I was shocked to hear that Dr. Tony Batchelor, the 'father of Cornish Geothermal Energy' died on Monday in Truro, aged 74.
In 1985 he co-founded Geoscience Ltd, based in Falmouth, to provide geomechanics engineering for both the planning and execution phases for many well operators worldwide. From 2014 he was Chairman and Wellbore Rock Mechanics Group Lead at GeoScience Ltd.
Tony had more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and was recognised as a world expert on geothermal energy. At GeoScience Ltd. he worked on geothermal projects around the world, including Japan, Turkey, Indonesia and the USA. He served as a Member of Technical Advisory Board at KUTh Energy Limited and as a Founder Member of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), serving on the IGA Board. He was a consultant to the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project, which commenced drilling in November 2018 (posting of 1st November 2018).
If all that wasn't enough, he never forgot his CSM roots, and was Chairman of the CSM Trust, passing on to me snippets of information which I have used extensively on the blog to show the progression of CSM. He has been a Cornish Mining Sundowner stalwart and I an sure that all his friends in Cornwall, and around the world will miss him and I invite them all to add their appreciations and memories of a truly great scientist to this posting.
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| My last photo of Tony (left) at the July sundowner in Falmouth |
Our sincere condolences to Tony's wife Linda, their son and daughter, James and Charlotte, and grandchildren Emily, Madeleine and Ottilie.
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Such a shock of sad news. Tony will be greatly missed for all his contributions in work and play. It was always a pleasure to chat with Tony in whatever sphere it happened to be. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family.
ReplyDeleteBest regards
Nick Slade
Such a kind gent.
ReplyDeleteI shall never forget my first meeting with Tony, back in 1974. He asked me ‘did you use computers for your Ph.D.?’ I said ‘yes’. ‘Good’ he said. ‘You are teaching from next week’!
ReplyDeleteWe remained friends until our retirement.
Names would be great
DeleteAbsoloutely shocked and saddened by the bitter news. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda and the family. Like many I had the honour of being taught, influenced, inspired and befriended by Tony Batchelor during my 8 years at CSM and beyond for many years after. What a dedicated man, lecturer and Influencer! Introduced and up graded both Rock mechanics and Computing initially followed by taking CSM into the Energy field. Introduced the ISRM (International Society of Rock Mechanics) to CSM followed by linking aspects of this to computing. Upgraded card readers to ticker tapes, what a jump, worked tirelessly late into the night at the School at the "expence of eating carbonised dinners" I can recollect many early day stories from Sept 1973 onwards, the passing over of the computing mantle to Dr Kantarisis who continued to work with Tony for many years after that and who also jointly linked mining with computing. It was a wonderful time, Mining was being uplifted with the introduction of new and fresh ideas, Tony Batchelor excelled in the field of innovating ideas, wow what a man! Given half a chance he would have invented a scheme to produce energy minerals from the Carnmellis Granite batholite "the biggest energy mineral deposit in the world" !! As it happened he took a more cautious route and decided that drilling into the granite to extract heat was a far safer bet and more likely to succed during our lifetime! Hence the hot rock project. It all started at Penryn Quarry where immediate access to start the work at a very manageable low cost, without any grants, could be carried out. Convincing the powers that be including Dr Peter Hackett was no mean task but I am sure thet his enthaustic presentation to the man that brought him to Cornwall must have been so good that he agreed and later get on board throwing his full weight behing Tony's ideas Small holes were drilled to pump water and work out the friction head loss loss.It was a brilliant time and Tony Batchelor was at the forefront of uplifting CSM along with Dr Peter Hackett and others such as Bice Mitchell, Dave Osborne, and later Barry Wills Dr Kantarisis, Ron Gasgell, Ron Hooper, John Shrimpton, Alan Bromley, Dr Ed Ferrett and others who I have not named but were equally active.The legasy left behind by Tony Batchelor will live on, certainly for me he was one of my favourite lecturers and advisors. He remained plain speaking and invited scientific argument of the highest order in all fields of Mining including my own subject of Tailings disposal and Dams! His ability to distil complex information was incredible. Very few scientists are blessed with this ability. May you rest in peace.
DeleteA great guy and fellow prop forward.
ReplyDeleteI was greatly saddened to hear of the death of "Doc Batch". Tony encouraged me in my career from being my third year project supervisor at CSM and helping me further in life to enter the oil patch. He later assisted me in the Geothermal business in Portugal. You could always get a straight answer and an honest opinion from him. He was a guiding light to me in some difficult times.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to the family.
I only met Tony once, and fairly recently. Everything I'd be told about him I found true. He was a great mind, listener and adviser. It's very sad news for Cornwall and beyond, and also to know I won't have the chance to meet him again.
ReplyDeleteMatt Pankhurst
Shocked to hear the news. Great chap who will be very sadly missed.
ReplyDeleteTony changed the course of my life by offering me a job on the CSM Hot Dry Rock project in 1980, and I have worked for him, and with him, ever since. He was an extraordinary man who influenced, educated and inspired many people. As well as being responsible for putting Cornwall on the geothermal map long before the technology became widely known about in the UK, he was also able to apply his knowledge, skills and experience to other disciplines. He was as highly thought of in the fields of oil & gas geomechanics and geological disposal of radioactive wastes as he was in geothermal.
ReplyDeleteAll of us at GeoScience have lost a leader, mentor, supporter and friend and we will miss him dreadfully.
I had the privilege to know Tony for many years, initially via Richard Mozley Ltd and subsequently via his activity with Hot Rocks and his keen enthusiasm to attend the Cornish Sundowner. His leadership and innovative mind will always demand my respect, very much like the late Richard Mozley MBE. He was a great man who we shall all miss greatly and will always see him as one of Cornwall's great innovators.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences and thoughts are with the immediate family.
Tony was an inspiration to all he taught and mentored. One year I remember the whole student class donning "Semi-Isotropic Half-Space" sweat shirts that we had made. He inspired us all to just love rocks and rock mechanics! Thank you Tony. You will be missed by SO many of us - RIP my good friend and mentor.
ReplyDeleteI remember the T-shirts, but I think you've forgotten a word, Mark - Semi-infinite Isotropic Half-Space?
DeleteSam Wood
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Tony. A lovely man, he will be greatly missed.
What a man! Tony was my Rock Mechanics lecturer and at the end of my final lecture he said “I cannot tell you anymore as we have reached the Edge of Science”. I was stunned to realise that Tony had managed to get me there, despite my meagre efforts. Later on Tony gave me a commission with the words “you can do that!”. His ability to inspire was second to none! Thank you Tony
ReplyDeleteI've just caught up with this sad news. I'm another former student with happy memories of Tony's teaching over 40 years ago, and I was always pleased to catch up with him at Sundowners and other social functions.
ReplyDeleteI always remember Tony as being "hands-on", both in the labs and out on site, and quite happy to teach us the basics of soil and rock mechanics while he was so busy with the Geothermal project.
My year spent some of our practical sessions helping with the initial site-clearance at Rosemanowes. All part of the unique CSM education! I also remember logging some surface holes at Holman's test mine in the early stages of the project. A photo of the diamond drill rig in Holman's quarry appeared in one of the CSM Prospectuses at the time, with "Jim the Van's" Bedford minibus in the background!
I'm a long way from Custom House Quay at the moment, but I'll have a bottle of Proper Job in Tony's memory at the weekend.
Sam Wood
I was so sad to hear the sudden passing of Tony. Having worked for him for over 10 years I spent so much time with him that I never considered that he wouldn’t be there the next time I was at an event or if I dropped into the office for a quick catch up. I feel so sorry that I wasn’t able to do that more often in the last couple of years. He was someone you could always rely on to be that familiar face at a dinner or event, and always had a few words and a rye chuckle for everyone. He was someone who knew everyone and never forgot a name - the definition of ‘mover and shaker’ in the mining and earth science industries. Old hat, but held in high estimation by younger folk who may not have even met him, he was a great boss. His breadth of knowledge about not just his chosen field, but just about anything of interest to him was amazing, but the fact that he could also run a successful business and take some time to enjoy a pint and watch a game of rugby really shows how unique he was. Of course, this was recognised in the many places of trust he was installed at, not least being the Head of the CSM Trust for so many years. I am sure there are many people will no doubt try to emulate his approach, but he was placed in those positions because if you ever met Tony, from the very first time, you knew he was passionate and trustworthy and not in it for the position, but just because he loved that cause so much. He shared he knowledge liberally and loved to teach hard concepts, often taking different approaches until the student understood what he was trying to impart - a skill that even some professional teachers are unable to muster. But at the same time was always learning and never made a person asking questions feel stupid - and tried to understand where they were coming from, I think he probably enjoyed the challenge of teaching a dullard like me! I know he will be sorely missed by everyone who has the pleasure of knowing him. My sincerest condolences to Linda, his family and his colleagues at GeoScience at this sad time.
ReplyDeleteI am so saddened to read this. Tony was such a lovely guy, he showed a genuine interest in what we were doing and I will never forget the help he gave when I was starting out.
ReplyDeleteRIP Tony
Chris Bryan
So sad to hear , Tony was an inspiration to us all , always had time to talk and listen . Our thoughts are with Linda and the family at this sad time . Scott and Claire Yelland
ReplyDeleteTony’s contribution to Camborne School of Mines as Chair of the Camborne School of Mines Trust was of enormous value. It was a great pleasure and privilege to have been able to work with Tony and enjoy his support and friendship. His was a wise steward of CSM Trust business, kind and generous towards students, able to listen to all points of view and (somehow) find a way forward, and his sense of humour made time with Tony fun. Tony was a rock (pun intended?), a truly respected figurehead who will have a long-lasting legacy. During a turbulent period when I was Head of CSM, the external support from Tony and the Trust was, I am sure, instrumental in being able to safeguard CSM as a multidisciplinary department.
ReplyDeleteFrances Wall
This is a very sad day, I have known Tony for over 40 years as lecturer, colleague and friend. Tony has always been there and will be sorely missed by all he knew or dealt with. He was a rare mixture of being academically smart, commercially aware and always had time for assisting young students in pursuing their careers. The mining community has lost a great supporter and advocate, not only here in Cornwall but globally as well.
ReplyDeleteNick Wilshaw, gsl, UK