(Geothermal) Energy network to heat 60,000 homes (Ireland)

[jpak]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2008/1127/1227739033844.html?via=mr

A SPIN-OFF of civil engineering firm Liffey Developments is spending €100 million on building a system that will use geothermal energy to provide heating and hot water to 60,000 homes.

Geothermal Energy (GT Energy) said yesterday that it intends developing a district heating network on Dublin's south side in the first project of its kind in Ireland or Britain.

District heating is a system that distributes heat generated at a central location to homes and businesses in a particular area. GT Energy intends using geothermal energy, that is, heat which is naturally generated between 2,500m and 6,000m under the earth's surface, to power the system. Countries such as the US, Germany, France and Iceland are already successfully exploiting this.

The company will invest €100 million in the project. The plans include building plants at Grangecastle, Newcastle and Tallaght.

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