Impact of Open-Loop Systems on Groundwater Temperature in NE Slovenia

Simona Adrinek (), Mitja Janža and Mihael Brenčič
Additional contact information
Simona Adrinek: Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mitja Janža: Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Mihael Brenčič: Geological Survey of Slovenia, Dimičeva ulica 14, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 18, 1-24

Abstract: To achieve sustainable and efficient use of shallow geothermal resources, it is important to understand the heat transfer in the subsurface of the planned geothermal system. In the City Municipality of Murska Sobota, NE Slovenia, the use of geothermal open-loop systems has increased in recent years. Their high spatial density raises the question of possible mutual interference between the systems. By compiling geological, hydrogeological, and thermal data, obtained from the monitoring network, fieldwork, and knowledge of regional hydrogeological conditions, we have developed a transient groundwater flow and heat transfer model to evaluate the impact of the open-loop systems on the subsurface and surrounding systems. The transient simulation showed that the thermal state in the observed area is restored over the summer, when the systems are not in operation. Also, the systems do not have significant mutual interference that would affect their efficiency. However, as interest in installing new systems in the area increases, simulations of the thermal plumes of new geothermal systems are needed to ensure sustainable and efficient use of shallow geothermal energy in the future.

Keywords: geothermal energy; open-loop system; groundwater heat pump; intergranular aquifer; numerical modelling; thermal plume (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13797/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/18/13797/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13797-:d:1240919

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().