Glasgow Subway ‘could be heated with leak water’

THE UNDERGROUND train system in Glasgow could soon be heated by the water leaking into its tunnels as work begins on an ambitious two-year project.

The Glasgow Subway is known for its distinctive orange livery. Picture: Contributed

Glasgow Caledonian University researchers have begun work alongside subway operators SPT to develop a system to utilise the heat from the water which regularly seeps into the network.

Heat pumps will be used to draw out warm water from the soil around the underground tunnels, with the water heating nearby buildings as well as the stations themselves.

Regular checks for water ingress have a severe impact on the subway’s operation, with Sunday services finishing in the early evening to allow maintenance work.

The British Geological Survey estimate that the geothermal waters beneath Glasgow could provide enough energy to heat 40% of the city’s homes.

Glasgow Caledonian’s Dr Nicholas Hytiris said: “We will support (SPT) in developing specific knowledge in the analysis of ground conditions within the subway system, how to take a geological surveys and measurements and the interpretation of these results for locating heat pumps.”