The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), Durham University, Shift Geothermal and the Reece Foundation have launched a UK geothermal centre of expertise.
The National Geothermal Centre (NGC) aims to accelerate the UK geothermal sector by stimulating and supporting research and innovation, transitioning and developing expertise, and driving the creation of a policy, regulation and investment framework which enables geothermal advancement.
The NGC will drive collaboration between government, industry and academia, championing the integration of geothermal energy into the future renewable energy mix, as a low carbon option for heating homes, industries and power generation.
The geothermal sector has the potential to be a significant contributor to the UK’s energy targets and economy, meeting 10GW of the projected heating demand and 1.5GW of the anticipated electricity demand by 2050.
Geothermal expansion could create 50,000 jobs for the future and result in an annual reduction of 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
The centre is now actively seeking sector engagement to accelerate the uptake of geothermal projects across the UK.
Anne Murrell, Director at the NGC, said: “Geothermal energy is the foundation of energy security in the UK.
“It is an inexhaustible source of clean heat and power beneath our feet.
“The new UK National Geothermal Centre will work to unearth geothermal energy.
“Already in the UK geothermal projects are providing stable, low-cost, green energy to homes and businesses. With its expert stakeholders from industry, academia, finance and government, the NGC will expand geothermal development, at speed and at scale.”
Nigel Lees, Chair of the NGC, said: “The launch of the National Geothermal Centre today represents a significant step in realising the opportunities that geothermal energy provides the UK.
“For several decades there has been a growing and meaningful contribution to our understanding of geothermal potential in the UK, yet we remain in the nascent stages of development with pockets of knowledge and expertise.”
“The Centre will embrace and build on this, working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure a common understanding of the opportunities and challenges whilst giving a consistent voice and advocacy to fully unlock the geothermal potential in the UK and play a crucial part in the delivery of our net zero ambitions.”
Jon Gluyas, Orsted/Ikon Chair in Geoenergy, Carbon Capture & Storage, Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, said: “Geothermal energy is essentially inexhaustible, ultra-low carbon, its use has negligible environmental impact since surface facilities are typically small and unobtrusive, and it occurs everywhere in Earth.
“Harnessing the UK’s resource will help us meet international carbon reduction targets, as we strive to make secure energy supplies and deliver our own destiny as an energy-independent nation.”
“Coupled with use of wind, solar, other renewable, sustainable energies as well as carbon capture and storage technologies, geothermal energy will enable the UK to once again become world renown in energy and this time in sustainable green energy.”