UK's geothermal potential mapped out
The British Geological Survey's interactive map scopes geothermal potential across shallow and deep technology options.
The platform can be used by regulators, developers and researchers to make more informed decisions.
It draws together diverse information and synthesises it to inform heat policy, heat networks, national zoning model and planning specialists.
Included is potential for four geothermal technologies:
- Shallow, vertical closed-loop with ground-source heat pump
- Shallow open-loop with ground-source heat pump
- Deep, hot sedimentary aquifers (hydrothermal)
- Deep, engineered geothermal systems in granites (petrothermal)
For instance, the platform highlights that closed-loop systems can technically be deployed almost anywhere across Great Britain (local planning and regulatory constraints apply). Up to 55% of the population has the potential to extract up to 15 000kWh of thermal energy (the typical annual energy of a gas boiler), via a single, 150m-deep, closed-loop system.
Towns, cities and industrial sites can be assessed for the potential to retrofit geothermal technology and new development zones can be quickly assessed from the start of the development or planning cycle.
For example, planned development for the Liverpool–Manchester–Leeds–Sheffield growth corridor can take advantage of multiple geothermal energy technologies.
The first release of the UK Geothermal Platform has been funded by the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
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