In the field of renewable energies, the course is devoted to the geothermal resources. The program will highlight the origin and dynamics of geothermal resources and fluids and the main exploration and exploitation technologies aimed to their use. It will consider both high and low enthalpy systems in terms of origin, behavior, potential and real uses, environmental and economic benefits and impacts.

At the end of the course students should know the main principles related to high and low enthalpy geothermal energy systems, the main techniques of the geothermal exploration and the technologies for their exploitation in several environmental, territorial and geological contexts. Through practical exercises and field trips students will be involved in the processes of resources estimation and in the design and sizing of the geothermal plants.

Intermediate knowledge of the main natural physical phenomena, fundamental of math and fundamental bases of energy plants.

INTRODUCTION TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Fundamentals of geology, the structure of the Earth, origin of geothermal resources, geothermal gradient and geothermal anomalies, the thermal properties of the ground, field methods to assess ground thermal properties. Geothermal exploration techniques. FUNDAMENTALS OF HYDROGEOLOGY Introduction to groundwater and hydrodynamics in porous media. Water wells and wells design. Unsaturated zone and aquifers properties. Heat propagation in the aquifers. LOW ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Open-loop geothermal systems. Closed-loop geothermal systems. Thermal Response Test, Heat pumps and plants. Legal, technical and economic elements. Sustainability and assessment of resources. Environmental impact and implementation with particular focus on urban areas. HIGH ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Geothermal reservoirs (water and vapour dominated geothermal systems, hot dry rock systems). Deep geothermal exploration techniques. Uses of high enthalpy geothermal systems. Estimation, sustainability and environmental impact. Economic highlights in the energy world market.

- Lessons - Numerical exercises on open and closed-loop systems - Field trips: 1) Low enthalpy geothermal power plant in Torino (Politecnico) 2) High enthalpy geothermal power plants in Larderello, Italy.

Teachers notes. These are the base for the exam. Suggested books: - David Banks, An Introduction to Thermogeology: Ground Source Heating and Cooling, 2nd Edition. Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-67034-7 - Ronald DiPippo, Geothermal Power Plants (3rd Edition) Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact. Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-08-098206-9

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale facoltativa;

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam;

... Mandatory written test (10 multiple choice questions + 2 open questions). The final evaluation will be the sum of the results of the multiple choice questions and the evaluation of the answers to the 2 open-questions. The exercises developed during the course (not-mandatory) could be used to adjust the written test results evaluation. Optional (on-demand) oral exams only for students passing the written test.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.