Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Underground heating systems, also known as geothermal heating systems or ground-source heat pumps, utilize the constant temperature of the Earth to provide heating and cooling for buildings. These systems take advantage of the fact that the temperature below the Earth’s surface remains relatively stable throughout the year, regardless of the weather conditions above ground.
Geothermal heating systems are highly efficient since they rely on utilizing the Earth’s natural heat rather than generating heat through combustion or electrical resistance. Although the installation costs are higher than traditional heating systems, geothermal systems can provide long-term cost savings due to their energy efficiency. They require less electricity to operate, resulting in lower energy bills. Geothermal systems produce lower carbon emissions compared to conventional heating systems, as they do not burn fossil fuels directly. They are a greener alternative and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The 1st system in the UK that takes in heat from deep underground making available an economical heating option for almost 4,000 homes is an innovative project backed by the government.
The Langarth Deep Geothermal Heat Network is set to make use of drilling to a depth of 5,275m to draw out the heat from the granite rocks from underneath the United Downs Industrial Site located in Cornwall that is in South West England.
The government announced that its backing will lead to low-carbon technologies, such as air source heat pumps, that take heat from the air, solar as well as geothermal energy. This will be delivered at scale and set up as a central source of energy for the UK.
Ken Hunnisett, who is the Programme Director for Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management, delivery partner for the Green Heat Network Fund and the Heat Networks Investment Project says “Continuing the legacy of the first GHNF projects to be announced in December, over £91 million more targeted support has been announced from the fund today to deliver low carbon heating across the country.”
