Press releases

Press releases and announcements are compiled and issued by the BGS Press Office.

Lyell Centre Hosts Parliamentarian

The Lyell Centre

The Liberal Democrat politician for Orkney Islands, who is also a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group for Science and Technology, and Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, was greeted by Dr Tracy Shimmield, Director of the Lyell Centre.



28 February 2019
Cornwall’s granite could hold key to UK geothermal potential

Borehole drilling

Granite from Cornwall will be examined by UK scientists as part of a £1.8 million project in order to help the country increase its use of geothermal energy.

Cornwall’s heat-producing granite has already made the area a hotbed for geothermal exploration. In late 2018, drilling began at the £18m United Downs project near Redruth, where engineers hope there could be enough resource to provide electricity for 3000 homes.

Now, scientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS), Heriot-Watt University (HWU) and the Camborne School of Mines at Exeter University will work with industrial partners Geothermal Engineering Limited, GeoScience, and Computer Modelling Group, together with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership on a new project that will give south west England and the wider UK the knowledge it needs to harness the abundant geothermal energy beneath its surface.

Further information on BGS geothermal research:

Geothermal energy - what is it?



19 February 2019
UK and US geoscientists forge special relationship to tackle world’s energy challenge

ESIOS

Some of the world’s finest geoscientists from both sides of the Atlantic have joined forces to set a course for scaling up the world’s ability to decarbonise its energy supply. The move follows a two-day workshop coordinated in partnership with the UK Science & Innovation Network, the Natural Environment Research Council, the British Geological Survey, and the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado.

During the workshop held in Boulder, Colorado, some 30 researchers, funding agents, policy-makers and regulators pooled their expertise to explore how geoscientists can accelerate the transition to environmentally safe and affordable energy production.



12 February 2019
Exploring the world beneath your feet

3D geology of the UK
The UK's geology can now be explored in the third dimension with the release of free-to-access regional models by the British Geological Survey (BGS). This new suite of geological visualisation models shine a light into the underground, allowing you to learn about your world and see the places you know from a new angle.


5 February 2019
Reducing disaster risk for the poorest citizens in tomorrow’s cities

Quito, capital of Ecuador sits on the side of an active volcano.
Over 50 per cent of the world's population lives in cities. In low-to-middle income countries, more than two billion city dwellers face the threat of floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and other natural hazards. By 2050 this figure is expected to double as cities grow and climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather. The majority of this urban area is yet to be built and this provides a unique window of opportunity to plan disaster risk out of tomorrow’s cities.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is a research partner in a new £20 million project aiming to do just that. The UKRI GCRF Urban Disaster Risk Hub is a five-year venture aiming to embed disaster risk management into the urban planning of four cities across the world by integrating resilience against extreme events.



29 January 2019
Dr Tracy Shimmield appointed as Lyell Centre Director

Dr Tracy Shimmield
Dr Tracy Shimmield has been appointed to the position of Lyell Centre Director. Dr Shimmield, who already holds the position of British Geological Survey Co-Director of the Lyell Centre, has been appointed to the matching university role of Heriot-Watt University Co-Director which will create a single Lyell Centre Director. Dr Shimmield will start this post on 1st February 2019.


11 January 2019
The BGS submits planning application for UK Geoenergy Observatory in Cheshire

Ince Marshes in north Cheshire. ©Peter Corcoran.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) has submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWACC) to site a UK Geoenergy Observatory at Ince Marshes in Cheshire.


21 December 2018
Glasgow geothermal project heats up with first borehole

Borehole drilling
The first borehole is being drilled at the UK Geoenergy Observatory for Glasgow, allowing scientists to ‘see’ underground at the world-class geothermal energy research site in the east end of the city. Further information on UKGEOS: UK Geoenergy Observatories


11 December 2018
The role for CO2 Capture and Storage in meeting global climate targets

Carbon dioxide molecules
Representatives from CO2GeoNet, the European Energy Research Alliance CCS Joint Programme, the Global CCS Institute, the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Association and the European Zero Emission Technology and Innovation Platform are working to raise awareness of the important role of CCS as a key emission reduction option. A joint press release has been prepared to coincide with the 24th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This press release highlights the important role for CCS in meeting climate targets.


7 December 2018
British Geological Survey exhibition brings science to life through art and storytelling

Art of Geology Exhibition
A range of art installations, from sculpture to film, will be on display for the first time in Edinburgh for one day this year, letting visitors see geology from a new perspective.


5 November 2018