Geothermal Technologies explains GenaSys
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The UK should invest in exploiting the nation’s geothermal energy potential, a new poll of Express.co.uk readers has found. Geothermal energy utilises heat from below the earth’s surface using hot water and steam to power turbines to generate electricity.
The UK currently uses geothermal energy to generate 0.3 percent of the country’s annual heat demand but the renewable source has the potential to heat millions of homes.
Earlier this month some MPs urged the Government to explore the potential of the UK’s geothermal reserves, writing to then-Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg. On October 19, Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee called for Mr Rees-Mogg to give an update on the potential of geothermal technology in Britain.
The cross-party body suggests that geothermal energy could help meet much of the UK’s heating demands over the next century, help meet net-zero emission targets and offer 25,000 jobs by 2050.
However, the committee warned: “The Government has been slow to exploit the potential of geothermal, and has not integrated it fully into the net zero strategy: this appears to be holding back a sector which could be transformative for the UK’s capacity to meet climate goals, use homegrown energy and grow the economy.”
In a poll that ran from 3.30pm on Wednesday, October 26, to 3.30pm on Friday, October 28, Express.co.uk asked readers: “Should the UK exploit the geothermal potential to help energy crisis?”
Overall, 1,104 readers responded with the overwhelming majority, 96 percent (1,058 people), answering “yes” in favour of the UK making use of geothermal energy.
Whereas four percent (41 people) said “no” and a further five people said they did not know.
Dozens of comments were left below the accompanying article as readers discussed the benefits of geothermal energy.
Many readers suggested that geothermal sources should be exploited to help ensure energy security, with username nm2 commenting: “Yes, without delay.”
Username skygazer said: “We should be investigating every possibility of providing energy. Never mind all the naysayers – we are in a global crisis. Get real.”
Likewise, username DonnaM12, said: “The UK should investigate all methods of fuel production that would reduce reliance on others.”
And username Grumpy added: “The Government should have been doing this years ago.”
Some readers commented that geothermal energy was already an effective renewable energy source for other countries.
Username Hamgar said: “Geothermal works very well you just need to look at who uses it, Iceland, New Zealand etc and how very successful it is.”
And username godot, wrote: “Iceland has been using it for years and quite successfully.”
Director for the Centre of Waste Management at the University of Central Lancashire, Karl Williams, said that the UK has “excellent potential” for utilising geothermal energy. He told Express.co.uk earlier this year: “We are fortunate that we can utilise all the different types of geothermal energy recovery. From ground source heat pumps providing low-level heat, to the recovery of mine water energy – a legacy of our industrial heritage – all the way up to granite infusion and temperatures in excess of 130C.”
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However, other readers were warier about geothermal energy, with username Lam Beg commenting that “it can only be a negligible amount in the UK”.
Another, username Williamneilson, said: “Geothermal works and is viable but only where there is a lot of heat not too far from the surface, the costs of drilling down the long distances required in the UK for the very limited geothermal energy available plus the costs of converting that limited energy into a usable temperature is prohibitive.”
Meanwhile, username BobPage said: “If it can be done economically then why not? If it needs Government subsidies then it’s probably not worth the effort.”
Similar to fracking, geothermal energy requires drilling down into the ground which has raised concerns about the risk of seismic activity. One expert claimed that this could be a reason behind stalling investment.
A senior geologist from the British Geological Survey, Darren Jones, said: “The main stumbling block at the moment is getting the Government to buy into [it]. Deep geothermal in particular, is costly, you’re looking for a few million pounds to drill a well so having an insurance incentive scheme, loan incentives, and things like that to attract investment to explore is the only way it’s going to start.”
The UK already utilises a number of small-scale ground source heat pumps across Cornwall and already has one geothermal heat-generating station located in Southampton.
More projects are under consideration across the southwest of England, around South Tyneside and in the Cairngorms.
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