Publications by authors named "L B Stamford"

The annual global growth rate for geothermal power generation between 2021 and 2030 is targeted to be 13 % to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. Repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells (AOGWs) presents a strategic alternative to boost geothermal power by minimising the drilling requirements. This study performed the first cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental performance of three options for geothermal power generation from repurposed oil and gas wells: i) two completely AOGWs (R-GEO); ii) a single completely AOGW (R-GEO); iii) two semi-AOGWs (R-GEO - still in operation but with high water-cut).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We report measurements of methane (CH) mixing ratios and emission fluxes derived from sampling at a monitoring station at an exploratory shale gas extraction facility in Lancashire, England. Elevated ambient CH mixing ratios were recorded in January 2019 during a period of cold-venting associated with a nitrogen lift process at the facility. These processes are used to clear the well to stimulate flow of natural gas from the target shale.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cement production is a highly energy-intensive process, contributing 7% to global CO emissions. Over 80% of the energy used in cement production is consumed by the calcination process. This paper considers a novel solar thermal technology for calcination, to investigate if it could help mitigate the climate change and other environmental impacts from cement production on a life cycle basis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Access to clean water is one of the targets in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. However, millions of people are still without basic water services, predominantly in rural areas in developing nations. Previous studies have investigated the environmental impacts of water provision, but they mostly focused on large-scale urban systems.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Emerging technologies are increasingly promoted on the promise of tackling the grand challenge of sustainability. A range of assessment and governance approaches seek to evaluate these claims, but these tend to be applied disparately and lack widespread operationalisation. They also face specific challenges, such as high levels of uncertainty, when it comes to emerging technologies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF