Geoscience

Renewable Energy Is Right Beneath Your Feet

Mining engineer Dr Tony Batchelor, and a small group of colleagues, set up GeoScience in Falmouth, Cornwall in 1985, having successfully pioneered and managed large-scale research into the use of the earth’s heat as an energy source during their time at the world renowned Camborne School of Mines.

The earth science consultancy primarily serves the oil and gas industry, however it is returning to its roots as one of the key players in what is set to be the UK’s first commercial-scale geothermal power plant.

Cornwall is the UK’s natural home for geothermal activity, GeoScience staff were was involved in the UK’s Hot Dry Rock geothermal research project which ran from 1976 to 1991 and this proved that the county has a suitable heat resource in its granite bedrock.

The technology harnesses the energy of “hot rocks” deep in the earth. Water will be pumped down into the rock where it is naturally heated, before being pumped back to the surface as hot water or steam. The heated water will be used to power turbines to generate electricity as a source of renewable heat.

Working to support Geothermal Engineering Ltd, a company established specifically for this project, GeoScience will advise on drilling to depths of 5000m, something never before achieved onshore in the UK. This leading edge exploration is looking to produce enough electricity to power 20,000 homes and will also produce a constant supply of heat.

The £40m project, based at United Downs, should be operational by 2014. This initiative will hopefully be the first of many in the county as geothermal research and exploration looks set to provide alternative energy sources for the UK in the future.

Dr Tony Batchelor MD of GeoScience says: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to bring our unique geothermal pedigree and environmental skills to the project alongside Geothermal Engineering’s skills in engineering geothermal systems.”

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