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.
Highlights
Low enthalpy geothermal energy is a renewable energy that is becoming widely exploited withinEurope, especially through the use of closed-loop systems
The work performed by SUPSI on Cantone Ticino was useful to test at European level a mapping procedure to estimate the techno-economic potential
Ground temperatures maps are usually derived by creating Mean Annual Air Temperature (MAAT) maps. To understand if this assumption could be valid for an Alpine region like the studied one, MAAT map was compared with undisturbed ground temperatures obtained from
Summary
Low enthalpy geothermal energy is a renewable energy that is becoming widely exploited within. Especially through the use of closed-loop systems These systems exchange heat with the subsurface by means of a thermo-vector fluid, which circulates in a plastic pipe installed in the subsurface. It is a safe technology which proved to be very efficient and economically advantageous during the years given a proper design and installation. Geothermal heat pumps are usually implemented in new buildings, especially public ones that adopt certification MINERGIE® [3], but this technology could be used to satisfy energy demand in the Swiss certification MINERGIE® [3], but this technology could be used to satisfy energy historical or cultural buildings. CO2 emissions produced by residential buildings in Cantone Ticino are quantified in 562,000 tCO2 /year, of which 449,600 tCO2 /year are emitted from heating
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