GIS-Mapping of Shallow Geothermal Resources of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Summary The growth in population and energy requirement is a challenge for stakeholders in huge cities such as Buenos Aires. Sustainably meeting this demand is the goal demanded by society for this new century. The shallow geothermal energy (SGE) is a renewable energy very valuable. However, it is a great unknown. To overcome this initial barrier and make it known, the geothermal potential of the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin, where the City of Buenos Aires is located, were calculated. For the estimation of shallow geothermal potential, it is necessary to define the characteristics and behavior of the aquifers under exploitation. The heat transport equation in porous media was used on the basis of a geological and hydrogeological model. The input parameters necessary for this estimate were obtained from an exhaustive geological data base for the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin. The required parameters are mainly the groundwater velocity, the lithological description and the thickness of each hydrogeological formations and geothermal ground parameters (volumetric heat capacity and thermal conductivity). As a result, maps of SGE potential were obtained for the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin. This map reflects the viability of the exploitation of SGE in the City of Buenos Aires, thanks to the high geothermal potential values calculated.