Projects / Programmes
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
2.03.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Energy engineering |
Renewable resources and technologies |
Code |
Science |
Field |
T140 |
Technological sciences |
Energy research |
P470 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Hydrogeology, geographical and geological engineering |
P500 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geophysics, physical oceanography, meteorology |
geothermal energy, renewable resources, geology, hydrodynamics, thermal water, geophysics, structural geology, hidrogeochemistry
Researchers (8)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Slovenia has a large potential for the exploitation of low-enthalpy geothermal resources. Low-enthalpy geothermal reources are exploited for direct use (balneology, agriculture, aquaculture, industrial use and space heating). Potential investors are encouraged to consider geothermal energy use owing to the oscillation of fossil fuel prices and also due to the creation of extra value with non-energetic water use. Geological research provides basic information needed for the estimation of exploitable energy resources preserved in the Earth's interior. This information must answer the questions related to the conditions of geothermal resources' appearance (existence, spatial extension, temperature) and to the conditions of intake and use of geothermal resources in connection with technological requirements (exploitability, capacity, ecological point of view, maintenance,...).
Since the mechanism and geometry of geothermal systems are mostly not completely solved, or are not solved at all, this applied research project intends to develop improved conceptual models of more interesting geothermal resources, using recent results of structural and regional geology. In this way the improved models will serve for the forecast of recharge and discharge mechanisms of thermal aquifer, long-term influence of exploitation of underground water and/or for the selection of locations with potential for geothermal resource existence.
In the applied research project "Geothermal energy" special attention will be devoted to the following problems: selection of necessary geological parameters for successful implementation of heat pump technology (shallow geothermics for heating of smaller objects), reinjection of water back into the geothermal reservoir (ecology and pressure sustainability in the geothermal aquifer) and modeling of heat and mass flow in the geothermal reservoir.