Energy from mine water
Categorie(s): News, Sustainable Energy
Harnessing Sustainable Energy from Mine Water
A unique international project has recently been launched to investigate whether warm water from former coalmines can be used as a source of sustainable energy.
The Є20.9 million, part-EU-funded Mine Water Project is integrating Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Heat Pump technology in an innovative way, to harness geothermally heated water in disused mines for heating and cooling large-scale developments.
Two typical examples of former mining communities, Heerlen in the Netherlands and Midlothian in Scotland, will host two initial pilot systems.
The closure of a mine can have a catastrophic effect on local towns and their inhabitants – the sudden economic slump and large-scale unemployment result in social, psychological and spatial problems. The Mine Water Project offers new opportunities to rebuild the economy and identity of these towns, through increased employment and the redevelopment of former mining areas. There are also wider environmental benefits – as the water is naturally heated by the earth, CO2 emissions will be reduced.
Pilot 1: The Mine Water Project in Heerlen
The mines in Heerlen were closed more than thirty years ago and the shafts have been covered by a thick layer of concrete. The water at a temperature of between 17 ºC and 35 ºC in the deeper levels has not been pumped since the closure of the mines.
The mine water is to be used to heat and cool two large-scale building projects:
• Stadspark Oranje Nassau: an development plan for the north side of the centre of Heerlen, with more than 300 homes plus offices, shops and public buildings.
• The centre of the district of Heerlerheide, in a extensive renovation project including more than 300 homes plus shops, a healthcare complex and public buildings.
Pilot 2: The Mine Water Project in Midlothian, ‘Shawfair’
The mines in Midlothian (South of Edinburgh) were closed less than 10 years ago. The mine galleries (at depths of between 250m and 825m) are still intact and accessible. Everyday, a great deal of water at 15 ºC comes to the surface from the highest level of the mine (up to approximately 220m below ground level).
Harnessing mine water could provide heating for a large-scale building development with offices, more than 500 homes and a primary school. If the pilot is successful there is potential for more than 4,000 homes and thousands of square metres of offices and public buildings to be connected to the mine water system
The Mine Water Project is an extraordinary project. It symbolises the development from black to green energy. Places that, in the past, were focused on mining coal – black gold – will now be given the chance to develop into source areas for environmentally-friendly, sustainable energy.
Due to the great significance of the Mine Water Project for all former mining areas in Europe, the project is being supported by the European Union.
more about this in POWER FROM MINEWATER
and here you find more about geothermic energy