GT Energy has formed a strategic alliance with Ballymena Borough Council in Northern Ireland to develop the first of several district geothermal heating systems at Ballymena’s Ecos Centre. Ballymena is situated above a subterranean hot spot that contains boiling water. The plan is to create two 3km boreholes that will enable the hot water to be released for use in a steam-powered electrical generator and for district heating. The system is also likely to contain biomass-fed boilers to provide additional capacity during peak demand and for use as a standby. The project scope will include: heat exchangers, pumps, pipe work, valves, a water treatment plant, control and instrumentation, a steam generator, biomass boilers, and industrial buildings. Drilling is likely to begin in the third quarter of 2010, with the first elements of the system becoming operational in the third quarter of 2011.
