Abstract
In their analysis of temperature data, Watson and Westaway (2020) make substantial use of initial open information provided by the UK Geoenergy Observatory: Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site. They also offer criticisms on site location, heat resource size, design and costs, however these criticisms appear to be based on a misunderstanding of the purpose of the Glasgow Observatory. In order to mitigate misapprehensions for future Observatory users, we write in reply. The Glasgow Observatory has been developed as a multidisciplinary research facility; it is not a demonstrator of maximum mine water heat resource, which is by implication what Watson and Westaway (2020) would deem a success.
Highlights
In their analysis of temperature data, Watson and Westaway (2020) make substantial use of initial open information provided by the UK Geoenergy Observatory: Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site
Watson and Westaway (2020, p. 149) estimate the mine water heat resource size at the Glasgow Observatory, noting that ‘detailed calculations depend on the hydrology, which has not yet been determined’, stating that the resource available is quite small
Watson and Westaway (2020) use the resource size in a cost comparison with other energy types in relation to the cost of the Observatory. This comparison is misleading: the £9 million cost of the Observatory is not representative of a commercial mine water heat scheme as it includes boreholes with two types of downhole sensor cable, environmental baseline monitoring boreholes, a range of surface monitoring equipment, surface research compounds designed for 15-year lifespan by a wide range of researchers and planning permission for those, an open data portal and associated IT infrastructure, core scans and production of open datasets for research community use
Summary
Discussion on ‘Borehole temperature log from the Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site: a record of past changes to ground surface temperature caused by urban development’, Scottish Journal of Geology, 56, 134-152, https://doi.org/10.1144/ sjg2019-033. In their analysis of temperature data, Watson and Westaway (2020) make substantial use of initial open information provided by the UK Geoenergy Observatory: Glasgow Geothermal Energy Research Field Site. The wider area benefited from previous data from the Clyde Urban SuperProject, providing regional characterization to a greater level of detail than is typical, making it an ideal platform for conducting research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
