Legacy BGS geothermal models: theoretical potential 'heat-in-place' ('geothermal resources

Cheshire and Worcester basins in the UK contain a vector contour dataset of estimated theoretical geothermal resources, measured in GJ/m² or PJ/km², for resource temperatures exceeding 40°C. This 'heat-in-place' data represents the amount of heat contained in productive parts of the Permo-Triassic sedimentary aquifers. The dataset is derived from a 1995 British Geological Survey technical report and the European Geothermal Atlas.

Use Cases

• Mapping geothermal resource distribution based on the vector contour data.
• Estimating regional energy potential based on the 'heat-in-place' metric.
• Comparing aquifer suitability for geothermal projects based on the exclusion of basins with insufficient porosity and transmissivity.
• Planning subsurface heat extraction projects based on resource temperatures greater than 40°C.

Strengths

• Data is derived from authoritative sources, including a specific 1995 British Geological Survey technical report (WK/95/7).
• Focuses on productive aquifers with resource temperatures greater than 40°C, a relevant threshold for utilization.
• Provides a clear theoretical metric ('heat-in-place') for contained energy in GJ/m² or PJ/km².

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The theoretical potential for Permian aquifers in the Eastern England and Wessex basins was not calculated, limiting geographic scope.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Derived from the 1995 report 'Atlas of geothermal resources in Europe: UK revision' and the European Geothermal Atlas.

Time Range

The source report is from 1995.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-09 08:26:40.800359; freshness should be verified as the underlying source data is from 1995.

Geography

Permo-Triassic sedimentary aquifers in the Cheshire and Worcester basins, United Kingdom.