Innovative application of a micro-CHP with geothermal energy and both electrical and thermal storages: a pilot study case in Marche region (Italy).

Innovative application of a micro-CHP with geothermal energy and both electrical and thermal storages: a pilot study case in Marche region (Italy). (MATREND project – FAR 2014-15 P.I. Invernizzi) Calabrò S., Chicco J., Culmone R., Fusari A., Gunnella R., Invernizzi C., Pacetti C. School of Science and Technology, University of Camerino The use of Earth’s underground is a key factor in the effort to provide economic and safe solutions for the future energy supply. In addition to supply heating and cooling requests and hot water demand both for private and public buildings, energy consumption has started decreasing in the last decade in order to satisfy the European targets proposed by Kyoto Protocol “20-20-20”. The exploitation of geothermal resources using Ground Source Heat Pumps proved to be an optimal choice. However, for each Ground Source Heat Pump a considerable amount of electricity is needed during the entire year. In Italy, more than 50% of electricity requests are supplied by fossil fuels’ consumptions. Thus the crux of this innovative application is in the selection of a micro-CHP (Combined Heat and Power) i.e. a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, as a continuous electricity provider, that, despite it uses natural gas, is able to save more than 30% of fossil fuel consumption each year. This innovative heating and cooling system is made up of an electrical energy storage and both a latent (filled with PCM, Phase Change Materials) and a sensible heat storages. This experimental project, adopting a multidisciplinary investigation, is already in place at the Geology Division of the School of Science and Technology of University of Camerino. The main objectives of this research project are: - to optimize the knowledge about low enthalpy geothermal plants, focusing on heat transfer enhancement tested in two experimental geothermal boreholes; - to test commercial and new grouting materials, in particular thermal properties, used to sustain wall boreholes as well as to evaluate the temperature of the underground; - to monitor heating and cooling system performances month by month and to analyze greenhouse gases emissions reduction and operating costs and so economic advantages. The realization of the experimental plant involved several steps: i) general knowledge of geological conditions; ii) drilling of geothermal boreholes; iii) in situ measures of the underground thermal properties; iv) laboratory investigations of thermo-physical properties and mineralogical determinations both of drilled lithologies and grouts (commercial and innovative); v) construction of an innovative hybrid geothermal-micro-CHP heating and cooling system for department building; vi) monitoring of both PCM performances and this system’s adaptability in a real environment; vii) measurement of both environmental and economic advantages