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30th November 2018

AINSCOUGH DIGS DEEP FOR ‘HOT ROCKS’ PROJECT

crane

Ainscough Crane Hire’s Exeter Depot has successfully lifted into place the drilling rig that could pave the way for the future of clean energy in the UK.

Working with drilling specialists H. Anger’s Söhne, Ainscough Crane Hire used three cranes to put the rig into place. The main crane used was a 200T, which was on site for three weeks, in addition to 500T and 90T cranes, which were on site for three and five days respectively.

The lift enabled the start of the process of two wells of 4.5 km and 2.5 km being drilled into granite at the site near Redruth in Cornwall. Water that has been heated by the granite to a temperature of approximately 200 degrees Celsius will be produced at the surface from the 4.5 km well, where it will be used to power a turbine that will generate electricity.

It will take seven months for the holes to be drilled, and it is believed that when complete the 4.5 km hole will be the deepest of its kind in the UK. The project’s success ultimately depends on whether the water will be able to permeate the rocks and if the required amount of heated water will be extracted to drive the turbines.

The project was undertaken on behalf of Geothermal Engineering Ltd, the environmental specialists dedicated to bringing clean, renewable energy to the UK. Nine Ainscough Crane Hire staff completed the work, with the team working closely with all parties to overcome delays caused by adverse weather conditions.

Exeter Depot Manager Ryan Dobson said: “This was a fascinating project for our team to work on, and we wish the teams at H. Anger’s Sohne and Geothermal Engineering the best of luck for a project that could have a great positive impact on the future of clean energy in the UK.”

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