Two schemes in the North East to provide clean energy from hot water are offering hope for the region’s push towards net zero, experts say.
A project at Gateshead to use underground mine water to heat homes, businesses and venues in the town has become one of the largest in Europe, with the Coal Authority saying that it shows the potential for former mining areas to use the legacy of “dirty energy” production for carbon reduction. Meanwhile, a scheme to take heat from the River Tyne at Jarrow has also come into operation, with the hope that it will cut annual carbon emissions in the area by more 1,000 tonnes.
The scheme in Gateshead harnesses geothermal energy from mine water to generate secure, low-carbon heat, replacing the function of traditional boiler systems. The council-owned Gateshead Energy Company project demonstrates how similar networks could benefit other coalfield communities across Britain, experts say, with a wealth of mine workings from the extraction of coal in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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The scheme - which has had funding from the council and £5.9m of Heat Networks Investment Project funding - provides heating to 350 high rise homes, the Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead) Gateshead College, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and several office buildings. A large manufacturing site was also recently connected to the network and future additions will include 270 private homes, a new conference centre and a hotel development.
Work on the underground mines required for the scheme was supported by the Coal Authority, which owns and manages the disused coal-mining infrastructure.
Coun John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said: “What we have in Gateshead is a legacy from the days of the coal mines, which was dirty energy. Now we are leading the way in generating clean, green energy from those mines.
“Adding mine water to our heat network is a huge achievement on our zero carbon heat journey. We are showing what is possible when you invest in this technology.”
Richard Bond, innovation and engagement director at the Coal Authority, said: “We are proud to have been part of this revolutionary project working closely with Gateshead Council, which has led the way in providing a real working example of mine water heat, paving the way for other local authorities and organisations to create similar schemes.
“We believe this is a huge opportunity for Britain that can play a key part in meeting ambitious emissions reduction targets, and it’s encouraging to know that these communities, which had such a big role in our industrial past, will be an important part of a greener future.”
The Viking Energy Network at Jarrow harnesses low-grade heat from the River Tyne and transfers it to council-owned buildings, including Jarrow Focus leisure centre, three residential tower blocks, Jarrow Business Centre and Jarrow Town Hall. The scheme, which combines a river source heat pump, a combined heat and power back-up system, a solar farm, and a private wire electrical network with storage battery, is the first of its kind in the Ƶ.
Coun Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “We are proud to be leading the way with this pioneering project. This network is the first of its kind and is unique in that it will combine three renewable technologies, ensuring minimal use of fossil fuels. It demonstrates our commitment to net zero and a switch to cleaner, more secure energy sources.”
The network has been constructed by specialist engineering company Colloide Engineering Systems Ltd.
A report by Newcastle University Energy Centre to assess the impact and effectiveness of the project states: “Concerns about cost and security of supply, and climate change, have increased since the project began. New policies from Government have highlighted the strategic value of heat networks and heat pumps in the transitions to net zero, and as such the project has high value as a demonstration of the two technologies. The experience of South Tyneside Council in delivery of this project can benefit other civic partners.”
There is scope to expand the heat network and connect other buildings in Jarrow including sheltered housing schemes, schools and a local hospital. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is funding a study into the prospect.
