Those at the heart of the development say the new heated section will lead the way in showing how geothermal technology can be utilised across the UK.
Drilling work has started for the Jubilee Pool geothermal project in Cornwall. When ready, the adjacent swimming pool facilities will be partly heated by geothermal energy.
Work on drilling for the Jubilee Pool project in Penzance in Cornwall/ UK has started. The projects plans to heat part of the swimming pool facilities by geothermal energy, becoming essentially the first facility of its kind in Britain to make use of geothermal for heating in the UK.
The project plans to drill a 1,500 meter deep well to heat parts of the pools to around 35°C in the spring of 2019, so Cornwall Live today. The most part of the pools will though remain its normal temperatures. The project has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is being carried out by Geothermal Engineering Ltd.
“The aim of this project is to increase visitor numbers at the application site and help keep Cornwall at the forefront of deep geothermal heat development,” said a spokesman for GEL last August. GEL has secured a licence from Geon Energy, a joint venture company set up by Arup and GEL for some of the technology used in the project.
Director or Arup, Dr Matthew Free, said: “We have been looking at many possibilities for generating geothermal heat and are pleased that the first operational project will be in Cornwall where we carried out a highly successful trial project two years ago.
“Not only will the well deliver heat cost-effectively and with practically zero carbon emissions, it should prove an attractive idea for the local community and for visitors.
“Why go to Iceland, Japan or New Zealand to experience water warmed from deep underground? The resulting economic benefits to Penzance should be significant.”
Through the well hot water will be pumped to the surface where it will pass a heat exchanger to heat water for the adjacent Jubilee Pool facilities.
Managing director of GEL, Ryan Law, added: “The use of geothermal energy significantly reduces emissions of greenhouse gases associated with the supply of heat.
“We hope that the learning and expertise gained from this ground-breaking project will be exported elsewhere, giving Cornwall the chance to be a leader in geothermal technology and installation.”
Currently an initial drill is thought to be clearing the way for the larger drill, which should arrive in the coming weeks, according to workmen.
Those at the heart of the development say the new heated section will lead the way in showing how geothermal technology can be utilised across the UK.
Ryan Law, from GEL, says “This is a very exciting opportunity for us in Cornwall. “Jubilee Pool will be the first deep geothermal heat project in the UK for over a quarter of a century. We hope that the project will help to promote both the pool as a destination in itself and deep geothermal energy across Cornwall and beyond. “The use of geothermal energy drastically reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and that the learning and expertise gained from this project will be exported elsewhere, giving Cornwall the chance to be a leader in geothermal technology and installation.
Martin Nixon, chairman of The Friends of Jubilee Pool, comments “My brother Charles initially proposed to me that we should heat a section of the pool with geothermal energy over five years ago, so I’m very excited to see his fantastic idea move closer to reality. I’m confident it will be hugely popular locally, and that tourists from around the world will flock to Penzance all-year-round to experience this unique facility. The resulting economic benefits to Penzance should be significant.”
Source: Cornwall Live, Jubilee Pool