland provide sufficient heating? View over Glasgow/ Scotland (source: flickr/ Graeme Maclean, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 9 Apr 2018

Following a study on underground sources of hot water in abandoned mines, the British Geological Survey is confident that up to 40 percent of the heating demand in Glasgow/ Scotland could be covered by geothermal energy.

A new project is looking into how heat from the ground could help warm Glasgow’s homes and communities.

The British Geological Survey is working on studies to help identify which parts of the city would offer the best potential of utilising geothermal energy through tappinginto minewaters, superficial deposits and bedrock acquifers beneath the city.

The city has set itself a target of renewable energy sources to supply 11% of the heat demand in the city, and geothermal energy could help reach those targets.

On its website the BGS provides further details on the project, which was also covered in the Guardian in an article yesterday.

Through its Clyde Super Project (CUSP), the BGS estimates that 40% of the city’s heat demand could be covered from heat taken from waters in abandoned mines under Glasgow.

The city already has a small scheme that has been using heat from minewaters to keep 17 houses warm and that has worked for over ten years.

Further details via the links below.

Source: British Geological Survey, the Guardian