Title: "The heat beneath our feet"  by Dr Iain Neill

Summary:

"Should we extract natural geothermal heat from several kilometres underground? Geothermal sources could reliably supply baseload energy for heating and hot water systems via district networks, easing pressure on intermittent green energy supply and our limited energy storage capacity across the UK. Yet, despite growing popularity overseas, our exploration and development of geothermal energy is surprisingly limited. The nearest functioning deep geothermal system to Helensburgh is in Southampton! We will first discuss how my colleagues and I are ramping up a new generation of geothermal exploration across Scotland's diverse geological settings. Then we'll look at how geothermal systems might be envisaged in different parts of Scotland and how they could tackle problems associated with our gradual transition away from hydrocarbon-based heating. We'll conclude on our own doorstep: what does the geology beneath Helensburgh consist of, and would it be worth exploring our own deep geothermal energy potential?"

Biography:

"Iain Neill is a geologist originally from Dingwall in Easter Ross and he currently lectures at the University of Glasgow. He has lived in Helensburgh since 2015. Despite also working on the geology of locations as diverse as the Caribbean islands and the Caucasus mountains, he is an expert on Scottish geology and particularly the rocks of the Highlands. He is keen to see us explore and use the many geological resources around us to support common good. Alongside colleagues and students in Glasgow he promotes the deep geothermal energy potential of Scotland in partnership with a range of community organisations."