3 hours ago, MBT6 said:

why this efficient and sustainable method is not as popular here as it is in Sweden

Because we don't have hot rock.

Drilling holes is easy and the same cost. Unfortunately the UK gshp industry were happy to drill in clay and anything for a job. There were few experts in it, a logt of bad work,  and the good and expert companies were forced out by the bad ones. 

3 hours ago, saveasteading said:

Because we don't have hot rock.

We do down here.

Cornwall has pioneered DRH generation, still doing it.

The local swimming pool was meant to be geothermally heated, £1.3m later they put a heat pump in.

 

But that is not really relevant to domestic heating.

 

As others have said, GSHPs are either ASHPs, taking advantage of local weather, or WSHPs, relying on deeper ground water.

 

@ronaldgibbons

Your floor insulation is going to be important.

Most building companies are happy to say their designs meet building regulations.

Not that expensive to exceed them where it really matters.

This is what ChatGPT told me:

 

Geological Conditions: The effectiveness of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs), especially those utilizing boreholes to access geothermal energy, heavily depends on the geological conditions of the area. The mention of "hot rock" refers to geothermal gradients, which are more favorable in some regions than others. In areas with volcanic activity or hot springs, for example, the geothermal gradient is higher, making geothermal energy more accessible and efficient. The UK's geology is not as conducive to high-temperature geothermal energy as some other regions, like Iceland or parts of Scandinavia. This doesn't mean geothermal heat pumps are ineffective in the UK; rather, they may not achieve the same efficiency levels seen in areas with more favorable geothermal conditions.

 

Industry Practices: The reply also highlights issues within the UK's ground source heat pump industry, suggesting that a lack of expertise and the presence of poor-quality work have impacted the sector. In any emerging technology or energy solution, the quality of workmanship and the expertise of the providers play crucial roles in its success and public perception. If early adopters face problems due to poor installation or ineffective systems, it can lead to skepticism and reluctance among potential users.

 

Market Dynamics: The scenario described suggests that market dynamics, where lower-quality providers undercut better-qualified companies, have also played a role. This can lead to a situation where the market is flooded with subpar installations, diminishing the overall confidence in the technology and making it difficult for higher-quality providers to compete.

 

In summary, while geological conditions may not be as optimal in the UK for high-temperature geothermal energy exploitation as in some other countries, the technology for low to medium enthalpy systems (like those used in ground source heat pumps) is still viable. The issues appear to stem more from industry practices, the expertise of providers, and market dynamics rather than the technology itself being unsuitable. Addressing these challenges could help unlock the potential for geothermal energy in the UK, similar to its successful deployment in Sweden and other countries.