CASE STUDIES

• Enact - energy consultants
• Geoscience
• Hydra Group
• Kensa Heat Pumps
• Lollipop Children's Products Ltd
• Scott Wilson Oceans

REPORTS

• The New Entrepeneurs

Environmental technology

"One of the best things about being based down here is the dynamic, creative atmosphere."
Dr Tony Batchelor, Managing Director

GeoScience's geological expertise is highly prized by oil companies such as Mobil and BP, as it's enabled them to save many millions of dollars on their drilling programmes. But founder and managing director Dr Tony Batchelor has long been aware that hydrocarbon reserves cannot provide a long-term, sustainable solution to the world's energy needs. He's convinced that one such solution lies in what's known as 'earth energy'.

The company has used some of the profits from the oil and gas side of its business to develop innovative geothermal heating and cooling systems. Based on shafts sunk deep into the ground, these use the earth itself as an energy source. Not only do they cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared with conventional systems, they're also much cheaper to run.

Over the past few years GeoScience has designed and installed geothermal systems for new building projects ranging from private homes to office complexes. Recent installations include IKEA's main UK distribution centre in Peterborough and the RSPB's new visitor centre at Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk. In Cornwall, GeoScience systems are used in several schools as well at Tolvaddon Energy Park, a showcase for sustainable business development in the county.

With take-up increasing rapidly, this is a technology that looks set to make a major contribution to a more sustainable future.