Use of deep geothermal energy to supply heat to a village in Scotland

Abstract This paper explores the possibility of utilising geothermal energy in an existing district heat network in the Aberdeenshire village of Banchory to provide hot water through the creation of a hypothetical geothermal well. It considers a simulated deep geothermal single well (DGSW), commonly referred to as a coaxial system with a depth of 5000 m. The hypothetical well was created using the dimensions of existing oil wells which, once they have reached the end of their lifecycle, hold the potential to be repurposed for geothermal use. It was found that the thermal output of the well decreases over time due to the drop in local rock temperature which is a result of thermal extraction. Given this, the thermal output after a year of operation was calculated and found that, to directly supply the Banchory heat network, a volumetric flow rate of 4.8m 3 /hr was required. After a year of operation, the site's peak thermal production was 108.4 kW which equates to a production of more than 949.9 MWh over the first operational year.