Geothermal on the ground – a practitioner's perspective

Hosts Matt and Charlotte are joined by Karl Farrow, Entrepreneur, Technology Investor and Founder of Geothermal Energy Development Company “Ceraphi Energy”. He has 40 years of experience in the global energy sector. He is also the author of the book “From Punk Rock to Geothermal Shock”. The discussion covers some of the ground-breaking geothermal projects that Karl has spear-headed, including repurposing old oil and gas wells for geothermal. Karl discusses their wider application, technology and innovation in geothermal, his experience engaging with the public and of navigating the financials of geothermal projects.

Hosts Matt and Charlotte are joined by Neil McLoughlin,geothermal and heat decarbonization lead at the Renewable Energy Association. What needs to happen policy wise to push Geothermal forward in the UK, in terms of regulation, de-risking and government messaging.  What can we learn from other countries? Where does geothermal fit in the renewable landscape and what does it offer? How do we enact change and what are Neil's top tips for getting messages across to MPs and government ministers to help to create that change?

Hosts Matt and Charlotte are joined by guest, Aberdeen entrepreneur Innes Auchterlonie to discuss the UK Oil and Gas Sector. From its peak to current day, and the potential for geothermal to transition the skilled workforce as the oil and gas basin declines. The conversation considers the synergy of the classic drilling and engineering jobs through to Innes’ own area of technology and innovation. Innes also gives his thoughts on what needs to happen next for Geothermal to fulfil its potential in the UK.

Hosts Matt and Charlotte are joined by guest Professor Jon Gluyas to discuss why the UK is ripe for geothermal.From the geology of the UK to its unique skills and knowledge base from its oil and gas sector, this episode establishes geothermal’s mass applicability in the UK and then focuses on some of the most promising settings as the best places to make quick progress.Jon talks about some of his favourite geothermal projects in the UK and suggests what needs to happen next. From learning lessons from countries that are further ahead than the UK, to dealing with some of the stumbling blocks to the rollout of geothermal, touching on culture, politics and technology.

Hosts Matthew Killeya and Charlotte Adams discuss the vulnerability of the UK to geopolitical shocks as a net importer of oil and gas, citing recent events in Iran and Ukraine. They explore geothermal as a potential solution to the UK's energy insecurity by alternatively generating our own power and heat in the UK via geothermal. They touch on some existing successful geothermal projects in the UK and discuss the potential to rapidly deploy geothermal at scale and create a new industry with thousands of skilled jobs.