Scotland has a rich history of mining and in the past coal was a fuel that contributed greatly to meeting our power and heating needs.  However, did you know that there is an opportunity for this industry to create a new, cleaner energy legacy?  The concept of mine water geothermal, used in many countries around the world, is one that uses abandoned coal mines, filled with water, which is a steady temperature year-round, as a source of thermal energy which can be upgraded to temperatures usable in buildings.

Geothermal energy refers to heat energy stored within the ground and exists across the UK in different geological settings. Shallow geothermal energy (low grade heat) is found in the subsurface at depths up to 500m and can be extracted from both the rocks and aquifers as well as the flooded old mine workings.

Underground thermal energy storage (UTES) is a way to capture and store excess heat either within abandoned mines or within aquifers. UTES systems are, if well designed, more efficient and cheaper to operate than traditional geothermal installations.  The thermal properties of the subsurface are an important consideration in understanding the amount of heat that can be recovered after storage and used for the supply to future heat networks.

There has been investment in research and development facilities, feasibility studies and digital tools to support this sector.  So how can your business capitalise on this investment and unlock new opportunities for growth and collaboration especially in the area of underground thermal storage? Sign up to this webinar and learn more. 

Join HeatSource for this webinar on geothermal and thermal storage where we will be joined by experts to discuss the scale of the opportunity in Scotland and hear about key projects underway as well as the tools and support available. Is your business looking to innovate and collaborate, or do you just want to learn more about this technology and how it might contribute to Scotland Clean Heat future? Then sign up below.

Host

Emma Church, Impact Manager, BE-ST

Speakers

Vanessa Starcher, Science and Operations Lead UK Geoenergy Observatory Glasgow, British Geological Survey (BGS)

Vanessa is the Science and Operations lead for the UK Geoenergy Observatory in Glasgow which focuses on increasing the understanding of mine-water heating and underground thermal energy storage.

Vanessa has over 30 years of experience in the energy arena, initially focussed on the oil and gas sector. She began her career as a geophysicist and spent several years working overseas before joining the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh. At this point Vanessa transitioned into renewable energy and has been involved in both the construction and operational phases of the Glasgow Observatory. Vanessa currently is responsible for the delivery of research and innovation projects linked to the facility and also oversees the operational aspects of the site.

Jamie Macfarlane, Energy Statistics, Office of the Chief Economic Adviser (OCEA), Scottish Government

Jamie has worked as a statistician within the Scottish Government for over a decade, covering areas such as crime, household surveys and the National Performance Framework. For the last year, Jamie has been working on energy statistics with responsibility for the production of the Scotland Heat Map and analysis related to heat networks and non-domestic buildings.

Rachel McCaw, Energy Transition Specialist for Geothermal and Digital Technologies in Clean Heat, Scottish Enterprise          

As an Energy Transition Specialist at Scottish Enterprise, Rachel McCaw is dedicated to supporting Scotland’s ambitious goals for sustainable energy transformation. She leads on digital technology to optimise low carbon technologies and geothermal energy as a sustainable energy source to decarbonise heat in buildings. With a degree in Environmental Science and a strong background in renewable energy and sustainability she collaborates with businesses and stakeholders to drive innovation, research and development for effective outcomes for decarbonisation. 

Session Detail

13.00      Welcome and Introduction: Emma Church, BE-ST          

13.05      Introduction to UK Geoenergy Observatories and underground thermal energy storage (UTES): Vanessa Starcher, BGS

13.20     Scotland’s Heat Map: Jamie Macfarlane, Scottish Government                                                      

13.30     Funding and Support: Rachel McCaw, Scottish Enterprise

13.40     Audience Q&A            

13.55     Summary and Close

14.00 Event Ends