Geothermal is the answer

It is a political imperative that the UK government applies deep drilling GTE

It was a pleasure to receive a cutting from Professional Engineering of an article by Lee Hibbert describing the advantages of geothermal energy, and pointing to negative factors which are restraining the application of this source of energy in UK, and to positive factors that need to be provided – to some extent by the UK government.

This article was well thought-out and pointed to action. What has been the feed-back? Perhaps this article pushed the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) to issue a press release on the Newcastle shallow depth 2km geothermal project for district heating a few days later. I understand that DECC have two more shallow depth projects in hand. But I wonder why it is promoting shallow depth geothermal as opposed the deep drilling?

It is a political imperative that the UK government applies deep drilling GTE – in view of the more than 50 operations world-wide. There are clear advantages in so doing.

In view of DECC pushing shallow depth geothermal, the question must be put as to why 5,000m depth – to reach 170°C – is not being supported? All the technologies involved are known, practised and reliable; drilling costs are one-off + maintenance, which replace a regular need for imported hydrocarbon fuels – especially oil with its absurd price structure that reflects/reacts to every suggestion of supplying difficulty. During September 2010, a new geothermal operation came on-stream in Nevada, USA – the home of petroleum consumption!

Could it be that deep drilling technology is proving difficult to obtain? Or even that the latest geology identification methods are – so it may be said – so arcane as to be very difficult to find the skilled people? What about the potential improvement in UK Balance of Payments by harnessing geothermal? And exports?

Professional Engineering did a very good job indeed with this article; I do hope that follow-ups are planned because geothermal is the answer to a multitude of problems – including security of supply, promoting exports as well as putting a brake on climate change.

Peter S Reid, Sandy, Bedfordshire

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