the geophysical data to the lithological properties at depth using available well logs. The second objective focuses on the detailed mapping of the fault network in the EISB. Very large faults can cross-cut all the geological formations considered for CCS, while numerous smaller ones can be localised but constitute a leakage risk near storage sites. To better understand this, a combination of faults, maps and stress data from regional studies and well logs have been used to create stress models that predict fault behaviour. The research results and methodology will be valuable for the risk assessment of storage sites not only in the East Irish Sea, but also elsewhere in the UK Continental Shelf. Subsurface knowledge exchange network This year saw the launch of the Accessing Subsurface Knowledge (ASK) Network, the first exchange network for subsurface environmental data in Wales with the goal of reducing the costs for construction firms and planners caused by unforeseen ground conditions. We developed the ASK Network to include a web portal that allows for the donation of scientifically important environmental data, enabling information generated from public- and private-funded ground-engineering construction projects to be added to a secure and centralised database. Government departments, local authorities, academic researchers and the general public can then access these data to provide more cost-effective ground investigations and engineering solutions, and to protect the environment. Ground-investigation data underpin all successful regeneration and development activities and this will create a free flow of information between engineers, planners and researchers. It will also help to future-proof Wales for the new environmental legislation around building information models (BIM) and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Heat from abandoned mines in south Wales The UK’s coalfields are mostly redundant and the deep underground mines, once kept dry by continual pumping, have Annual science review 15 been allowed to flood. There is very little use for this water, as it is unsuitable for drinking, agriculture or industry. However, one novel idea is to recover low-grade heat energy from the mine water via a heat exchanger, to supply heating for domestic or commercial buildings. We have been working in partnership with Cardiff University and WDS Green Energy Ltd on the ‘Seren’ project, supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project aims to help businesses find new opportunities by developing innovative engineering technologies to exploit geo-energy. One of these is the possibility of exploiting potential energy, using heat exchangers, from abandoned mine waters in the South Wales Coalfield. Large volumes of water (over 300 litres per day) drains from abandoned mines across the South Wales Coalfield. Model of the leakage factor along fault surfaces mapped in the East Irish Sea Basin.
Annual Science Review 2015-2016
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