Thesis
How can optimal sites for mine water geothermal energy systems be identified and where are they in Scotland?
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2023
- Thesis identifier
- T16742
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 202092618
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Use of abandoned and flooded mines from across the Midland Valley of Scotland for low-carbon thermal energy provision and storage can assist decarbonisation of Scotland’s heating and cooling demands. This thesis details configurations by which mine water can be harnessed for heating and/or cooling, plus it explores challenges and mitigations associated with conception, funding, project development, construction, lifecycle operation and maintenance of such systems. Mine water geothermal opportunities are present at surface via pumping and treatment schemes, or via contaminated mine drainages, many of which remain untreated. Combining mine water treatment with a thermal energy system provides low-carbon thermal energy whilst resolving local pollution. It is calculated that 48 MW of heat availability is present across Scotland from mine waters at surface. Governing criteria for successful open loop mine water geothermal systems are defined and applied to archival mining data and have created a screening tool for mined workings in Scotland. The resultant Mine Water Geothermal Resource Atlas for Scotland (MiRAS) indicates a total coverage of 370 km2 of suitable locations for mine water geothermal project development across 19 Scottish local authority areas, with the greatest area in North Lanarkshire. Developments in areas affected by shallow mining can incorporate mine water geothermal investigatory boreholes into mandatory ground investigation works to generate a reduced cost geothermal screening technique. A principal finding of this technique is the importance of baseline- and continued hydrogeological and geochemical- monitoring to assess changes to mine water system dynamics, facilitating project longevity. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic signatures infer meteoric recharge for mine drainages and subsurface mine water. Sulphur isotopes from sulphate in mine waters corresponds with standard sulphide oxidation in some instances, but also showed influence from heavier sources reflecting possible evaporite dissolution, ancient evaporitic brines, bacterial reduction or inclusion of carbonate associated sulphur.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Burnside, Neil
- Bank, Dave
- Boyce, A. J. (Adrian J.)
- Resource Type
- DOI
- Funder
Relations
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PDF of thesis T16742 | 2023-10-19 | Public | Download |