The Mining Remediation Authority has announced the launch of the innovative Gateshead mine water heat Living Laboratory, a pioneering research initiative designed to expand the potential of mine water heat technology and advance the UK’s journey towards net zero.
The project marks a significant milestone in sustainable heat research offering the only location in the world where thermal and hydrogeological behaviour can be studied between operational mine water heat schemes.
Located in the North East of England, the Living Laboratory is situated in the vicinity of 3 mine water heat schemes.
This includes Gateshead Energy Company’s mine water heat network – the largest of its kind in Great Britain and one of the largest in Europe – and another privately-funded pioneering scheme nearby at Lanchester Wines warehouses.
The setup will serve as a unique research environment to allow the study of thermal and hydrogeological behaviour between multiple mine water heat schemes within the Walker mining block in Tyne and Wear.
Dr Fiona Todd, a geoscientist at the Mining Remediation Authority who led the project, said:
“Our Living Laboratory will provide invaluable insights into the behaviour of mine water heat systems and help us understand how multiple schemes co-exist within the same region.
“This research is crucial for maximising the opportunity presented by mine water heat and supporting its development as a reliable, low-carbon heat source across the UK.”
Supported by Gateshead Council, who allowed work to take place on their sites, the project involved drilling 4 boreholes and installing state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to gather crucial data.
The data generated will complement the research work under way at the mine water energy observatory developed in Glasgow by the British Geological Survey (BGS).
This is part of the UK Geoenergy Observatories project, comprising 2 at-scale facilities for research and innovation into shallow geothermal and underground thermal energy storage.
The new Gateshead Living Laboratory will provide open-access data that will support future decisions on permitting and mine heat access agreements, fostering sustainable development and optimising the use of mine water heat as a secure, low-carbon heat source.
The data is available to view online, allowing researchers, regulators, stakeholders, and academic institutions to make use of the outcomes.
Dr. Todd added:
“The insights gained from this project will be instrumental in expanding the market for mine water heat solutions, contributing significantly to the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
“This research project represents a strategic step in transforming Great Britain’s mining legacy into a powerful driver for sustainable growth.
“Repurposing disused mines as sources of low-carbon heat will deliver both environmental and economic benefits to local communities.”
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