Low carbon heat schemes could cut energy bills for thousands of homes in Wales by using water from abandoned coal mines, according to the Coal Authority. Around one in five properties in Wales lies above areas with the potential for mine water heating, the authority reported. The temperature of the available water ranges from 10 to 20°C depending on depth. Mine water heat projects are under development in the areas of Caerphilly, north east Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Welsh government is investing in several types of low carbon heat scheme to meet future energy demands.
The authority has estimated that around two trillion litres of warm water reside in old UK mines and has identified mine water as one of the best options for decarbonising heating. Gas remains the primary source of heating, but the Welsh government has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The authority has assessed the potential for mine water heat projects in old workings across 11 local authority areas.
Gareth Farr, leader of the authority’s mine water heat project, hopes to mirror the success of the UK’s first large-scale mine water heat scheme in Gateshead. Such programm operate through borehole drilling to water and the recovery of heat at heat exchangers before distribution through heat networks. Project leaders maintain that mine water heat has delivered five per cent cheaper heating than gas. Those community-based schemes not achieving such results must learn from national successes, the Coal Authority added
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