Minewater Project
Encyclopedia
The Minewater Project, based in Heerlen
and other areas, aims to demonstrate how the geothermal energy stored by mine water
can be used as a safe and ecological way to heat buildings.
under the framework of the Interreg IIIB NWE
Programme. There are five project partners and numerous European observers who are contributing their expertise and knowledge.
The total costs of the project amount to € 20 millions to which Interreg IIIB is contributing 48%.
The Project began work in March 2005, and it will run until June 2008.
The shallow wells will receive the water from Heelerheide that has meanwhile been used for heating buildings. The heat will have been used up, so the water will fill the shallow wells at a temperature of 17°C. This means that it can also be useful for cooling.
Heerlen
Heerlen is a city and a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands. The municipality is the second largest in the province of Limburg. It forms part of Parkstad Limburg, , an agglomeration of about 220,000 inhabitants.After its early Roman beginnings and a rather modest medieval period, Heerlen...
and other areas, aims to demonstrate how the geothermal energy stored by mine water
Acid mine drainage
Acid mine drainage , or acid rock drainage , refers to the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines. However, other areas where the earth has been disturbed may also contribute acid rock drainage to the environment...
can be used as a safe and ecological way to heat buildings.
Aims
The aims of the pilot projects are:- to supply new, 'green' energy from old mines
- regeneration, including possible opportunities for new jobs
- an environmental solution in place of an environmental problem
Funding
The Minewater Project is supported by a grant from the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
under the framework of the Interreg IIIB NWE
Interreg
Interreg is an initiative that aims to stimulate cooperation between regions in the European Union. It started in 1989, and is financed under the European Regional Development Fund...
Programme. There are five project partners and numerous European observers who are contributing their expertise and knowledge.
The total costs of the project amount to € 20 millions to which Interreg IIIB is contributing 48%.
The Project began work in March 2005, and it will run until June 2008.
Heerlen
The scheme in Heerlen will be located at two areas of redevelopment in the town at Heerlerheide Centrum and Stadpark Oranje Nassau. These sites are 3.5 km apart situated to the north of the town and in the centre of the town, respectively. The two sites will part of one system that will be able to both heat and cool buildings.Heerlerheide
Two wells will be drilled in Heerlerheide to a depth of 825 metres. Nearly a kilometre beneath the town water can be found at about 35°C, like a warm bath. This task will not be easy and is likely to require 350 hours of continuous drilling. By the time the drilling is complete and tests carried out, engineers will know a lot more exact detail about the water temperature and quality, and the cost of using it.Stadpark Oranje Nassau
At Stadpark Oranje Nassau the drilling does not need to be so deep, because the mineshafts themselves are not so deep. An intermediate well will be drilled to 500 metres and also two shallow 250 metre wells.The shallow wells will receive the water from Heelerheide that has meanwhile been used for heating buildings. The heat will have been used up, so the water will fill the shallow wells at a temperature of 17°C. This means that it can also be useful for cooling.