Favourability Index: An early-stage geospatial screening tool for low-enthalpy geothermal assessment mapping in superficial aquifers

This paper facilitates heating-decarbonisation policy implementation with regards to district-scale Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs), demonstrating how favourability tools and geospatial visualisation can inform communities and policy makers’ net zero decision-making. A map-based decision tool visualises geospatial relationships between heat resource, heat demand, and sociodemographic consideration factors. A framework of six core geological and heat demand considerations is presented with additional sociodemographic data integration by the end user encouraged. An underpinning algorithm combines data, creating a resource favourability index, weighting of which is user defined. Capacity to dynamically integrate, visualise and manipulate intrinsic and external data enables informed policy decisions and system design. End-users may direct specific geospatial queries combining all data types, allowing a non-geological expert, policy maker, or community organisation to form holistic understanding of the limitations and benefits to GSHP deployment. Initial findings in Scotland indicate superficial deposit distribution primarily drives geothermal resource extent; however heat demand distribution is a major spatial limitation to utilisation. A key policy implication is the localised resource nature, requiring local knowledge and planning to utilise. Responsibility for realising national carbon targets through such energy planning measures increasingly lies with local governments, to which this tool contributes a method of geoscience-to-policy communication.