The geothermal potential of early Carboniferous limestone in the UK

• The thermal springs in Bath, Bristol, the Taff Valley and the Peak District are formed where early Carboniferous limestone rocks come to surface • Where the limestone is buried in the subsurface, groundwater flowing through it creates potential for geothermal energy in the UK • The groundwater could be exploited via geothermal doublets, for direct-use heat, or heat pumps for heating, cooling and thermal storage; geothermal energy can also be used in conjunction with district heating networks • Areas of potential summarised here from legacy reports are: » East Midlands, northern West Midlands and northern England (northern province) » Mendip Hills and South Wales (southern province) » Northern Ireland • Many of these areas are close to urban settlements and therefore heat demand • Geothermal potential is controlled by the ability of groundwater to flow through the rock and is significantly affected by processes that create porosity and permeability some time after the rock was deposited (secondary porosity)