“Geothermal is the sleeping giant of renewables: lying not under our noses, but literally under our feet.” [Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of the Eden Project]
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The South West has been pushing its ‘green energy’ credentials: Cornwall’s potential for green energy – Vision Group for Sidmouth
When it comes to geothermal, the possible sites include both Devon and Cornwall [see heat flow map]: Geothermal – Cornwall Council
The latest project is happening at the Eden Project:
Eden Project Biomes, plus new state-of-the-art nursery, will be heated using a 4km geothermal system: Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of the Eden Project, said: “Geothermal is the sleeping giant of renewables: lying not under our noses, but literally under our feet. The Netherlands’ geothermal industry started with heating for greenhouses, and they are now aiming for it to contribute to a quarter of all their heating by 2050.” Cornwall’s Eden Project takes part in first deep geothermal heat project since 1986 – Business Live
As reported in the Mail:
Britain’s first deep geothermal energy plant since 1986 was opened yesterday at the Eden Project in Cornwall. It will become Britain’s deepest plant of the type, making use of the heat trapped underground for use on the surface. Dug more than three miles into the granite, the plant will heat the energy-hungry visitor attraction which recreates a tropical rainforest and Mediterranean climate under giant domes. Deep geothermal energy plant opens at the Eden Project in Cornwall | Daily Mail Online
And in the Telegraph – which makes that point that the effect will go way beyond the South West:
Deep geothermal energy aims to fill the gaps in the country’s green power supply How deep geothermal energy could help solve Britain’s net zero conundrum [paywall]
Earlier in the month, the Guardian made the point that such plants could spring up everywhere:
Many of Britain’s poorest towns are in areas with greatest potential for renewable energy, says report Network of geothermal power stations ‘could help level up UK’ | Geothermal energy | The Guardian
Finally, here’s a podcast just out today which poses a challenge to all the players:
ON THIS WEEK’S episode of Have a Nice Future, Gideon Lichfield and Lauren Goode talk to Jamie Beard, founder of Project InnerSpace, about why geothermal energy could help solve the climate crisis—but only if environmentalists and the oil and gas industry cooperate. To Save the Planet, Start Digging | WIRED