Project details

• Location: United Downs, Cornwall
• Energy infrastructure:
  • A deep geothermal power plant that will generate electricity is currently under development. Residual heat from this plant will be fed into a district heating system.
• MTES heat source:
  • Heat from the deep geothermal power plant currently under development.
• Objectives of the demo site:
  • Characterise the site’s physical properties, in particular its hydrogeology and thermal conductivity.
  • Explore how the local community may react to the development.
  • Identify and document the regulatory issues that may be encountered in using metalliferous mine workings for heat storage and determine requirements for viable heat storage.
• Status:
  • The concept of a United Downs MTES facility is currently undergoing a feasibility study.

Integration

In the MTES feasibility study, integration with the planned geothermal power plant and district heating system at Geothermal Engineering Ltd.’s United Downs geothermal site. Any mine workings surrounding future geothermal projects could be considered as heat storage for integration into any heat supply system, to improve efficiency and better meet varying energy demands. Cornwall’s mining heritage and the public perception that exists around the reopening and reuse of historic mines will be an important aspect of the project.