UK could heat coastal homes with capillary heat exchangers

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The UK could become a leader in technology that heats its coastal towns by drawing warmth from the seabed, researchers claim.

An international study involving Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has shown the potential for using capillary heat exchangers for heat pumps in the shallows of the seabed, with the potential to provide homes with an infinite supply of heating.

The study shows that during winter - with a seawater temperature of only 3.7°C - it can produce up to 60W/m2 of heat energy to nearby coastal properties. The amount required to heat an average UK home is 100W/m2.

The research - with Beijing University of Technology, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry and Beijing Municipal Institute of Labour Protection - builds on the development of ground-source and air-source heat pumps as alternatives to gas boilers.

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The warmth would be delivered to homes through air-conditioning units, and the same technology could be used to cool properties in hot countries by utilising the cooler seabed temperatures to supply cold air.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that more than 5.3 million people reside in coastal towns in England and Wales.

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