Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R008612/1
Geological controls on upper crustal heat flow for deep geothermal energy in Cornwall
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Dr R Shail, University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines
- Grant held at:
- University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Fluid flow
- Earth Engineering
- Energy supply
- Geothermal energy
- Crustal processes
- Faulting
- Geothermal energy
- Earth Resources
- Abstract:
- SW England has locally high surface heat flows associated with elevated levels of radioactive elements (U, Th and K) within the granites of the Cornubian Batholith. As such, it is one of the most prospective areas in the UK for deep geothermal energy. Previous investigations into the regional potential for high temperature geothermal energy production included the 42 million pound geothermal Hot Dry Rock research programme, undertaken by Camborne School of Mines (1975-1991). There has been renewed strategic impetus to ensure that at least one of the two sites in Cornwall with planning permission for deep geothermal is funded. The 18 million pound United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project at United Downs near Redruth, led by Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), has recently secured 10.6 million pounds of European Regional Development Funding, match funded by 2.4 million pounds from Cornwall Council and 5 million pounds from the private sector. The United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project will commence drilling two wells in early 2018, one 2.5 km deep and the other 4.5 km deep; this activity, which will result in the UK's deepest onshore geothermal borehole, provides the framework for the proposed PhD. The purpose of the project is to address uncertainties regarding heat production and conduction models in the Cornish crust which include: (i) radioactive elements U, Th and K are not present in sufficiently high quantities within the previously investigated upper parts of the granite to account for observed heat flow, (ii) He-4 production from historical deep geothermal wells is higher than anticipated, (iii) geophysical modelling has progressively reduced the interpreted volume of the Cornubian granites. These inconsistences imply substantive heat source(s) may occur within, or below, the deeper parts of the batholith. The project will use chippings / sand sized arisings from the drilling to evaluate mineralogical and geochemical changes in depth within the granite to evaluate heat production. These data will be complemented by those obtained during downhole logging. Comparisons between modelled heat production and measured heat flow data will be evaluated in terms of the potential role of upper crustal convective fluid flow and/or mid / lower crustal and mantle heat contributions (using existing deep geophysical data and an understanding of admissible scenarios during the post-Variscan tectonic evolution of SW England). Confirmation of deeper heat sources would have profound implications for geothermal and crustal models across the region and deep geothermal projects in granitic terrains globally. The student will work closely with the CASE Partner, GeoScience Limited (located 15 minutes from the Penryn Campus),who are partners with Geothermal Engineering Ltd in the United Downs Deep Geothermal Project. Dr Tony Batchelor is the Chairman and Wellbore Rock Mechanics Group Lead of GeoScience Limited and instigated modern geothermal research in Cornwall. He was Project Manager for the Camborne School of Mines Hot Dry Rock geothermal programme (1972-1986).
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R008612/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £89,489
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £17,480 | £11,000 | £61,012 |
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