Thermal Structure of the Northern Outer Albanides and Adjacent Adriatic Crustal Sector, and Implications for Geothermal Energy Systems

Stefano Santini, Matteo Basilici, Chiara Invernizzi, Stefano Mazzoli, Antonella Megna, Pietro Paolo Pierantoni, Vincenzo Spina and Simone Teloni
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Stefano Santini: Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate (DiSPeA), Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Via Aurelio Saffi, 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Matteo Basilici: Dipartimento di Scienze Pure e Applicate (DiSPeA), Università di Urbino “Carlo Bo”, Via Aurelio Saffi, 2, 61029 Urbino, Italy
Chiara Invernizzi: Scuola di Scienze e Tecnologie, Sezione di Geologia, Università degli studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 7, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Stefano Mazzoli: Scuola di Scienze e Tecnologie, Sezione di Geologia, Università degli studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 7, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Antonella Megna: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Sezione di Sismologia e Tettonofisica, 00143 Roma, Italy
Pietro Paolo Pierantoni: Scuola di Scienze e Tecnologie, Sezione di Geologia, Università degli studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 7, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Vincenzo Spina: Total Upstream Denmark A/S, Amerika Plads, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Simone Teloni: Scuola di Scienze e Tecnologie, Sezione di Geologia, Università degli studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 7, 62032 Camerino, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-19

Abstract: Using an analytical methodology taking into account heat flow density data, frictional heating, temperature variations due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and geological constrains, we calculated surface heat flow, geotherms and isotherms along a balanced and restored regional geological cross-section. Our results highlight the impact of frictional heating produced by thrusts on the thermal structure of the study area, leading to a raising of the isotherms both in the inner Albanides to the E and in the Adriatic sector offshore. Minimum values of Q s in the surroundings of Tirana and the reconstructed 2D thermal structure suggest less favorable conditions for exploitation of geothermal energy, besides the direct use (Borehole Heat Exchanger-Geothermal Heat Pump systems). Nevertheless, the occurrence of the “Kruja geothermal zone”, partially overlapping this area and including hot spring manifestations, emphasize the structural control in driving hot fluids to the surface with respect to the regional thermal structure.

Keywords: balanced cross-sections; thermal modeling; fold and thrust belts; frictional heating (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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