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The Integration of 3D Modeling and Simulation to Determine the Energy Potential of Low-Temperature Geothermal Systems in the Pisa (Italy) Sedimentary Plain

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Sbrana

    (Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Paola Marianelli

    (Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Pasquini

    (Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Paolo Costantini

    (Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Francesco Palmieri

    (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale—OGS, Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/C, 34010 Sgonico (TS), Italy)

  • Valentina Ciani

    (Terra Energy, Via Lenin 132-56017 San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy)

  • Michele Sbrana

    (Terra Energy, Via Lenin 132-56017 San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy)

Abstract

Shallow, low-temperature geothermal resources can significantly reduce the environmental impact of heating and cooling. Based on a replicable standard workflow for three-dimensional (3D) geothermal modeling, an approach to the assessment of geothermal energy potential is proposed and applied to the young sedimentary basin of Pisa (north Tuscany, Italy), starting from the development of a geothermal geodatabase, with collated geological, stratigraphic, hydrogeological, geophysical and thermal data. The contents of the spatial database are integrated and processed using software for geological and geothermal modeling. The models are calibrated using borehole data. Model outputs are visualized as three-dimensional reconstructions of the subsoil units, their volumes and depths, the hydrogeological framework, and the distribution of subsoil temperatures and geothermal properties. The resulting deep knowledge of subsoil geology would facilitate the deployment of geothermal heat pump technology, site selection for well doublets (for open-loop systems), or vertical heat exchangers (for closed-loop systems). The reconstructed geological–hydrogeological models and the geothermal numerical simulations performed help to define the limits of sustainable utilization of an area’s geothermal potential.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Sbrana & Paola Marianelli & Giuseppe Pasquini & Paolo Costantini & Francesco Palmieri & Valentina Ciani & Michele Sbrana, 2018. "The Integration of 3D Modeling and Simulation to Determine the Energy Potential of Low-Temperature Geothermal Systems in the Pisa (Italy) Sedimentary Plain," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:6:p:1591-:d:153039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sean M. Watson & Gioia Falcone & Rob Westaway, 2020. "Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Use in the UK: The Onshore Fields with the Greatest Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-29, July.
    2. Tissen, Carolin & Menberg, Kathrin & Benz, Susanne A. & Bayer, Peter & Steiner, Cornelia & Götzl, Gregor & Blum, Philipp, 2021. "Identifying key locations for shallow geothermal use in Vienna," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 1-19.
    3. Marco Taussi & Walter Borghi & Michele Gliaschera & Alberto Renzulli, 2021. "Defining the Shallow Geothermal Heat-Exchange Potential for a Lower Fluvial Plain of the Central Apennines: The Metauro Valley (Marche Region, Italy)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Jakub Szymiczek & Krzysztof Szczotka & Marian Banaś & Przemysław Jura, 2022. "Efficiency of a Compressor Heat Pump System in Different Cycle Designs: A Simulation Study for Low-Enthalpy Geothermal Resources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-19, July.
    5. Epting, Jannis & Böttcher, Fabian & Mueller, Matthias H. & García-Gil, Alejandro & Zosseder, Kai & Huggenberger, Peter, 2020. "City-scale solutions for the energy use of shallow urban subsurface resources – Bridging the gap between theoretical and technical potentials," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 751-763.

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