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Conceptual Modelling of Two Large-Scale Mine Water Geothermal Energy Schemes: Felling, Gateshead, UK

Author

Listed:
  • David Banks

    (Holymoor Consultancy Ltd., 360 Ashgate Road, Chesterfield S40 4BW, Derbyshire, UK)

  • Jonathan Steven

    (Groundwater & Geothermal Services Ltd., Low Cross Buildings, 4 Low Cross Street, Brampton CA8 1NP, Cumbria, UK)

  • Adam Black

    (Lanchester Wine Cellars Ltd., Greencroft Estate, Tower Road, Annfield Plain, Stanley DH9 7XP, County Durham, UK)

  • John Naismith

    (TownRock Energy Ltd., East Woodlands House, Dyce AB21 0HD, Aberdeen, UK)

Abstract

A conceptual model is presented of two MW-scale low enthalpy mine water geothermal heat pump schemes that are being developed in Tyneside, UK. The Abbotsford Road scheme (54.955° N 1.556° W) is operating (as of May 2021) at 20–30 L/s, abstracting groundwater (and heat) from an unmined Coal Measures Upper Aquifer System (UAS) and reinjecting to the deeper High Main Aquifer System (HMAS), associated with the High Main (E) coal workings and the overlying High Main Post sandstone. A similar scheme, 700 m away at Nest Road (54.959° N 1.564° W), abstracts at 40 L/s from the HMAS, recovers heat from the mine water and reinjects the thermally spent water to deeper workings associated with the Hutton (L), Harvey-Beaumont (N) (and possibly other) coal seams, termed the Deep Mined Aquifer System (DMAS). The three aquifer systems are vertically discontinuous and possess different hydraulic (storage, transmissivity and continuity) properties that would have been near-impossible to predict in advance of drilling. At the sites, 10 boreholes were drilled to obtain five usable production/reinjection boreholes. Development of mine water geothermal energy schemes thus carries a significant project risk, and also a potential ongoing maintenance burden related to iron hydroxide scaling. These do not preclude mine water geothermal as a useful low carbon heating and cooling technology, but the involvement of skilled hydrogeologists, hydrochemists, mining and groundwater engineers is a pre-requisite.

Suggested Citation

  • David Banks & Jonathan Steven & Adam Black & John Naismith, 2022. "Conceptual Modelling of Two Large-Scale Mine Water Geothermal Energy Schemes: Felling, Gateshead, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-28, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1643-:d:739735
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David B. Walls & David Banks & Adrian J. Boyce & Neil M. Burnside, 2021. "A Review of the Performance of Minewater Heating and Cooling Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-33, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mouli-Castillo, Julien & van Hunen, Jeroen & MacKenzie, Michael & Sear, Thomas & Adams, Charlotte, 2024. "GEMSToolbox: A novel modelling tool for rapid screening of mines for geothermal heat extraction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    2. Brown, C.S. & Kolo, I. & Lyden, A. & Franken, L. & Kerr, N. & Marshall-Cross, D. & Watson, S. & Falcone, G. & Friedrich, D. & Diamond, J., 2024. "Assessing the technical potential for underground thermal energy storage in the UK," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).

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    1. Mouli-Castillo, Julien & van Hunen, Jeroen & MacKenzie, Michael & Sear, Thomas & Adams, Charlotte, 2024. "GEMSToolbox: A novel modelling tool for rapid screening of mines for geothermal heat extraction," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).

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