Nottinghamshire braces for the construction of the largest renewable energy system
A significant step towards decarbonisation has been taken in Nottinghamshire with the launch of a geothermal heat pump project at the British Geological Survey's (BGS) headquarters. The project, funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) and the UK government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, aims to save 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The project, led by Ross Goodband, senior environmental engineer at Pick Everard, consists of an array of 28 boreholes drilled to a depth of 225m. The drilling and heat pump installation are expected to last around three months, with the installation of heat emitters requiring short closures of a couple of buildings on the site. However, careful planning and specification involved in the project ensure that Keyworth site operations will not be affected.
Steve Wilkinson, head of commercial projects at Cenergist, is supporting the project to help BGS achieve net zero by 2040. The project offers an opportunity to blend subsurface observation with low-carbon heating, a vision shared by Daniel Crow, head of BGS Estates and Facilities.
The new energy system will replace gas boilers and provide modernised low carbon heating and hot water systems to two buildings on the site. The project forms part of BGS's Keyworth campus decarbonisation plans and has involved several research experiments, including core analysis, electrical resistivity, thermal modelling, and a full suite of downhole geophysics.
The launch of this project comes amidst research that indicates the UK is falling behind on heat pump targets. Despite the rapid growth in heat pump sales, the UK government aims to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028—a target that is not yet being met. However, the situation shows improvement supported by schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
The BUS and other grant programs are key drivers in accelerating heat pump adoption across homes and small non-domestic buildings in England and Wales. These grants reduce upfront costs and support the supply chain to scale up installations. Various government support schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, ECO4, and regional programs in Scotland and Wales provide significant financial incentives to homeowners and landlords for heat pump installations, some offering up to 100% toward costs.
The geothermal heat pump project in Nottinghamshire is the largest renewable energy system of its kind in the area, worth £1.7 million. Ruth Edwards, MP for Rushcliffe, has launched the project, marking a significant stride in the UK's decarbonisation journey. Continued efforts in policy support, supply chain development, and public engagement are crucial to accelerate further progress and meet decarbonization goals.
[1] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2022). Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Annual Progress Report. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/boiler-upgrade-scheme-annual-progress-report
[2] Committee on Climate Change. (2020). Heat: Building a cleaner future. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/heat-building-a-cleaner-future/
[3] Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. (2021). Heat and Buildings Strategy: Consultation Response. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy-consultation-response
[4] Committee on Climate Change. (2021). Sixth carbon budget: Reducing UK emissions 78% by 2035. Retrieved from https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/sixth-carbon-budget-reducing-uks-emissions-78-by-2035/
- The geothermal heat pump project at the British Geological Survey's (BGS) headquarters in Nottinghamshire, worth £1.7 million, is a substantial contribution to the renewable-energy industry and environmental-science, aiming to replace gas boilers and provide modern, low-carbon heating and hot water systems.
- With the UK government aiming to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028, schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) and other grant programs play a crucial role in financing and accelerating heat pump adoption across homes and small non-domestic buildings, contributing to the UK's decarbonization goals.
- Supported financially by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and various government support schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, ECO4, and regional programs in Scotland and Wales, the geothermal heat pump project is a significant step in the UK's environmental-science and finance sectors towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
