| Title | Accelerating the utilisation of low enthalpy geothermal resources to decarbonise heat: an integrated case study of Northern Ireland. |
|---|---|
| Authors | Simon Todd |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | innovation diffusion, cost, geothermal, heat pump, decarbonisation |
| Abstract | Decarbonisation of heat is around half of the energy transition challenge. Similar to other regions and countries, most of heat demand in the UK, specifically Northern Ireland, is low temperature, ~80% less than 150°C and 80% of that less than 80°°C. Hence the use of heat pumps to replace fossil fuel heating is a leading opportunity for heat decarbonisation at all scales of demand from a few kW in a single-family home to MW-scale in larger heat networks, big buildings, agriculture, manufacturing and industry. Northern Ireland has an abundance of useful but currently unused geothermal resources both shallow and deep. There is historical exploration data that can be used to at least delineate the distribution of the resources. These resources can be economically harnessed by heat pumps in a variety of different applications to positively support the electrification of heat and development of the green economy in Northern Ireland. There are several barriers to overcome which can be managed with an integrated approach to the innovation diffusion of geothermal technology and practically demonstrated by design and construction of First of a Kind projects. |