| Abstract |
The exploitation of low enthalpy geothermal resources in Ireland using ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling applications dominates utilisation at present. A modest rate of increase of 1.2% per annum in the number of heat pump units installed in Ireland between 2015 and 2018 accounts for a total of 193 MWt installed capacity at the time of reporting. The decrease in uptake of GSHP systems in Ireland is attributed to the slow recovery of the building sector, increased competition from air source heat pumps and dedicated financial support for ground source systems being made available in Ireland only in the last year of the reporting period. This has resulted in limited numbers of small-scale domestic heat pumps, with larger-scale open and closed loop systems more prevalent. Extensive research aimed at furthering our understanding of deep geothermal resources in different geological settings in Ireland is being undertaken. The conclusion of the “IRETHERM†project in 2016 identified potential geothermal targets in low-medium enthalpy sedimentary aquifers and radiogenic granite plays in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Targets of interest included radiogenic granites, fractured Carboniferous limestones and associated thermal springs, uranium-bearing shales, and Permo-Triassic sandstone reservoirs. Follow-on research projects to assess the potential of deep, fractured carbonates and palaeokarst targets have been undertaken as part of the “Irish Carboniferous Palaeokarst†and “HotLime†projects, with focus mainly on the Dublin, Clare and Lough Allen Carboniferous sedimentary Basins, as well as the Kilmurry prospect in the Adare play, Co. Limerick. The “GEO-URBAN†Project, focused on the Dublin Basin, aims to explore the potential for low enthalpy geothermal energy in urban environments using novel multidisciplinary geophysical methods to increase our understanding of deep geological conditions and facilitate the commercialisation of deep resources. A number of projects funded by the European H2020 programme are being implemented with the aim of further developing the shallow geothermal energy sector in Ireland. Also considering the urban environment, the “MUSE†project, using Cork city as a pilot, aims to tackle some of the existing barriers related to the development, management and monitoring of shallow resources, and their integration in urban environments in efficient and sustainable ways. The development of innovative drilling, ground heat exchangers and heat pumps are being tested and installed as part of the “Cheap-GSHPsâ€, “GEO4CIVHIC†and “GeoFIT†projects. These innovations seek to demonstrate the potential for increasing the deployment of ground source heat pumps in complex urban settings, in the context of major retrofitting of buildings and in historical buildings. New training and certification initiatives for industry stakeholders involved in design drilling and installation of systems are currently being undertaken. |