Peter Ledingham, Geoscience Ltd
The United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project is the first development of its kind in the UK. It is located near Redruth in west Cornwall and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council. Two wells have been drilled to intersect a target fault structure that, it is hoped, will provide enough natural permeability to allow circulation between the wells and the generation of between 1 and 3MWe.
Drilling began in November 2018 and was completed at the end of June 2019. The production well reached a depth of 5,275m (MD) and the injection well 2,393m (MD), and the project is now in its evaluation phase.
Peter will outline the geothermal resources in Cornwall, describe the development of the UDDGP project and give an update on progress.
Background reading: see https://www.uniteddownsgeothermal.co.uk/
Peter graduated in mining engineering from Camborne School of Mines in 1980. He is a founding member of Geoscience Ltd, which he joined following six years at the School of Mines engaged in the Hot Dry Rock geothermal research project. He has more than 30 years experience in geothermal engineering, well testing, reservoir engineering, experiment design and project management. He has worked for the European Commission as an expert evaluator of geothermal project applications since 2007. He is a Director of Geothermal Engineering Limited, who hope to develop the first commercial geothermal power project in the UK. Away from the office Peter enjoys travel and sport, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and music. He is recently retired as the drummer in a Beatles tribute band.