Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland

Perego, Rodolfo and Pera Ibarguren, Sebastian and Galgaro, Antonio (2019) Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland. Energies, 12 (2). ISSN 1996-1073

Text energies-12-00279.pdf Download (2MB)

Abstract

Cantone Ticino, a mountainous region located in the southern part of Switzerland, is greatly affected by the continuous growth of subsurface exploitation through the use of both closed-loop and open-loop geothermal systems. In this study, techno-economic maps for shallow geothermal potential of Cantone Ticino are produced, considering closed-loop systems. The work starts with the identification of the main parameters affecting the techno-economic potential such as GST and thermal conductivity. Maps for different indicators of techno-economic feasibility are created and compared against real data/measurements. An empirical method is tailored to derive a map of the techno-economic geothermal potential, expressed as meters required to provide 1 kW of installed power. The produced map shows an overall discrepancy from real installed length data of approximately ±23%. Moreover, compared with current regulation, the produced maps show an unoptimized management of the shallow geothermal resource, since high potential zones are commonly located where the installation of BHE is not permitted and often closed-loop systems are installed where the estimated potential is lower, mainly in alluvial fans. In light of these considerations, the authorization process in Cantone Ticino for BHE should be revised taking into account the real techno-economic potential.

Item Type:	Scientific journal article, Newspaper article or Magazine article
Subjects:	Engineering > Civil engineering > Environmental engineering > Energy resources
Department/unit:	Dipartimento ambiente costruzioni e design > Istituto scienze della Terra
Depositing User:	Rodolfo Perego
Date Deposited:	18 Jan 2019 06:19
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2019 06:19
URI:	http://repository.supsi.ch/id/eprint/10373

Actions (login required)

View Item