Geothermics is the science that deals with the transport and the utilisation of the heat stored in the underground in different forms (hot rocks or fluids), depths (from a few meters to a few kilometres) and temperatures (from less than 10°C to more than 300°C).
The Groundwater Engineering research group deals with shallow and low-enthalpy geothermal resources which, according to international definitions, are below 90°C of temperature and are located at reduced depths (less than 400 m).
Shallow geothermal systems are divided into two categories:
- closed-loop systems, in which a heat carrier fluid is pushed to circulate into a pipe loop buried in the ground in different ways (borehole heat exchangers, energy piles, horizontal coils);
- open-loop systems, in which the heat exchange is performed on groundwater extracted by a well and usually re-injected downstream by another well after the heat exchange (Ground Water Heat Pumps, GWHP).
Although these technologies are convenient both from the economic and environmental point of view, the high costs of installation and of electrical energy still impair the growth of shallow geothermal installations, and research should address these issues.
The research activity of the Groundwater Engineering group is focused on:
- numerical modeling of shallow geothermal systems, both closed-loop and open-loop;
- development of simplified numerical and analytical models to solve design issues of GSHPs;
- assessment and mapping of shallow geothermal potential, i.e. the thermal power which can be efficiently exchanged with the ground(water) depending on its thermal and hydrogeological properties;
- policy development for the sustainable growth of GSHP installations.
Details on past and ongoing research activities are reported at the following pages:
GRETA is a European Union regional development fund project funded by the Alpine Space Program . The aim of GRETA project is to demonstrate the potential of NSGE in the Alpine region and to foster its integration into future energy plans at different administrative levels.
Funded by EU Interreg Alpine Space program (December 2015-2018).
Further details here ;
The aim of the project is dealing with the evaluation of shallow geothermal energy as a renewable and sustainable energy source for agriculture, especially for greenhouses.
“Evaluation of the potential of the géothermique in agricultural production in the north of Quebec and in Italy” (July 2017 – December 2019).
Further details here ;
The development of the G.POT method for the estimation of the shallow geothermal potential
(October 2014 – April 2016).
Further details here ;
The project aims at increasing the diffusion of geothermal heat pumps.
Funded by CRC Foundation. (October 2014 – September 2015)
Further details here ;
TRS (Thermal Recycling Simulator) è un software per la simulazione del riciclo termico in pompe di calore ad acqua freatica (Ground Water Heat Pumps – GWHPs) a circuito aperto.
(January 2013 – December 2014)
Further details here.
