University research could lead to drilling in Limerick
“GROUNDBREAKING” and “game-changing” new research which could lead to a breakthrough in renewable energy use locally is being undertaken at University of Limerick (UL).
Academics based in the college’s Bernal Institute, have secured tens of thousands of euro in funding from Science Foundation Ireland to look at new ways of taking advantage of geothermal electricity.
In simple terms, this energy harnesses the earth's natural heat from below its surface.
It’s seen as a clean, renewable and abundant energy source.
Those behind the scheme - Bill Kelly, Professor Matthias Vandichel, Vivek Ranade and Kara English - could start testing in Limerick as early as next year.
It would involve drilling boreholes in the ground to access what lies beneath.
There are hopes the research could lead to solutions which can heat small districts, for example apartment complexes and office blocks.
While geothermal energy is nothing new, the way these researchers plan to exploit it is.
Explaining, Mr Kelly said they are using refrigerants, which is a fluid used in the heating and cooling cycle of air conditioners and fridges.
“In layperson’s terms, it would be used to extract heat from deep underground and bring it to the surface. What these guys will be doing in the lab is experimenting with these refrigerants under various conditions of temperature and pressure. Getting the optimum mix and testing is in the real world,” he said.
At present, he said they are “deep in the lab with lotions and potions”.
The idea to embark on this research came from a chance meeting while Prof Vandichel and Mr Kelly were waiting for a coach at the Red Cow interchange in Dublin. There, they engaged in a conversation about renewable energy.
They subsequently met for a coffee after a call was issued for renewable projects, leading to this research which Mr Kelly has described as “groundbreaking” and “game-changing”.
Climate change is regarded by many as one of the biggest global challenges right now, and this is what the research is framed on.
But alternative energy remains dearer than conventional fossil fuels.
Mr Kelly acknowledges that during a cost-of-living crisis, the price must be competitive.
“It has to cost less than fossil fuel, otherwise there is no point in getting out of bed.
“Let me be frank, it’s nice to save the planet, but in stark financial terms, it has to be a secondary consideration,” he said.
It’s hoped from the research, ways to identify the cost of drilling will be reduced, as well as the price of extracting heat underground.
Already the use of geothermal energy is widespread across northern Europe, with Ireland needing to catch up somewhat.
Mr Kelly pointed out that it’s more reliable than other forms of renewable energy.
“Unlike solar which can be adversely impacted by cloud cover, geothermal is a 24/7/365 day and night solution. Wind alone, onshore and offshore cannot address our renewable energy needs. It’s why the time has come for Ireland to step up to geothermal,” he concluded.