Preliminary assessment of optimum sustenance potential for geothermal systems within the London Basin 1: Development of groundwater flow model

The sustainability of the geothermal systems where heat exchanger is utilized to extract and discharge differential heat from, or into groundwater for heating and cooling during the winter and summer periods, largely depends on obtaining consistent temperature difference between the groundwate abstraction and re-injection locations. However, occurrence of such systems at close proximity can potentially cause derogatory effects between the individual systems, as well as the systems and the environment. The aim of this paper is to present the development of a flow model that underpins the framework upon which the overall assessment of the capability of the London Basin in supporting geothermal systems is based. This includes the characterization of the study area, as well as transformation of an existing Integrated Catchment Management Model into a Feflow model, which is thought to offer a more robust capability for use as a tool in the subsequent assessment.