SCIENTISTS PLAN BIG DIG
Old mines could heat local homes
Scientists are proposing five bore hole sites in Rutherglen which could prove disused mines hold the key to heating homes in the future.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Natural Environment Research Council are seeking planning permission from South Lanarkshire Council for the £9 million research project at Cuningar Loop.
Another base has been identified in the Dalmarnock area and one site at Clyde Gateway East industrial estate, both awaiting the go-ahead from Glasgow City Council.
The UK geoenergy observatory site will provide a real environment for scientists to research the potential of using the heat from the UK’s flooded mineworkings.
The research site will be used to investigate whether or not warm water in disused coal mines could be used to heat homes and businesses in Rutherglen and surrounding areas.
The observatory will be operational over a 15-year lifespan and will be open to the whole of the UK science community to undertake research.
The BGS’s chief geologist for Scotland, Diarmad Campbell, said: “The UK geoenergy observatory in Glasgow will further our understanding of the shallow geothermal energy contained within flooded mine workings. It will help us to better understand that environment and to determine whether the warm water within the mine workings below UK towns and cities could provide a sustainable heat source to help power the future.
“This will be a world-class research facility open to all. The concept has already attracted significant attention from the UK and international science community.
“We are in early discussions with local authorities, education establishments and science engagement organisations around what local, regional and national benefits could stem from Glasgow hosting this world-class research facility.”
The UK geoenergy observatory consists of 22 bore holes over seven locations across the Glasgow and South Lanarkshire authority boundaries. Real-time data from state-of-the-art sensors will feed from the bore holes to an online portal that will be open, free and accessible to all.
The proposed project for Rutherglen was welcomed by local historian Bob McDonald, 85, who is also a member of the Rutherglen Heritage Society.
Mr McDonald was invited by the BGS to a community engagement event in Dalmarnock last year as he has a wealth of knowledge of the mining industry.
The retired chartered mining engineer, who is spearheading the plans for a mining memorial in Rutherglen, hopes the research will sustain coal mining heritage in the community.
He said: “I feel very, very hopeful that this will come to fruition.
“I think it is ironic that those collieries, which were the main providers of energy coming from underground in the form of coal, should now provide a renewable source of energy in the form of the water which flooded them after closure.”