GREENSCIES Barnsley

From Industrial to Green Revolution: Barnsley set to harness waste heat from abandoned coal mines to heat 1,500+ homes.

In brief

  • Barnsley explores opportunities to tackle the climate and energy challenge head-on.

  • GreenSCIES feasibility study shows vast underground heat reservoirs in abandoned coal mines that can be used for heat recovery and storage.

  • Huge opportunity to harness and convert waste heat to heating and cooling 1,500 new homes, power local mobility and much more.

  • District heat networks provide affordable and reliable heating, promoting equity and community health.

  • The project will dramatically reduce Barnsley’s carbon emissions by 7,016 Tonnes CO2 per year.

  • Economic growth and job creation thrive as Barnsley becomes an innovative green hub.

igniting a sustainable future

Imagine a world where the smouldering embers of our industrial past light the fire of a sustainable future. Barnsley, the birthplace of the industrial revolution, that once fueled the nation's growth through the extraction of coal is set to embark on an extraordinary quest of sustainable development.

By embracing the idea that waste shall no longer be cast aside, the abandoned coal mines, once symbols of the town's industrial might, now offer a unique opportunity to innovate energy utilisation and boldly confront the pressing challenges of the climate and energy challenge.

Transforming Abandoned Coal Mines

How does this vision come to life? Beneath the surface, the abandoned mine workings lie as vast underground reservoirs. Picture an intricate network, meticulously designed to seize the raw might of waste heat. Towering decentralised heat pumps deftly capture the dormant warmth embedded within the mine water, seamlessly converting it into optimal temperatures and channelling it to residential areas, the system orchestrates an unbroken symphony of warmth during even the harshest winters—reliable, efficient, and unfailingly sublime.

But the vision doesn’t stop there. This thrilling initiative dares to invite other renewable energy sources to dance in harmony. Solar and wind farms gracefully join forces with waste heat recovery, generating electricity that complements the warmth from the mines. It is a virtuous cycle where the past, once marked by industrial might, blossoms into a stepping stone that guides us to a greener future.

community empowerment

At the heart of the project, a district heating network emerges as powerful conduit for addressing the interwoven threads of both social equity and climate action. By intertwining these networks with the very fabric of the project, it ensures that affordable and dependable heating solutions are enjoyed by everyone.

This GreenSCIES approach addresses energy inequalities, empowering communities through co-design to shape their own community through active participation in decision-making. A sense of ownership, inclusivity, and cooperation flourishes, forging bonds that support a resilient society.

Through shared resources and collective action, these networks unlock the potential of energy efficiency, amplifying the symphony of social cohesion and enriching lives at every turn.

Prosperity through Sustainable Energy

The transition to a sustainable energy system not only fuels job creation but also lays the bedrock for a flourishing green economy. In a triumphant display of sustainable development and economic prosperity, this integrated approach serves as a radiant guiding light.

In a resolute display of decisive action, Barnsley Council has set its sights on an worthy target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across the entire borough by 2045.

The innovative GreenSCIES feasibility study now presents an unprecedented opportunity for Barnsley to surge forward and make monumental strides towards these goals. By capturing waste heat from the local industry and storing it in the mine water, this study unveils a pragmatic and economically viable solution. The scheme envisions a low-temperature 5th Generation heat network, utilising decentralised heat pumps and ingeniously repurposing the old mine workings as reservoirs for storing and harnessing heat.

Economics of Innovation and Viability

The benefits extend far beyond the realm of the environment, rippling into the realm of the economy. The initial phases of the project promise substantial annual CO2 savings, accomplished through strategic investments spanning a decade.

To fuel this initiative, the grants from the DESNZ Green Heat Networks Fund stand poised to invigorate the project's rate of return. Furthermore, the integration of electric vehicles into the model promises to breathe an exhilarating burst of life into the project's economics. The untapped potential of industry waste heat teems with promise, bestowing vast reserves of high-grade heat that further enhances the project's economic viability.

embracing efficiency & thrivability

As the town dramatically shrinks its carbon footprint, it unlocks the gates to unparalleled energy efficiency, breathing life into a future where renewable resources illuminate the lives of its residents.

By embracing change and seizing the bounties of its natural endowments, Barnsley paves the path for other industrial towns, igniting their spirits to embrace untapped resources to turn the energy crises on its head and create a healthier future for all — a future where thriving communities coexist with a thriving planet.

We call it Thrivability.