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、对环境影响有限的低碳能源。地热能提供了这样一个机会。尽管地热能潜力巨大，但到目前为止，英国的商业成功寥寥无几。从历史上看，大型资本项目一直专注于在高焓裂解的康沃尔花岗岩中发电；进展稳定但缓慢。可行性研究还探讨了英国各地深层沉积含水层的潜力，但大多数项目都存在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，并利用了成熟的技术。英国的封闭式和开式地源热泵(GSHP)行业正在发展，但开式地源热泵(GSHP)的开发往往因为对地下环境的不了解而受到阻碍。我们的目标是通过以下方式建立苏格兰北部(中部地带以北)和北爱尔兰的低焓地热潜力：a)审计北爱尔兰和苏格兰北部的浅层地热资源，b)根据经济热源潜力对地区进行评级，如果可能，将首选方案进展为高级商业案例。为了审计低焓地热资源，将对潜在浅层地热含水层的分布进行初步桌面研究。工作的重点将是上更新世和第四纪的浅层砾石含水层。学生将利用北爱尔兰地质调查局(GSNI)和英国地质调查局(BGS)提供的底图和专业知识。一旦确定，将对重点区域进行更详细的研究，包括使用浅层地球物理技术将深度限制在基岩、砾石含水层的内部性质和流体含量。将进行地质实地测绘，以确定含水层特征。建立沉积环境将是评估孔隙度和渗透率分布特征的关键，例如，冰接触三角洲、冰川冲积层和隧道山谷都具有明显不同的非均质性分布，这将影响体积和含水层流量。将制定一套浅层含水层前景的筛选标准，其中除了地质特征外，还将包括环境方面(例如水处理机制、盐度和金属含量)和经济方面(例如需求的证据，以及一些行业可能的水冷却要求)。在这些研究之后，将选择两个或更多的选址进行进一步的可行性工作，包括模拟以确定经济潜力，至少一个选址位于北爱尔兰，一个位于苏格兰北部。学生将接受一系列适用技术的培训，还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).