2025/2026 Winter Programme:

Lectures are held in WS0.06 in the William Smith Building at Keele University, typically on the second Thursday of the month between October and March. Note that the January meeting is via Zoom only.

2025/26 Winter Programme

Up Next:

Thursday March 12 2026 AGM @ 19:00 and Chair’s Address @ 19:30

Deep Geothermal Energy in the UK: Insights from the Pennine and Cheshire Basins
Dr Stuart Egan (Keele University)

In the aftermath of the Paris Climate Agreement (2016), reducing the consumption of hydrocarbons has been framed as a long-term solution to carbon neutrality. However, with an ever-increasing energy demand, this places a significant burden on finding alternative energy resources. Geothermal energy, even in areas with relatively modest geothermal potential, can help bridge the energy gap left behind by hydrocarbons. This talk will provide an overview of the deep geothermal energy potential of the UK with emphasis on understanding the thermal structure of the crust using 3D numerical/ computer modelling techniques. The model, developed by researchers at Keele University, has been applied to provide insights into the geothermal potential of the Pennine Basin, northern England, where both sedimentary basins and ancient granite bodies contribute to potential geothermal resources. This case study will be compared to the Cheshire Basin, northwest England, which is an example of a low-enthalpy geothermal system based on extracting heat energy from hot sedimentary aquifers within the Permo-Triassic basin infill.