Low Enthalpy Geothermal Systems in Structural Controlled Areas: A Sustainability Analysis of Geothermal Resource for Heating Plant (The Mondragone Case in Southern Appennines, Italy)

Marina Iorio, Alberto Carotenuto, Alfonso Corniello, Simona Di Fraia, Nicola Massarotti, Alessandro Mauro, Renato Somma and Laura Vanoli
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Marina Iorio: Istituto Scienze del Mare, CNR, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Alberto Carotenuto: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Alfonso Corniello: Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile Edile ed Ambientale, Università degli Studi “Federico II”, 80125 Napoli, Italy
Simona Di Fraia: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Nicola Massarotti: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Alessandro Mauro: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80143 Napoli, Italy
Renato Somma: Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia Sezione di Napoli, 80124 Napoli, Italy
Laura Vanoli: Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Parthenope”, 80143 Napoli, Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-26

Abstract: In this study, the sustainability of low-temperature geothermal field exploitation in a carbonate reservoir near Mondragone (CE), Southern Italy, is analyzed. The Mondragone geothermal field has been extensively studied through the research project VIGOR (Valutazione del potenzIale Geotermico delle RegiOni della convergenza). From seismic, geo-electric, hydro-chemical and groundwater data, obtained through the experimental campaigns carried out, physiochemical features of the aquifers and characteristics of the reservoir have been determined. Within this project, a well-doublet open-loop district heating plant has been designed to feed two public schools in Mondragone town. The sustainability of this geothermal application is analyzed in this study. A new exploration well (about 300 m deep) is considered to obtain further stratigraphic and structural information about the reservoir. Using the derived hydrogeological model of the area, a numerical analysis of geothermal exploitation was carried out to assess the thermal perturbation of the reservoir and the sustainability of its exploitation. The effect of extraction and reinjection of fluids on the reservoir was evaluated for 60 years of the plant activity. The results are fundamental to develop a sustainable geothermal heat plant and represent a real case study for the exploitation of similar carbonate reservoir geothermal resources.

Keywords: carbonate geothermal reservoirs; sustainable geothermal energy exploitation; southern Italy; numerical simulation (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 (4)

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