Sean Mayhew

Postgraduate Student, MSc Scientific Computing and Data Analysis

What do you do?

I am a postgraduate student in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Earth and Environmental Sciences) at Durham University at Collingwood College after completing my Geophysics undergraduate also at Durham. I am the president of my college rowing club and enjoy playing football for my college as well as watching live music and hiking when I am not studying. 

How are you involved in this area of science? 

I completed my undergraduate dissertation on mine water geothermal heat using the GEMSToolbox software which was based on optimising injection and abstraction sites for a theoretical scenario using the mine workings under Durham University. I also completed a summer research internship, which was funded by Collingwood College, performing a feasibility study into using mine water geothermal heat in Chester-le-Street as part of a heat network project for Durham County Council.  

What do you love about this topic?

I love the idea of reusing coal mines for renewable energy rather than for fossil fuels. Coal was one of the main drivers of the Industrial Revolution and significantly shaped much of the North East’s rich history. I also really enjoyed working with and adapting the GEMSToolbox software during my undergraduate dissertation and summer research internship and modelling different projects. 

How does this work deliver real-world impact?

Mine water geothermal heat has massive potential to benefit old mining communities in the North East and other areas of the UK in a clean and sustainable way.  Modelling this renewable energy resource using advanced software such as GEMSToolbox to do feasibility studies will be essential in making it a larger part of the UK’s energy mix