The Mining Remediation Authority is thrilled to announce the
launch of the innovative Gateshead mine water heat Living
Laboratory, a pioneering research initiative designed to expand
the potential of mine water heat technology and advance the UK's
journey towards net zero.
This project marks a significant milestone in sustainable heat
research offering the only location in the world where thermal
and hydrogeological behaviour can be studied between operational
mine water heat schemes.
Located in the North East of England, the Living Laboratory is
situated in the vicinity of 3 mine water heat schemes.
This includes Gateshead Energy Company's mine water heat network
– the largest of its kind in Great Britain and one of the largest
in Europe – and another privately-funded pioneering scheme nearby
at Lanchester Wines warehouses.
This impressive setup serves as a unique research environment to
allow the study of thermal and hydrogeological behaviour between
multiple mine water heat schemes within the Walker mining block
in Tyne and Wear.
Supported by Gateshead Council, who allowed work to take place on
their sites, the project involved drilling 4 boreholes and
installing state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to gather
crucial data.
The data generated will complement the research work under way at
the mine water energy observatory developed in Glasgow by the
British Geological Survey (BGS).
This is part of the UK Geoenergy Observatories project,
comprising 2 at-scale facilities for research and innovation into
shallow geothermal and underground thermal energy storage.
The new Gateshead Living Laboratory will provide open-access data
that will support future decisions on permitting and mine heat
access agreements, fostering sustainable development and
optimising the use of mine water heat as a secure, low-carbon
heat source.
The data is available to view online
here, allowing researchers, regulators, stakeholders, and
academic institutions to make use of the outcomes.
Dr Fiona Todd, a geoscientist at the Mining Remediation Authority
who led the project, said:
Our Living Laboratory will provide invaluable insights into the
behaviour of mine water heat systems and help us understand how
multiple schemes co-exist within the same region.
This research is crucial for maximising the opportunity presented
by mine water heat and supporting its development as a reliable,
low-carbon heat source across the UK.
The establishment of this scheme aligns with the Mining
Remediation Authority's broader mission to protect and enhance
the environment while creating value and minimising costs to
taxpayers.
The insights gained from this project will be instrumental in
expanding the market for mine water heat solutions, contributing
significantly to the UK's net zero ambitions.
As the Mining Remediation Authority continues to expand on the
potential of mine water heat, the Gateshead Mine Water Heat
Living Laboratory stands as a beacon of innovation and
collaboration.
By enhancing our understanding of mine water heat systems, this
project will support the development of schemes across the
country.
Sally Gallagher, senior technical specialist for the Environment
Agency in the North East, said:
We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency,
which is why as an operator and a regulator, the Environment
Agency has a leading role in helping the country get to net zero
by 2050.
The decarbonisation of energy used for heating is a significant
challenge for the UK and the Environment Agency.
We are pleased to support the launch of the Mining Remediation
Authority's Living Lab in Gateshead which will collect and share
data to help understand how mine water can be used for heating.
Dr Todd added:
This research project represents a strategic step in transforming
Great Britain's mining legacy into a powerful driver for
sustainable growth.
Repurposing disused mines as sources of low-carbon heat will
deliver both environmental and economic benefits to local
communities.
