Geothermal heating being explored at University of Leeds, UK
The University of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England (source: Mtaylor848, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
25 Jan 2024
The University of Leeds will be drilling eight boreholes to evaluate the feasibility of harnessing geothermal energy for heating, thus advancing net zero goals.
The University of Leeds in the UK has started work to test the geothermal potential at several sites within the campus. This is part of the Living Lab project under the University’s Net Zero Delivery Plan that aims to attain net zero emissions from the heating and powering of buildings.
From January to May 2024, eight geothermal boreholes will be drilled will be drilled to depths between 150 to 250 meters at different sites in the campus. Samples will then be collected from the wells, and equipment will be inserted into the subsurface to take measurements. The information gathered from the boreholes will be useful in determining the potential to harness geothermal heat to supply the University’s heating systems.
By the early part of summer, the research team expects to have a clear idea of how geothermal heat can be used in the campus and its role it the net zero strategy.
“Testing new solutions is a crucial part of our approach to delivering net zero, and geothermal heat can provide a more efficient form of heating as we move our campus towards delivering net zero. It also supports a growing area of research that can be applied locally and globally,” said James Dixon Gough, Head of Net Zero at the University of Leeds.
“This project is an excellent example of how the University is working together to explore solutions for tackling the climate crisis.”??
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