How was GeoScience formed?
In 1985 very few people in the UK knew anything about geothermal energy, or had even heard of it. But by that time, a research team managed by Camborne School of Mines had drilled three deep holes in Cornwall to investigate how to harness the natural heat for electricity generation. The so-called ‘Hot Rocks’ project gained an international reputation for its pioneering work on hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal technology.
The drilling rig at the HDR project at Rosemanowes Quarry in Cornwall
In that same year, the HDR project director and some of the staff created GeoScience Ltd with the aim of both carrying on the hot dry rock research and providing earth science consultancy to conventional geothermal developments. The company was initially owned by a US-based geothermal developer and during the late 1980s it provided subsurface technical support to their operations in California and Oregon. Since 1992 it has been owned by Dr Tony Batchelor, who remains the Chairman.
What does GeoScience do in geothermal today?
GeoScience have been promoting the take-up of geothermal energy in the UK for many years, twice developing plans for deep exploration drilling in Cornwall that ultimately couldn’t attract the necessary funding, then being a Delivery Partner on the development and drilling phases of the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project (Left - the Innova rig on the UDDGP site) from 2009 until 2020.
As an independent consultancy we have supported clients in Europe, North and Central America, and the Asia-Pacific region, working within project teams, carrying out feasibility and due diligence studies, and providing advice to investors, regulators and governments.
We also pioneered the use of closed loop ground source heat pumps in the UK for heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings and have designed and installed more than 2,000 systems, ranging from small heating-only systems for social housing to megawatt-sized installations delivering low carbon heating and cooling in large buildings. We were the first company in the UK to install a domestic borehole-based closed loop system and introduce thermal response testing. We also design and install water source heat pump systems (WSHPs) in lakes and the sea.
Today we are focussed on the promotion of geothermal energy as a source of decarbonised heat and power. We have extensive experience of the technology and together with our knowledge of the subsurface, we provide clients with a range of techniques and solutions for their heat or power needs.
Who makes up the geothermal team at GeoScience?
(click on the staff image to see their full profile)
Deep/EGS
Peter Ledingham
Managing Director
Pete has 40 years’ experience in geothermal engineering, well testing, reservoir engineering and project management. Project Manager of the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project from its inception until May 2020.
Dr Tony Batchelor
Founder, owner and Chairman
Tony has 44 years’ professional experience in the fields of applied rock mechanics relating to underground excavations, oilfield operations and geothermal engineering and was awarded a fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineers in 2017.
Lucy Cotton
Senior Geologist
Lucy joined GeoScience in 2017 after completing her MSc in Exploration Field Geology at University College Cork. Her love of geology combined with her enthusiasm for the environment led her to pursue a career in geothermal energy.
Jon Gutmanis
Consultant Geologist
Although semi-retired, geologists usually love the subject too much to quit, so Jon now provides advice and support to our in-house team, as well as being a non-executive director.
Jos Thio
Graduate Geologist
Jos joined GeoScience in 2022 after completing his Bachelor of Science in Geology at the University of St Andrews. He is passionate about spatial data processing and projection, desktop-based studies, and report writing.
Suzie Doe
Visual communications & outreach
Suzie joined GeoScience in 2013 after teaching Design Technology and Graphics in a local secondary school. She has a passion for creating and delivering useful and insightful communications that educate and inform people about geothermal energy.
GSHP
Dr Robin Curtis
Senior Ground Source Heat Pump specialist
Robin trained in Nuclear Engineering and has worked with the
company since 1985. For the last 20 years Robin has been focused on the promotion, design and installation of ground source heat pump (GSHP) technology in the UK.
Dr Tom Pine
Ground Source Heat Pump specialist
Since 2004 Tom has been analysing and modelling ground source heat pumps and has helped publish several papers in this field. Prior to that he received a PhD investigating weight reduction in automotive structures to improve their efficiency and reduce emissions.
Why GeoScience supports the SGA
Potential users of geothermal heat don’t always know what they are looking for, or where to find it. It is therefore very important to provide a single point of contact, a reliable independent source of information and access to expertise in all the geothermal technology types. The SGA aims to meet this need and to serve the dual purpose of educating and informing people, and promoting the uptake of geothermal energy as a viable and affordable low carbon heating solution.
Find out more about GeoScience geothermal group here: https://www.geoscience.co.uk/geothermal
Follow our Twitter feed: GeoScience Geothermal (@GeoScienceGeot1) / Twitter
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