Campus drilling
In early 2024, we began drilling a network of boreholes across campus, ranging from 150m to 250m. A total of 11 boreholes were drilled, including two reversible open-loop water wells. These wells will connect to heat pumps in a new energy centre and form part of the longer-term heating and cooling system.
The remaining boreholes will be used for monitoring and testing, including four thermal response testing boreholes and four fully cored pilot boreholes that will be available for future experiments. The drilling site is now actively operated as a Living Lab, enabling ongoing teaching and research activities across geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, and engineering for years to come.
The unique part of this project is the way the University academic teams have engaged with the process so positively therefore spreading the benefits of the results not only for decarbonisation but also education of current and future students.
To minimise risk during the first phase of the project and bolster confidence for any future phases, our geothermal team worked closely with the University’s Facilities Directorate and Net Zero Delivery teams, as well as the appointed engineering consultancy Buro Happold and drilling contractors ANTS Group.
I never expected when doing my undergraduate and MSc at Leeds University that I would be involved in a project on campus like this. A key part of our work involves collaborating with the academic teams to ensure the data that is obtained can be used as part of the university’s future works associated with their net zero ambitions. It’s really exciting!
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