TOPIC 'Geothermal Energy' on Nov 11, 2008 (CET)
Conference In Kilkenny Reports Ireland’s Geothermal Use May Increase
Testing in Newcastle, part of southwest Dublin, is showing in early reports that approximately 10,000 area homes could potentially see benefits from a system of extracting heat that is lying in a geothermal reserve between 4,000m and 5,000m below the ground surface. Hopes are optimistic that within five to seven years, 15 percent of heating and hot water sources used in Dublin could be available through the use of geothermal energy.
Recently, the Geothermal Association of Ireland held a conference in Kilkenny where these topics were explored and data was shared. The geothermal energy sources in Ireland, up to this point, had been known to exist relatively near the surface at 150m. Geothermal energy from these near-surface sources has been beneficial to “one-off houses” and single expansions.
At the conference, Pádraig Hanley, a contractor of geothermal energy, told the audience gathered that experimentation in the Newcastle area was exceeding anticipated discoveries. So far, tests indicate that similar situations could be present all across Dublin, giving optimism that geothermal energy could be a real possibility to help address the energy and environmental issues of Ireland.
Geothermal heating is utilized through the efforts of a pump, reaching below the ground’s surface to bring hot water to the surface and circulate it through a networking system that reaches each residence within the local area. The water, then stripped of its heat, is returned back into the ground through another “bore” hole. In this way, the returned water will be heated again for continuing renewable heating use.
The final results should be completed by the end of November 2008 and the efforts will be analyzed. The outcome is also expected to divulge information about the potential for the entire Dublin area with respect to geothermal energy.
After this knowledge is disseminated and digested, Mr. Hanley will make a plea to Ireland’s Government to aid in quickly passing legislation that is necessary to move forward with the next steps toward development of a geothermal plant.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
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