The Low Enthalpy Geothermal Potential of Shallow Aquifers in Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland

为了实现低碳能源转型和实现净零排放的挑战，有必要确定和开发经济上可行的低碳能源，这些能源对环境的影响有限。地热能提供了这样一个机会。尽管地热能具有相当大的潜力，但迄今为止，在英国几乎没有商业上的成功。从历史上看，大型资本项目集中在高焓断裂康沃尔语花岗岩的发电上;进展一直稳定但缓慢。可行性研究还涉及英国深层沉积含水层的潜力，但大多数项目都有重大的地质风险和高昂的钻井成本。相比之下，从浅层（<200米）地下水源获得的低焓地热能成本相对较低，并利用成熟的技术。英国的闭环和开环地源热泵（GSHP）行业正在增长，但由于对地下情况了解不足，常常阻碍了开环资源的开发。（中央地带以北）和北方爱尔兰，办法是：a）审计横跨北方爱尔兰和北方苏格兰的浅层地热资源，B）根据其经济热源潜力对区域进行分级，以及（如果可能的话）3）将优选方案进展为高级商业案例。为了审计低焓地热资源，将对潜在的浅层地热含水层的分布进行初步的桌面研究。工作重点将放在上新世-更新世和第四纪的浅层砾石含水层。学生将利用底图和专业知识提供的北方爱尔兰（GSNI）和英国地质调查局（BGS）。一旦确定，将对重点地区进行更详细的研究，包括使用浅层地球物理技术来限制基岩深度、砾石含水层内部特性和流体含量。将进行实地地质测绘，以确定含水层的特性。确定沉积环境将是评估孔隙度和渗透率分布等特征的关键，例如，冰接触三角洲、冰川冲刷层和隧道谷都具有显著不同的非均匀性分布，这将影响体积和含水层流速。将制定一套浅层含水层勘探的筛选标准，其中除地质特征外，还将包括环境（如水处理机制、盐度和金属含量）和经济（如需求证据，加上某些行业可能的水冷却要求）方面。在这些研究之后，将选择两个或两个以上的地点进行进一步的可行性工作，包括模拟以确定经济潜力，其中至少一个地点位于北方爱尔兰，另一个位于苏格兰北方。学生将接受一系列适用技术的培训，并将接触到更广泛的环境和经济方面的分析。该项目将受益于与地热能源公司TownRock Energy的季度会议，以及BGS和GSNI的专业知识。

To achieve the Low Carbon Energy Transition and the challenge of meeting Net Zero it is necessary to identify and develop economically-viable, low carbon energy sources that have limited environmental impact. Geothermal energy provides such an opportunity. Despite the considerable potential of geothermal energy, to date there has been little commercial success in the UK. Historically, big capital projects have focussed on power generation in high enthalpy fractured Cornish granites; progress has been steady but slow. Feasibility studies have also addressed deep sedimentary aquifer potential across the UK, but most projects have significant geological risk and high well cost. In contrast, low enthalpy geothermal energy obtained from shallow (<200 m) groundwater sources is relatively low cost and utilises well-established technology. The Closed and Open loop Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) industry in the UK is growing, however it is the often the case that development of open loop resources is prevented through poor subsurface understanding.We aim to establish the low enthalpy geothermal potential of northern Scotland (north of the Central Belt) and Northern Ireland by: a) auditing the shallow geothermal resource across Northern Ireland and northern Scotland, b) grading areas based on their economic heat source potential and, if possible, 3) progressing preferred options to a high-level business case. To audit the low enthalpy geothermal resource an initial desktop study of the distribution of potential shallow geothermal aquifers will be undertaken. Work will focus on shallow gravel aquifers of Plio-Pleistocene and Quaternary age. The student will utilise base maps and expertise provided by the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Once identified, focus areas will be subject to more detailed study including the use of shallow geophysical techniques to constrain depth to bedrock, gravel aquifer internal properties and fluid content. Geological field mapping to determine aquifer characteristics will be undertaken. Establishing the depositional environment will be key to assessing characteristics such as porosity and permeability distribution, for example ice contact deltas, glacial outwash sheets and tunnel valleys all have significantly different heterogeneity distribution which will impact volume and aquifer flow rate. A set of screening criteria for shallow aquifer prospects will be developed which as well as geological characteristics will also include environmental (e.g. water disposal mechanisms, salinity and metal content) and economic (e.g. evidence of demand, plus possible water cooling requirements of some industries) aspects. Following these studies, two or more sites will be selected for further feasibility work including simulation to establish economic potential, with at least one site located in Northern Ireland and one in northern Scotland. The student will be trained in a range of applicable techniques and will also be exposed to broader analysis of environmental and economic aspects. The project will benefit from quarterly meetings with TownRock Energy, a geothermal energy company, and the expertise of the BGS and GSNI).