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

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 Cant...

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Main Authors: Rodolfo Perego, Sebastian Pera, Antonio Galgaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/2/279
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author Rodolfo Perego
Sebastian Pera
Antonio Galgaro
author_facet Rodolfo Perego
Sebastian Pera
Antonio Galgaro
author_sort Rodolfo Perego
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-85309967ed994f7fb9a217b16e650a492022-12-22T04:09:41ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732019-01-0112227910.3390/en12020279en12020279Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern SwitzerlandRodolfo Perego0Sebastian Pera1Antonio Galgaro2Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH-6952 Canobbio, SwitzerlandInstitute of Earth Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland SUPSI, Campus Trevano, CH-6952 Canobbio, SwitzerlandDepartment of Geosciences, University of Padova, Via Gradenigo, 6, 35131 Padova, ItalyCantone 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.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/2/279Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)mappingpotentialSwitzerlandpayback periodshallow geothermal
spellingShingle Rodolfo Perego
Sebastian Pera
Antonio Galgaro
Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
Energies
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
mapping
potential
Switzerland
payback period
shallow geothermal
title Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
title_full Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
title_fullStr Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
title_full_unstemmed Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
title_short Techno-Economic Mapping for the Improvement of Shallow Geothermal Management in Southern Switzerland
title_sort techno economic mapping for the improvement of shallow geothermal management in southern switzerland
topic Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP)
mapping
potential
Switzerland
payback period
shallow geothermal
url http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/2/279
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