Ballymena in hot water?
Thursday, 16 October 2008
BALLYMENA could be a hot spot for a "landmark" sustainable energy project, it has emerged.
According to a Dublin based firm there is "significant evidence" to research the potential development of geothermal energy within the town.
The company, Geothermal Energy Ltd, has already met with representatives of Ballymena Borough Council to discuss the proposal to investigate the town's geothermal resources.
Geothermal power is energy generated by heat stored in the earth and can range from shallow ground to hot water and rock several miles below the Earth's surface and even farther down to hot molten rock called magma.
Now the firm wishes to form a "strategic alliance" with council and make a formal presentation on the project which would involve "boring very deep into the ground" to exploit whatever geothermal energy is there.
According to the company there are a number of benefits of geothermal energy which would be provided via a district heating network.
At a recent full meeting of council Acting Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Maurice Watterson, said he had met with the firm.
He explained: "They exploit geothermal energy and bore very deep until they find very hot water. When they get access to that hot water they express it and that is piped across to various businesses. It is very environmentally friendly.
“They wish to come and speak to council and give a presentation. Ballymena is recognised as being one of the areas that would be quite good for this. They want to come along and tell us what they can do and what they propose to do.
“They would like your support if you believe in what they are trying to do for example in respect of planning permission you would support them."
Councillor Joe McKernan proposed that council accept a presentation from the firm which was seconded by Cllr Sam Hanna and agreed.
Previously there has been a number of surveys carried out in a bid to find geothermal energy and some 15 years ago test holes were drilled into the ground at the Glebe near Ahoghill.
Mr Watterson explained: "One of the places where they bored was out at the Glebe. They bored a way down into the ground, around a kilometre down, and did find possibilities for geothermal energy, deposits of very hot water.
“I think the drilling enabled them to look at where there where possibilities for geothermal energy. That investigation as well as surveys like the TELLUS project provide companies, such as Geothermal Energy, with the data and then it is up to them to see what they can explore and whether they can make a business case for it," he said.
In addition to the TELLUS project (an aerial geophysical survey) carried out for Northern Ireland, a report was compiled by the CSA group for Action Renewables in 2008.
The report identified the potential main locations of geothermal aquifiers in Northern Ireland of which Ballymena was identified as one.
Meanwhile, Geothermal Energy Ltd, will make it's presentation to a meeting of council's Environmental Services Committee in November.
