WCNW December 23

Page 36

Advertorial

Cheshire Geoenergy Observatory gears up for debut The UK Geoenergy Observatory in Cheshire is nearing completion; drilling has been completed and the surface infrastructure is now being installed. The Cheshire Observatory, located in the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park, will provide scientists with at-scale test facilities that can be used to optimise and de-risk a range of subsurface energy technologies, including geothermal energy. It is part of the £31 million UK Geoenergy Observatories project, led by the British Geological Survey (BGS), which has also

Surface infrastructure being installed at the Observatory

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delivered an observatory in Glasgow for the investigation of mine-water heat and a core scanning facility at BGS Keyworth. Construction has been in progress since July 2022, informed by technical advisors Ramboll and led by AECOM as principal contractor. With the construction phase coming to a close the observatory is set for an official opening in spring 2024.

3D mapping of heat and fluid flow A closely spaced array of 21 boreholes has been drilled to enable researchers to map thermal transport through the Observatory rock volume. The close spacing of the boreholes ensures that heat and fluid flow can be related to specific geological features such as faults, fractures, pebble beds and sandstone permeability. Ground truth is provided by over 1000m of drill core and geophysical wireline log data,

and a dense array of sensors has been installed to monitor temperature and rock properties in close to real time. Installation of the borehole array involved 10 months of drilling within a 36 x 36m area and to a depth of 100m. This necessitated very careful planning and close monitoring of borehole verticality. Data from borehole monitoring systems activated during the construction phase has highlighted important flow paths within the aquifer, which will be key targets for transport research in the operational phase. Open fractures in the sandstone created interesting challenges for the drilling team as they worked out how to avoid modifying them by enlarging them, clogging them with sediment or allowing grout to migrate along them. Reports detailing the design and construction of the Cheshire Observatory, together with during-drilling monitoring and commissioning datasets will be shared openly online in due course.


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Articles inside

PERSON BEHIND THE BUSINESS Rebecca Gaskell Managing Director of Pure Tributes

2min
pages 46-47

Congratulations to Kieran as he qualifies as an Independent Financial Adviser!

2min
page 45

Hinkley Point C supply chain partner Wincanton shortlisted for five leading industry awards

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page 45

St John Ambulance Cymru

3min
page 41

Business confidence high despite tough trading conditions

1min
pages 39-40

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: Investment flatlining as interest rate fears climb

1min
page 39

Why Net Zero for the SME?

3min
page 38

Spotlight on microbiology

2min
page 37

Cheshire Geoenergy Observatory gears up for debut

1min
page 36

High-Quality, Contemporary & Flexible co-working spaces

1min
page 35

24 Hours with Complete Education Solutions

2min
page 34

INTERNATIONAL TRADE International Trade Forum returns to support more local exporters & importers!

2min
page 33

GWAITH TEG I GYMRU FAIR WORK FOR WALES

1min
page 32

RECOGNITION AWARDS Winners Announced at Annual Ball & Recognition Awards 2023

2min
pages 28-29

An Insight into Continental Diamond Tool Limited

3min
page 27

Official opening of Wales’s first Tidal Stream Energy Site

6min
pages 23-26

Council celebrates its regional win for inclusion

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page 22

UK Shared Prosperity Fund Workspace Project

2min
page 22

Getting Started with Helen Almond CEO of Becoming The Great Ltd

2min
page 21

The advantage of a corporate audit for businesses

1min
page 20

Get involved with Young Chamber

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page 19

Can you support Young Chamber as the 2023-24 academic year kicks off?

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page 19

Chester International School Students gain valuable experience during Young Chamber Mock Interview Day

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page 18

Young Chamber sponsors support careers fair at Queen’s Park High School

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page 18

Sharing research and enhancing learning on Social Enterprise

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page 17

Awards celebrate student achievement and create new connections

2min
page 17

Protos Networks achieves ISO 27001 Certification: A Pinnacle in Cyber Security Excellence

3min
page 16

Looking back on 2023 for Ellis & Co

3min
page 13

Helping adults and business reach their full potential

2min
page 12

Cokebusters named Company of the Year 2023 at the EIC Awards!

2min
pages 10-11

MEMBERS NEWS

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page 10

STRATEGIC MEMBERS NEWS A year of success: Zodeq looks back at 2023

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page 10

Manage market unpredictability in 2024

1min
page 9

Feefo Gold Award Winner 2022!

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page 9

Community at heart of busy schedule in Blacon

1min
page 8

Umbrella Marketing Team: Nine years into the journey

1min
page 8

2023 Events and Comms Review

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page 7

MEMBERS NEWS Unwrapping the law of Christmas gifts: A Jolly Guide for Employers

2min
page 6

CHAMBER NEWS Robin Tudor joins Chamber’s Board of Directors

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page 6

Lunch & Learn Power Hour a success!

1min
page 5

Sales Club 2.0 launched to further support local businesses

1min
page 5

Call for evidence launched by BCC Workplace Equity Commission

2min
page 4

Welcome to the Winter edition of our Quarterly Business Magazine

1min
page 3
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