Students will be provided with basics of geology, hydrogeology, and applied geophysics to understand the phases of characterization of geothermal reservoirs (extension, feeding, temperatures, extractable fluid flow rates). Different types of geothermal reservoirs (dominant steam, dry steam, wet steam, and dominant liquid; hot dry rock reservoirs, and enhanced geothermal systems) and geothermal plant types (dry steam, flash, binary) will be presented. Regarding plant types, the focus will be on binary plants and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) turbines, applicable in a greater number of sites. Additionally, the potential for reusing depleted oil & gas wells for geothermal purposes will be discussed. Simplified calculation models will be presented for a preliminary techno-economic feasibility assessment of a geothermal power plant. Flow and heat transport equations in porous and fractured media will be explained, highlighting aspects that mostly affect geothermal reservoirs and their exploitation. Basic elements of numerical modelling of high-enthalpy geothermal reservoirs will be addressed. This part of the course will have a practical application in teaching the finite element code FEFLOW for coupled simulation of flow and heat transport, aimed at evaluating geothermal well fields. Finally, the most significant environmental impacts of geothermal plants, particularly subsidence, will be addressed. Students will be actively involved in team work on a techno-economic feasibility assessment of a geothermal plant, based on characterization data of a geothermal reservoir. The team work, based on the acquired knowledge, will also include a simulation of the well field.

Virtual Part

• Lectures by experts

• Basic training on geothermal modelling with the commercial software FEFLOW

In person part

• The location of the in-person activities is Larderello (Tuscany). A visit wil take place also at the seat of Exergy in Olgiate Olona (Varese). 

• The "in-person" week will give the students the opportunity to visit the first power plants of the 121 years-old history of geothermal energy, geothermal sites such as Lagoni del Sasso and Le Biancane, the brewery "Vapori di Birra" that uses geothermal heat in the production process. In addition, students will test themselves in a group work consisting in a small feasibility study of a geothermal power plant.

Final exam

• Team work presentation

General Conditions for course assessment and credits

All three conditions should be met in order to achieve the course completion and credit acquisition

• Attend at least 80% of the online lectures

• In-person presence (Larderello, Italy) is MANDATORY

• Final presentation of team working project