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Defining, exploring, imaging and assessing reservoirs for potential heat exchange - Potsdam, Germany, Workshop1
Defining, exploring, imaging and assessing reservoirs for potential heat exchange - Potsdam, Germany, Workshop1
6-8 November 2006 GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ)
email support
 
EXPLORATION OF GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES IN ITALY
 
Enel Generation and Energy Management (GEM), the main electric producer in Italy, is 
particularly engaged in the development of renewable energies and, among these, high 
temperature geothermal resources have been explored and exploited in Italy since the 
beginning of  last century.
Exploration activities started in the Larderello and Travale areas (Tuscany) and 
then, in the second half of the last century, were extended to several other areas 
of potential interest in central and southern Italy. These activities were mainly 
and widely carried out in Tuscany and Latium regions, with the integration of many 
surface surveys (geological, geophysical etc.) and drilling activities. Many  
geophysical methodologies were performed and tested on the base of the geological 
features and the depth of the potential targets. 
Unfavorable reservoir characteristics together with others logistical or 
environmental problems  hindered geothermal development in many of these areas. 
At the present Enel is operating 32 power generation units, only in Tuscany 
(Larderello, Travale and Amiata areas), with a total capacity of about 700 MW 
The highest costs in the geothermal exploration are related to the drilling 
activity, particularly when the geothermal reservoirs are deep (> 2500 m) and 
characterized by fractures-controlled permeability. These cases are very frequent in 
the deep metamorphic   reservoirs of the main geothermal areas in Italy.
The reconstruction, as detailed as possible, of the structural-geological model and  
the location, prior to drilling, of promising targets for the wells (high fractured 
levels) are at the present the main purposes of the surface exploration.
Different geological systems need different geosciences technologies, depending on 
which physical parameter is better defined and able to discriminate geothermal 
signatures (acoustic impedance, resistivity contrast, etc.).
Seismic surveys (2D and more recently 3D) are providing encouraging results for the 
deep target individuation in the metamorphic reservoir of Larderello-Travale areas.
 
Id: 38
Place: GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ)
14473 Potsdam, Telegrafenberg
Germany
Starting date:
07-Nov-2006   09:00
Duration: 25'
Contribution type: Talk
Primary Authors: Mr. FIORDELISI, ADOLFO (ENEL)
Co-Authors: Mr. BERTANI, RUGGERO (ENEL)
Presenters: Mr. FIORDELISI, ADOLFO
Material: slides Slides
 




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