GeoGrid, a project devised to explore the benefits and applications of geothermal energy within the UK, has been awarded £3.7mn in funding through the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to enhance energy efficiency and decarbonisation throughout the country.
Geosolutions Leeds will collaborate with Northern Powergrid, LCP Delta, E. ON Next, Leeds City Council and Star Refrigeration on the project in a bid to overcome the challenges presented by geothermal development and the energy transition, such as rising electricity demand, increasing costs and inefficiencies in the renewable sector.
The GeoGrid project will use data from the University of Leeds’ Geothermal Campus living lab to further understand how long-term thermal energy storage can improve the UK energy system’s efficiency and sustainability as well as understand how the energy can be implemented on a bigger scale as a solution to the issues presented by the energy transition.
By integrating geothermal storage into the energy system, GeoGrid aims to lower network connection costs, reduce costly reinforcement and enhance grid resilience. The project will also aid in demonstrating how the interaction of geothermal systems with energy markets can strengthen the business case for district heating.
Dr Emma Bramham, Lecturer in Applied Geophysics and Structural Geology and GeoGrid Project Lead for the University of Leeds, said, “This innovative collaboration will use the University’s unique geothermal living lab facilities to explore new ways of improving energy system efficiency and sustainability.
“The ability to store excess renewable energy beneath the city’s streets will help make best use of green electricity resources and speed up the UK’s transition to net zero.”
The French industrial company Arverne Group, who specialise in the production of renewable underground resources, announced earlier this month that its subsidiary, Lithium de France, has agreed to acquire wellheads from global technology giant SLB for its geothermal project in Alsace.
Nominations for the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award came to an end last week, with applications currently being evaluated on grounds of originality, innovation, reliability, emission reductions, and improvements in energy output.
Stellantis has unveiled a cutting-edge geothermal system at its manufacturing site in Caen, France, designed to provide sustainable heating and cooling solutions for the facility.
Clean energy technology provider Exergy International has signed an agreement with Maren Maras Elektrik Uretim AS for the supply of two new geothermal power plants in Turkey.
Geothermal energy is rapidly gaining recognition as a sustainable solution for both industrial and residential energy needs, offering significant environmental and economic benefits.
Spurred by economies re-opening after the global pandemic and with fuel supply chains drastically affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK has been gripped by an energy crisis since the Autumn of 2021 with energy prices steadily climbing to reportedly be higher than all but three EU states.
The European Union (EU) has made clear its position to wean itself off of Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine and has made fair progress so far with the share of Russia’s pipeline gas in EU imports dropping from more than 40% in 2021 to around 8% in 2023.
The potential of geothermal energy increases the further down a project goes, allowing it to access hotter resources.