Geothermal power runs groundbreaking Glasgow venue project

Installed on site, the technology draws in naturally occurring energy and stores for later use, cutting National Grid and fossil fuel reliance, along with energy bills. 

A new heating and cooling system developed for a Scottish nightclub, which effectively takes heat generated by movement on a dancefloor and turns this into energy which can be used for climate control at a later date, has now entered service.

The so-called BODYHEAT technology has been developed by TownRock Energy, a specialist in geothermal power, engineering consultancy Harley Haddow, and Glasgow’s SWG3 venue. Costing around £600,000, one-third of the funding comes from the business itself, with the remainder split between government initiatives the Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme and District Heating Loan Fund.

Although it is still too early to talk about actual impact, those involved in the project, which is now fully functioning, have high hopes in terms of emissions and cost savings. Heating and cooling bills are expected to see a four-fold fall, and 70tonnes of carbon waste will e saved each year. 

However, there are some drawbacks to widespread deployment. Namely building uses – whether these require a combination of cooling and heating at different times – and the regularity of that use. Those that only need one element of that twin functionality, or only have people on-site once or twice a week, may find this is not the solution for them. Similarly, those on short-term leases will also struggle given the size of investment involved, even with part-funding.

Nevertheless, other approaches based on the fundamental concept may be workable, especially given the increase in low carbon heat networks in major cities across the country, which are often open for businesses  to tap into. For more information, visit BODYHEAT online, where you can find a questionnaire used to ascertain the suitability of specific buildings.

Image: Hulki Okan Tabak