GeoSolar aims to repurpose underground mine workings and goaf of end-of-life coal mines as gigantic thermal batteries for low-carbon, high-temperature district heating, utilising solar power as the heat source. The project will:
- map out underground mine workings and goaf areas suitable for coupled mine water thermal energy storage;
- monitor and control the evolution of mine water level post mine closure, underpinning mine water rebound management in flooded mines and facilitating the sustainable use of mine water;
- assess the mine water quality and quantify carbonate scaling and clogging effects in HT mine water injection;
- elucidate mine water flow and heat storage dynamics within mine workings, goaf, and surrounding rocks;
- design and develop system integration amongst the mine water thermal energy storage loop, solar energy loop, and district heat networks, with optimized heat demand and supply management; and
- Provide optimized configurations and guidelines for the coupled mine water thermal energy storage systems.