Positive results from campus geothermal drilling
The University of Leeds continues to explore the potential for geothermal energy to help decarbonise the University campus, the Yorkshire region and the wider UK. In 2024, this involved a campaign of geothermal drilling beneath campus to gather huge amounts of data on the energy potential for a geothermal system to provide heating and cooling for university buildings.
There is much geoscience analysis ongoing, but initial results have shown abundant groundwater resources and advantageous thermal properties, supporting the University’s plans to develop low-carbon heating and cooling systems on campus. In fact, the positive results mean that additional buildings are now planned to be included in the new energy system, moving us further towards our Net Zero targets.
The unique part of this project is the way the University academic teams have engaged with the process so positively.
Before this project, the potential of ground-source heat beneath the campus and across Leeds was largely unknown. Drilling the boreholes has provided valuable insights into the subsurface resource, enabling the University to make more informed design decisions. The project has also created exciting opportunities for teaching, research, and industry collaboration.
Delivering the University Climate Plan and Net Zero
The geothermal energy work is part of the University’s Climate Plan and contributes to its goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
As the drilling tests have shown promising results, the University has started planning the first Energy Centre to supply low-carbon heating to the Engineering cluster of buildings and Henry Price residence halls.
The findings also support the potential for further phases of the geothermal campus plan, enabling additional buildings to be moved to low-carbon energy and removed from the existing steam-based heat network. This will help the University meet its net zero commitments.
Fostering collaborations, teaching and research
The exploration for geothermal energy beneath campus began in early 2024 with the drilling of 11 boreholes. The project brought together researchers from Geosolutions Leeds, the Facilities Directorate, the University’s Net Zero Delivery teams, engineering consultancy Buro Happold, and drilling contractors ANTS Group.
Pip Hunsworth, Associate Director at Buro Happold said “All universities need a team like Geosolutions! From project inception, collaboration and knowledge sharing between Buro Happold and Geosolutions was integral to the success of the project, whilst also helping to raise the profile of geothermal potential beneath the campus and wider region. ”
The geothermal site is actively operating as a Living Lab, creating teaching and learning opportunities for students in Leeds. The facility has already been utilised for taught and lab modules, allowing the academic team to train the next generation of scientists and engineers to tackle the energy transition.
Nick Boid, Discipline Director at Buro Happold said “The unique part of this project is the way the University academic teams have engaged with the process so positively therefore spreading the benefits of the results not only for decarbonisation but also education of current and future students.”
The project is already fostering further research and partnerships beyond campus. For example, researchers from Geosolutions Leeds are working with Northern Powergrid, LCP Delta, E.ON Next, Leeds City Council and Star Refrigeration on new research supported by Ofgem. The GeoGrid project aims to demonstrate how geothermal systems like the one at the University of Leeds can help balance intermittent renewables to support a clean power system, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels whilst cutting costs for households.
Further information
Featured image: Ben Craven, School of Earth and Environment