Environmentally friendly energy source probed

A new study has revealed Northern Ireland's future ability for generating heat for buildings, and possibly even electricity, from energy in the ground.

The Action Renewables study examines the geothermal resource potential in Northern Ireland. Geothermal energy is extracted from the earth for heating and electricity generation from natural steam, hot water or hot dry rocks in the earth's crust.

Director of Action Renewables, Andy McCrea, said: "This study shows that Northern Ireland has significant shallow geothermal resources. These can be used for heating homes, offices and large industrial and agricultrual buildings through ground source heat pumps.

"Although use of this technology in Northern Ireland is increasing there is much more potential to exploit this largely untapped resource. Heat pumps are a clean, safe and environmentally friendly means of heating and cooling buildings and can lead to significant reductions in the use of fossil fuels."

Underlining Government's commitment to the development of renewable energy including geothermal, details were announced of a new £400,000 fund for innovative demonstration projects using shallow geothermal technology or wood fuels in communities in Northern Ireland.

Jenny Pyper, Head of Energy at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) added: "Encouraging the use of a diverse portfolio of renewable energy technologies is an urgent priority for Government as it offers opportunities to increase fuel diversity, reduce environmental pollution and in many cases helps address fuel poverty.

"Discovering the potential of geothermal energy in Northern Ireland has added a new dimension to our work and the demonstration fund will provide real evidence of how businesses and householders here can benefit from using heat pump and wood energy technologies."

DETI has asked Action Renewables to develop a 'Campaign for Take Off' for the development of shallow geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.

(MB/SP)