A British Geological Survey project to source geothermal energy from a closed mine in Glasgow and plans to capture wind power mid-generation are some of the alternative energy storage ideas put forward at the ERA Vision 2018 Midlands energy conference.
Underground rocks could be important to decarbonisation, according to a British Geological Survey (BGS) scientist.
Professor Mike Stevenson says: “Carbonisation was the Industrial Revolution and the earth helped us at that time. “Now I’m convinced we can use geology and the sub-surface to do the opposite.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy provided a £31m grant to the BGS to develop two test sites, with one located at a deep coal mine in eastern Glasgow that naturally flooded with water recorded at about 12C.
Starting work this month, it will study low-temperature geothermal energy just below the Earth’s surface to find out if it warm water in can be used for renewable heat.
If successful, disused mines up and down the country could provide a low-cost, low-carbon heat source for homes in the future.
Underground rocks could be important to decarbonisation, according to a British Geological Survey (BGS) scientist.
Professor Mike Stevenson says: “Carbonisation was the Industrial Revolution and the earth helped us at that time. “Now I’m convinced we can use geology and the sub-surface to do the opposite.”
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy provided a £31m grant to the BGS to develop two test sites, with one located at a deep coal mine in eastern Glasgow that naturally flooded with water recorded at about 12C.
Starting work this month, it will study low-temperature geothermal energy just below the Earth’s surface to find out if it warm water in can be used for renewable heat.
If successful, disused mines up and down the country could provide a low-cost, low-carbon heat source for homes in the future.
