Proposal for $12m research center on geothermal heating from abandoned mines in Glasgow, Scotland

View over Glasgow/ Scotland (source: flickr/ Graeme Maclean, creative commons)

Alexander Richter 14 Aug 2017

Plans for a new geothermal research field in Glasgow, Scotland/ UK. With an estimated cost of around GBP 9 million (around $12 million), there are two sites being evaluated.

The Glasgow geothermal research project is proposed as part of the UK Geoenergy Observatories Project, by The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). The UK Geoenergy Observatories project aims to establish new centres for research into the subsurface environment. The knowledge they generate will contribute to the responsible development of new energy technologies both in the UK and internationally.

The BGS is delivering the research infrastructure and will operate the facilities over the 15 to 20-year lifetime for the UK Geoenergy Observatories.

The BGS has worked with the wider geoscience community to identify two preferred geological locations. It is hoped that the first research field site will be in the Thornton area (Cheshire) and will focus on shale gas and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The second research field site will be in Glasgow, Scotland and will focus on geothermal energy.

The project in Glasgow to assess weather geothermal energy would be able to utilise warm water from disused coal mines in order to heat homes and businesses.

Professor John Luddon, executive director of the British Geological Survey said: “This has the potential to be a world-class research site attracting globally leading scientists and engineers, building on Glasgow’s history as a trailblazing city of science.

“Realising the potential of geothermal energy in Clyde Gateway may create opportunities for the UK to lead the way in providing safe and sustainable energy for former mining communities around the world.”

Source: Glasgow Live