The British Geological Survey has launched the UK Geothermal Platform which provides both national and local-scale information about geothermal potential across the country.
Users can explore the potential that lies underground in each region across the UK, giving the ability to make more informed decisions regarding exploration endeavours. The platform, which can be used by regulators, developers and researchers, will draw together diverse information to deliver the appropriate facts needed by heat policy, heat networks, national zoning model and planning specialists.
The platform provides an overview of geothermal energy potential for four geothermal technologies in Great Britain, including shallow, vertical closed-loop with ground-source pump; shallow, open-loop with ground-source heat pump; deep, hot sedimentary aquifers (hydrothermal); and deep, engineered geothermal systems in granites (petrothermal).
It is highlighted within the platform that closed-loop systems can technically be deployed anywhere across Great Britain, with up to 55% of the population able to extract up to 15,000kWh of thermal energy via a single 150m-deep system.
Dr Alison Monaghan, Head of Geothermal at BGS, said, “For the first time, the UK Geothermal Platform makes a large volume of national-scale geothermal data and information available and digitally accessible. It supports a wide range of users in understanding at high level the potential for a range of geothermal energy options, supporting decarbonisation of heating and energy security.”
The openly available platform features a user-friendly map and a data access page that allows for a more detailed viewing of geoscientific information from several organisations, including BGS, the Mining Remediation Authority, environmental agencies, the North Sea Transition Authority and the UK Onshore Geophysical Library.
The first release of the UK Geothermal Platform has been funded by the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.