Southampton Geothermal
Heating & Cooling Plant
by Utilicom
Leading energy management company Utilicom, is this year celebrating the 21st anniversary of the country’s first ever geothermal and combined heat & power district energy scheme, the largest in the UK. A geothermal well, more than a mile deep, reaches a source of water that is heated to 76°C by rocks deep within the earth.
The water is channeled through 11km of buried pipes to provide low cost, efficient electrical power, hot water for central heating and chilled water for air conditioning for local residents and businesses including the Civic Centre, West Quay shopping centre, the De Vere Hotel and Southampton Solent University.
Whereas a typical power station operates at 25-35% efficiency, the Southampton Geothermal Heating & Cooling Plant operates at 70-85%. It is held in such high regard that it has been the influence for a new low carbon energy scheme to be launched in Birmingham later this year.
It was also the winner of the Products & Services category in last year’s National Energy Efficiency Awards.
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