Heriot-Watt University Hot Sedimentary Aquifer Heat Network

Date: Aug 2017 – Apr 2018
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Client: Third Sector
Stage: Feasibility

TRE were commissioned by Heriot-Watt University to investigate the geothermal heat opportunity at its Edinburgh campus. The study was carried out within the context of HWU’s low carbon heat strategy which aims to develop campus-wide district heating systems and, is itself, part of a broader long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the campus by 15%.

The study looks at the benefits of installing a geothermal heat system utilising a hot sedimentary aquifer resource of up to 300 m thickness located approximately 1500 – 2000 m below the site. The results of the base case configuration were and still are promising.

9-year payback;
40-year IRR of 13.8%;
40-year NPV of £16.7 million;
geothermal heat potential of 1,260 kW;
40-year CO2e savings (tonnes) = 113,423.