Underground water pocket at 60ºC could provide on-tap supply and 'green' electricity for Barcelona town
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 @ 6:33 PM
A TOWN near Barcelona is sitting on an underground Artesian bore well over 200 metres (650 feet) deep with a water temperature of 60ºC and a flow capacity of 30,000 litres per hour, say scientists.
This could open the door to free, natural hot tap water, and also be converted into electricity to fuel the whole of the town, Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
The thermal water pocket was in fact discovered in 2004 when workmen were building the metro Line 9 from Barcelona city, but it is only now, after more recent studies, that experts have realised just how unique it is.
It could have the same heating and hot water potential as the underground artesian aquifers in nearby Caldes de Malavella and Caldes de Montbui.
Geologist Enric Vázquez, leading the excavation team, says the subterranean well is the only one of its kind within the Barcelona metropolitan area, and is 'unusual' because the water circulates around non-porous granite rock, meaning it is fresh water and not salty.
Most thermal aquifers contain salt water and are not suitable for human consumption, although they have great potential as renewable energy providers.
Mayoress of Santa Coloma, Núria Parlon, says both the temperature and the sheer quantity of water means the underground well could be used to set up thermal spas as well as hot tap water and electricity.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com