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Preliminary Assessment of the Geothermal Potential of the United Kingdom

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Summary

The most likely sources of water at temperatures and flow rates suitable for geothermal development are in Permo-Triassic sandstones in deep sedimentary basins. The distribution and properties of these rocks, together with the quality of the water they contain, have been studied and their potential for geothermal energy development examined. The results are sufficiently encouraging for test drilling at selected sites.

The potential for geothermal power from hot crystalline rock has also been assessed from existing geophysical, geological and geochemical data. Heat flow data are limited but several granite batholiths have been identified as preliminary targets, mainly on the basis of their large volume (derived from gravity data) and their above average radiogenic heat production.

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References

  1. Anonymous. 1980. Investigation of the geothermal potential of the United Kingdom — A preliminary assessment. Final report to the Commission of the European Communities under contract 084-76-EGUK. Institute of Geological Sciences, London.

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  3. Burley, A. J. and Edmunds, W. M. 1978. Catalogue of geothermal data for the land area of the United Kingdom. Department of Energy, London, 26 pp.

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  4. Colter, V. S. and Ebburn, J. 1978. The petrography and reservoir properties of some Triassic sandstones of the Northern Irish Sea Basin. J1 Geol. Soc. London., 135, 57–62.

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  5. Lee, M. K. 1978. Investigation of the geothermal potential of the United Kingdom. Crystalline rock study: a preliminary assessment of the prospects for hot rock. Institute of Geological Sciences, London.

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© 1980 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg

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Burley, A.J. et al. (1980). Preliminary Assessment of the Geothermal Potential of the United Kingdom. In: Strub, A.S., Ungemach, P. (eds) Advances in European Geothermal Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9059-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9059-3_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-9061-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9059-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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