Potential Use of Geothermal Mine Waters in Europe

Abstract

The paper presents potential use of geothermal energy from abandoned and flooded mines in Europe. Some of these mines present high potential for geothermal utilisation of low-temperature water from remaining underground spaces. Energy is the identity of old coal-mine regions that are look black and ugly. Transformation of this into new renewable and green energy from mine waters is not only good are a measurement against climate change but also good for the feelings of people who live in that areas and worked in the mines.
In Czeladz town of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) there is planned utilization of mine waters from coal mine abandoned in 1992 and flooded out to level of 200 m below ground level. The energy from mine waters will be used for heating of historical complex of old houses of mine workers.
Heerlen is situated in the south of the Netherlands. The last mines closed 30 years ago and still the city is struggling with the consequences of the closure. Heerlen has approximately 100.000 inhabitants. In the center and north of the city there are two development areas above two old mines, the Oranje Nassau 1 and 3. The ON3 is 835 meter deep and the ON 1 is 500 meters deep. In first the area temperatures of water in the mine reach 35 C, while in second area about 20 C.
Shawfair of Midlothian Council, Scotland, is a new town of some 5000 homes planned for construction to the south-east of Scotland's capital Edinburgh. The mine is continuously dewatered to prevent groundwater rebound and approximately 100 kg/s of minewater at 13 C is dicharged to a local water course. The minewater will not be used directly in the district heating network but as a heat source for large heat pumps which will be capable of producing hot water at 60 C; this will be heated up to a temperature of 80 C for distribution in the district heating network using gas engine CHP units.