Research Student Spotlight: Joseph Kelly

Our monthly spotlight on the work and lives of the next generation of researchers passionate about the energy transition.

Life before Leeds

Before joining Geosolutions Leeds as a Postgraduate Researcher, Joe completed a Master’s degree in GeoEnergy at the University of Edinburgh, where he published his first paper on numerical modelling of deep geothermal systems.

His passion for the field, however, began much earlier. Growing up in Marsden as a kid, he spent his free time in the hills between Leeds and Manchester, collecting rocks and minerals. This led him to study Geology at A-Level in Huddersfield, followed by a degree in Applied Geology at the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall.

Time in Leeds

Joe became a Research Assistant at Geosolutions Leeds, where he contributed to the Geothermal Campus project. After a few months, he was offered PhD funding to continue his work on the project.

His PhD project ‘Distributed thermal testing for hydrostratigraphic characterisation of shallow open-loop geothermal systems’ is supervised by Geosolutions members, Prof Fleur Loveridge, Dr Adam Booth, and Prof Simon Rees.

Reflecting on his experience here, he says:

My time within Geosolutions Leeds has given me the chance to work closely with geoscientists, engineers, social scientists and other project stakeholders, which has been invaluable in understanding the entire system, broader context of my work and how to effectively communicate it.

Research with impact

Joe’s project seeks to evaluate whether distributed thermal response tests can provide high-resolution and reliable thermohydraulic characterisation of the ground, possibly negating the need for expensive well drilling and pumping tests at the exploration stage.

He works with fibre optic cables deployed in boreholes to measure temperature changes in the ground during thermal tests. His aim is to use this data to quantify flow rates and build a hydrostratigraphy that can inform open-loop geothermal system design.

Joe shared that he had long been interested in geothermal energy, sparked by a visit to a geothermal plant in Iceland during his college years, and the pioneering Hot Dry Rocks work in Cornwall. Now, thanks to the Energy Transition, he could study it at a degree level.

He also adds:

It’s very important to me that my work helps to drive us in the right direction, if only in small part, towards a more sustainable way of living with the planet.

A supportive research experience

Joe shared how grateful he is for the supportive environment at Geosolutions Leeds and the School of Civil Engineering. He admitted that organizing field experiments has come with its fair share of logistical issues, but the help from his supervisors and colleagues has made a real difference.

He is also thankful for his supervisor’s trust and encouragement to take initiative and handle challenges independently.

Joe adds:

The access to resources, support, and a growing community of knowledgeable and approachable researchers makes Leeds an exciting place to study. 

Future ambitions

Since beginning his PhD, Joe said he has already acquired a wide range of skills, from optical fibre splicing and interrogator operation to coding and project management. He hopes to continue refining these abilities until he can apply them with confidence and competence in future projects.

Looking beyond his current project, he aspires to contribute to the continued growth of geothermal energy use in the UK, although he has yet to determine exactly where that path will lead.