Younger, P. L. (2014) Hydrogeological challenges in a low carbon economy. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 47(1), pp. 7-27. (doi: 10.1144/qjegh2013-063)
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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1144/qjegh2013-063
Abstract
Hydrogeology has traditionally been regarded as the province of the water industry, but it is increasingly finding novel applications in the energy sector. Hydrogeology has a longstanding role in geothermal energy exploration and management. Although aquifer management methods can be directly applied to most high-enthalpy geothermal reservoirs, hydrogeochemical inference techniques differ somewhat owing to peculiarities of high-temperature processes. Hydrogeological involvement in the development of ground-coupled heating and cooling systems using heat pumps has led to the emergence of the sub-discipline now known as thermogeology. The patterns of groundwater flow and heat transport are closely analogous and can thus be analysed using very similar techniques. Without resort to heat pumps, groundwater is increasingly being pumped to provide cooling for large buildings; the renewability of such systems relies on accurate prediction and management of thermal breakthrough from reinjection to production boreholes. Hydrogeological analysis can contribute to quantification of accidental carbon emissions arising from disturbance of groundwater-fed peatland ecosystems during wind farm construction. Beyond renewables, key applications of hydrogeology are to be found in the nuclear sector, and in the sunrise industries of unconventional gas and carbon capture and storage, with high temperatures attained during underground coal gasification requiring geothermal technology transfer.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Younger, Professor Paul |
| Authors: | Younger, P. L. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy |
| Journal Name: | Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology |
| Publisher: | Geological Society Publishing House |
| ISSN: | 1470-9236 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-4803 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2013 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 47 (1):7-27 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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