Eden's deep geothermal project online
From Eden Geothermal’s Press release of 19-06-2023:
Eden Geothermal is UK’s first operational deep geothermal project to come online in 37 years
Eden Project Biomes, plus new state-of-the-art nursery, will be heated using a 4 km geothermal system, the start of a new industry for the UK
A landmark moment for renewable energy took place at the Eden Project in Cornwall today, Monday June 19, 2023, as the UK’s first operating deep geothermal heating plant since 1986 was opened and is now generating heat.
The process of drilling deep into the granite at the home of the world-renowned Biomes in Cornwall was finished in 2021, and Eden Geothermal Ltd (EGL) has now completed the heat main and plant and is ready to supply heat to the Eden Project and its new state-of-the art nursery, Growing Point.
The well has a vertical depth of 4,871 metres (just over 3 miles). The measured depth – the actual length of the well – is 5,277 metres (nearly 3.3 miles), the longest geothermal well in the UK. The geothermal heat system is a single well coaxial system. A 4.000 m vacuum insulated tube has been inserted into the well, lifting hot water from deep below. This is passed through a heat exchanger and the cooled water is then re-injected into the well via the outer ring.
The heat is delivered via a 3.8 km heat main, at around 85 degrees Centigrade, which will supply Growing Point and Eden’s Biomes and offices. The Growing Point nursery has been built between the geothermal site and the Biomes. It serves as a demonstrator of regenerative sustainability and a circular system in both its construction and operation, eliminating the need for a pre-existing off-site nursery, reducing food-miles and dependence on fossil fuels.
The geothermal project has been delivered by Eden Geothermal Limited (EGL), a three-way partnership between Eden Project Limited, EGS Energy Limited, a geothermal development and consultancy group, and BESTEC (UK) Limited, affiliated with BESTEC GmbH, the specialist geothermal developer and drilling advisor.
You can find more on the press release at: https://www.edengeothermal.com/press/the-heat-is-on/
Energy is what drives us naturally
Eden Geothermal hot rocks project hits target with successful drilling of first well
The pioneering Eden geothermal project has successfully completed its first well to nearly 5 km into the Earths‘s crust. The well has a vertical depth of 4,871 m. Its measured depth – the actual length of the well – is 5,277 m, making it the longest onshore well in the UK.
Once complete, the two well project has the potential to supply renewable heat to the Eden biomes and neighbouring industries equivalent to the heat used by more than 35,000 homes, or renewable electricity to that consumed by around 14,000 homes.
Energy is what drives us naturally
Eden Geothermal Project: Well EG-1 approaches final stage
Having exceeded a well length of 5 km the EG-1 well near St. Austell in Cornwall is rapidly approaching its final stage. Drilling hot granite occurs with permanent losses.
The EG-1 well is operated by Eden Geothermal Ltd which has been set up by three partners: Eden Project, EGS Energy Ltd, and Bestec (UK) Ltd to unlock the geothermal energy deep in the granite beneath Cornwall.
Energy is what drives us naturally
COP26 President Alok Sharma visits Eden Well Site
The President-Designate of COP26, Alok Sharma, visited the Eden Geothermal site on Wednesday (19 May) to mark the start of drilling at the pioneering project. Mr Sharma, who leads preparations for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November, saw in place the 450-tonne capacity, 55-metre high rig drilling 4.5 kilometres into the Earth’s crust.
His pre-G7 visit marks a major moment for the project, which is being delivered by Eden Geothermal Limited (EGL), a three-way partnership between Eden Project Limited, EGS Energy Limited, a leading geothermal development and consultancy group, and BESTEC (UK) Limited, affiliated with BESTEC GmbH, the specialist geothermal developer and drilling advisor.
Energy is what drives us naturally
The Eden Geothermal Project
BESTEC is participating as technical delivery partner in a project part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The £17.3m Eden Geothermal Project will drill and test the first 4,500-m-deep well of a geothermal energy demonstration system at the Eden Project in mid-Cornwall, UK, followed by one year of heat production to demonstrate greenhouse gas (GHG) savings. It will build on existing research and knowledge of the deep geothermal resource in Cornwall by providing greater understanding of the geology at depth, enabling resources in the region to become characterised as reserves.
The Eden Geothermal Project is operated by Eden Geothermal Ltd which has been set up by three partners: The Eden Project, EGS Energy Ltd, and BESTEC UK Ltd
Energy is what drives us naturally