Balmoral green project to power estate with geothermal energy
THE Balmoral estate is seeking to boost its green credentials and cut its heating bills with geothermal energy.
Aberdeen-based Zegen Energy has completed the first stage of an initial two-phase study into the feasibility of extracting power from the 50,000 acre royal estate.
The project is co-funded by the estate and the Net Zero Technology Centre in collaboration with the University of Aberdeen.
The team has now mapped out several potential uses of the technology for low-carbon heating at the estate.
The project will also act as a “first step” in providing a viable commercial heating source to the Cairngorms and the wider Scottish Highlands.
“Bringing geothermal energy to the region is something to be excited about,” said Kirsten Pasturel, chief executive officer of Zegen Energy.
“The second phase of the study will seek to further understand the risks and opportunity for the project and frame a comprehensive development strategy that could see Balmoral adopt geothermal as part of their renewable energy mix.” Balmoral, under Queen Elizabeth II previously developed hydroelectric and solar power sources.
The project is also supported by Ross DK, a Danish drilling company and Xodus, an Aberdeen-based engineering firm.
Iain Martin, project manager at the Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen said: “Geothermal energy has the potential to provide long-term, low-carbon, sustainable power and heat. The north-east of Scotland has a rich potential for deep geothermal energy.
“Projects like this are part of a growing portfolio of initiatives undertaken by the Net Zero Technology Centre to promote and demonstrate the huge potential of geothermal energy to decarbonise offshore and onshore operations.
“The Balmoral project provides a step towards commercialising the onshore geothermal industry in Scotland.”
Prof Clare Bond, of the University of Aberdeen, added: “It was exciting to be involved in this scoping project investigating the potential of Grampian granites for geothermal heat and energy and to apply geological expertise from the University of Aberdeen to the energy transition challenge for Net Zero Technologies.”
Balmoral costs £3million a year to run and only about half its costs come from tourist-related income.
King Charles and the Queen Consort stay at Birkhall, their private home on the estate. Charles has already improved the efficiency of their residence by having the plumbing modified to recycle bath water which can be used in the garden and he has installed two giant water tanks to catch rainwater.