Busting myths around mine water heat schemes
More than 85% of coalfield boreholes drilled across the UK succeeded in accessing mine water heat.
The Mining Remediation Authority study busts myths around the risks of drilling into abandoned coal mines for mine water heat schemes.
The Authority say that the research provides the strongest evidence yet that this low-carbon technology is technically achievable, cost-effective and ready to scale.
The open-access research, Drilling into Coal Mine Workings: Overview and Experience from Britain’s Coalfields, analysed 564 boreholes drilled across Great Britain.
It found 87% of boreholes delivered on their intended purpose, including monitoring, gas venting and water abstraction.
Also, more than 75% of those targeting mine voids successfully reached their target.
With a 97% success rate for deeper boreholes (over 300m), where mine plans are more accurate.
Furthermore, boreholes targeting roadways had a 77% success rate in hitting voids and 85% were suitable for their intended use.
This work addresses concerns about the technical and financial risks of drilling into former coal mines for low-carbon heating, cooling and thermal storage.
Lee Wyatt, lead author and Senior Hydrogeologist at the Mining Remediation Authority, says, ‘This study shows that drilling into coal mine workings is not the high-risk activity it’s often perceived to be. With the right planning, design, and expertise, success rates are high, and this opens the door for more confident investment in mine water heat networks.’
