United Kingdom: Re-purposing Coal Mines as a Low-Carbon Geothermal Heat Source

Mining for heat (The Geological Society)

Many UK towns were built on coal. Charlotte Adams, Alison Monaghan and Jon Gluyas highlight the vast potential to repurpose our abandoned mining infrastructure as a low-carbon heat source

Deep coal mining in the UK has left a legacy of flooded former mines. Water within these mines can provide a source of heat energy. Durham University is researching the potential of this resource and the British Geological Survey (BGS), commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), are constructing and operating a research site in Glasgow to further understanding of mine energy systems.

BritGeothermal is lobbying for changes to national planning policy, licensing and regulation of subsurface use to ensure that mine energy potential is considered when planning new developments. This group is also investigating the mine energy potential of a number of former coalfields and it is hoped that the new Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site (BGS, 2018), as well as a variety of industrial and council supported projects in north-east England, will significantly reduce subsurface, geoscientific uncertainties and risks, raise awareness and stimulate the market for this low-carbon energy source.

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Adams, C., Monaghanand, A. & Gluyas, J., Mining for heat. Geoscientist 29 (4), 10-15, 2019
https://doi.org/10.1144/geosci2019-021