Geocore was contracted by Niche Energy Solutions to undertake a ground source drilling project at a school in Filey, North Yorkshire. The school required ground source heating. The team drilled with a specialist geothermal rig, a Comacchio 900GT, along with a mud recycling machine.
The drilling team drilled a thermal response test borehole to 140m, using water flush. A ground loop was installed and grouted, followed by a pressure test. A fellow RSK sister company Carbon Zero Consulting were on site to carry out the thermal response testing of the borehole.
Once the thermal response test had been completed, the drilling team were then required to drill a further 23 boreholes to approximately 140m, installing thermal pipes into each borehole and finally grouting up with a thermal grout.
The project was challenging owing to ground conditions; the ground was sand gravelly clay which made it extremely difficult to drill to depth and case off the boreholes.
The school remained open during the project, so it was logistically challenging to ensure the school was not disrupted and remained safe for the children, staff, parents and visitors.
The team did a fantastic job, adhering to the programme despite the geology and logistical issues faced.