Scotland defines deep geothermal as potentially significant energy resource
Inverness Castle Scotland (source: flickr/ conner395, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
17 Kas 2013
A recent study on the potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland describes geothermal as a potentially signficant resource for Scotland. The largest potential is seen in utilizing hot water from old coal mines for district heating.
In a recently published independent study for Scotland, the authors investigate the potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland and the steps necessary for commercialisation.
The Scottish Government has identified deep geothermal energy as an important emerging renewable energy technology that could have the potential to play a significant role in Scotland’s future energy provision. The aim of this study is to identify the steps necessary to take forward the commercialisation of deep geothermal energy in Scotland.
Part one of the Study into the Potential for Deep Geothermal Energy in Scotland sets out the background of geothermal energy, describes the geological context, and presents an analysis of the size and accessibility of the heat resource in Scotland based on existing geothermal data.
This includes assessment of the areas most likely to hold deep geothermal resource based on existing geological data sets, and identification of policy options and key actions that can be implemented by the Scottish Government to encourage commercial exploitation of the available geothermal resource, such as, assessment of resource licencing, environmental regulation and consenting, planning, cost, benefits and financing.
It provides recommendations for both heat-only developments and power generating developments.
To date, the extent and location of the potential deep geothermal resources has not been well defined. In addition, potential commercial investment in development of deep geothermal energy requires greater certainty regarding the current administrative framework, including clarification of legal ownership of resources legal ownership, resource licensing, planning and permitting regimes, and financing.
The aim of this study was to identify the steps necessary to take forward the commercialisation of deep geothermal energy in Scotland, including:
- Assessment of the areas most likely to hold deep geothermal resource based on existing geological data sets, and
- Identification of policy options and key actions that can be implemented by the Scottish Government to encourage commercial exploitation of the available geothermal resource.
This is indeed a quite interesting report and falls in line with recent announcement of GT Energy on the development of a district heating project in Manchester.
Source: Scottish Government Website, full document
