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District heating systems play a pivotal role in providing efficient and sustainable heating solutions for urban areas. In this sense, district heating systems that use geothermal resources have been gaining prominence in recent years, due to the non-intermittent nature of their application, among many other reasons. The present study investigates the thermal performance of novel coaxial pipes in comparison to conventional pipes within district heating distribution networks supplied by geothermal energy. Through experimental simulation and analysis, key thermal parameters such as heat transfer efficiency, thermal losses, and overall system effectiveness are evaluated through laboratory tests developed on a scale model. Experimental analysis concludes that, at a laboratory scale, heat energy efficiency can be improved by around 37% regarding the traditional geothermal distribution network. This improvement translates into a significant economic and environmental impact that has a direct influence on the viability of this type of system in different application scenarios. The results highlight the potential benefits of coaxial pipe designs in enhancing heat transfer efficiency and minimizing thermal losses, thus offering insights for optimizing geothermal district heating infrastructure for improved energy efficiency and sustainability. The novelty of this study lies in the innovative design and experimental validation of coaxial pipes, which demonstrate a 37% improvement in heat energy efficiency over conventional pipe designs in geothermal district heating systems, offering a breakthrough in optimizing heat transfer and minimizing thermal losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of the geothermal industry demands the constant search of techniques with the aim of reducing exploration efforts whilst minimizing subsurface uncertainty. The exploration of geothermal resources is fundamental from the exploitation point of view, especially in those regions where this energy is not as widespread as the rest of renewable sources. This research shows how geoelectrical methods can contribute to the investigation and characterization of medium–low enthalpy geothermal resources until about 800 m of depth. A 2000 m long electrical-resistivity tomography profile was performed in a region of Southern Spain with previous evidence of moderate geothermal potential. Results of this geophysical campaign (together with a preliminary geological characterization) allowed for the obtainment of a 2D profile and a pseudo-3D model with extensive information about the subsoil in terms of geological composition and formations. The interpretation of geophysical results denotes the existence of a potential formation constituted by carbonate materials with thickness greater than 300 m, crossing different fractures. Once the ideal location for the geothermal exploitation is defined, the research evaluates the contribution of the possible energy source, deducing that the energy extraction in the potential fracturing area would be double that of the one in the vicinity of the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to use groundwater resources for agricultural and livestock farms is a constantly growing issue, as these resources condition the socio-economic development of many areas with limited climatic regimes and surface water resources. Decisions on the location and characteristics of groundwater extraction works are based on hydrogeological studies, in which geophysical techniques are a very useful tool. In our study, the Time-Domain Electromagnetics technique (TDEM) was used, which significantly improves the precision and safety when planning to drill for water extraction in Mesozoic formations thanks to the significant resistivity contrast among its different hydrogeological units. The performance of a research campaign using TDEM allows for obtaining 2D geoelectrical profiles which define the hydrogeological structure of the study area and the materials of which it is composed, enabling the selection of a site where drilling can be carried out with the best prospects of success. This article shows the usefulness of this study methodology, applied to Mesozoic formations in a specific area located in the municipality of Liceras (Soria, Spain). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Infrared thermography can be used for the thermal characterization of geothermal environments, through the monitoring of the surface that allows the computation of the thermal imbalance including the three heat transfer methods, consequently estimating thermal conductivity and convection heat rate. Thermal characterization of soils is essential for many applications, including design of geothermal systems. Traditional devices focus on the computation of thermal conductivity, omitting the analysis of the convection effect, which is important for horizontal geothermal systems. In this paper, a procedure based on the monitoring of the surface of the soil with a thermal infrared (TIR) camera is developed for the evaluation of the global thermal imbalance on the surface and in-depth. This procedure allows for the computation of thermal conductivity and global convection heat rate, consequently constituting a complete thermal characterization of the geothermal system. The validation of the results is performed through the evaluation of the radiometric calibration of the thermal infrared camera used for the monitoring and the comparison of the thermal conductivity values obtained in-depth, with traditional methods, and for the surface of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New software (GES-CAL) for the design of shallow geothermal systems is presented. • The internal calculations of the software are based on previous experimental results. • The tool is capable of considering all the frequent heat exchanger configurations. • GES-CAL also provides an economical and environmental evaluation. • The new software is especially efficient for its implementation in the region of Ávila (Spain). The purpose of this paper is to present a new tool developed for the calculation and design of shallow closed-loop geothermal systems. Most of the available geothermal computer programs only allow to consider vertical heat exchangers configurations (i.e. single or double-U tubes), being the horizontal and helical designs excluded. As an attempt to fill this gap, GES–CAL tool, presented here, is capable of providing the complete design of all the most common configurations used in low enthalpy geothermal systems. This software was initially developed for its implementation in the region of Ávila (Spain), including the most relevant results of previous author's researches in this area. Throughout this work, the new software is deeply described and implemented in the calculation of three different study cases. Results of GES–CAL are complementary compared with the ones obtained from the most used geothermal software, EED (Earth Energy Designer). From the analysis of these results, it was possible to conclude that GES–CAL tool constitutes an optimal solution for planning a shallow geothermal system, but especially for those installations placed in the region of Ávila. In this area, the well field can be designed in more precise way which results in lower drilling lengths and, hence, lower initial investments. The conclusions of this work indicate that GES–CAL offers remarkable advantages such as the automatic calculation of the space energy demand, the inclusion of all the heat exchanger configurations and an economic and environmental evaluation of the final geothermal solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ground source heat pump systems, the thermal properties of the ground, where the well field is planned to be located, are essential for proper geothermal design. In this regard, estimation of ground thermal conductivity has been carried out by the implementation of different techniques and laboratory tests. In this study, several methods to obtain the thermal properties of the ground are applied in order to compare them with the reference thermal response test (TRT). These methods (included in previous research works) are carried out in the same geological environment and on the same borehole, in order to make an accurate comparison. All of them provide a certain value for the thermal conductivity of the borehole. These results are compared to the one obtained from the TRT carried out in the same borehole. The conclusions of this research allow the validation of alternative solutions based on the use of a thermal conductive equipment and the application of geophysics techniques. Seismic prospecting has been proven as a highly recommendable indicator of the thermal conductivity of a borehole column, obtaining rate errors of below 1.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a renewable energy source, geothermal energy can provide base-load power supply both for electricity and direct uses, such as space heating. Regarding this last use, in the present study, district heating systems aided by geothermal energy, the so-called geothermal district heating systems, are studied. Thus, three different options of a geothermal district heating system are evaluated and compared in terms of environmental and economic aspects with a traditional fossil installation. Calculations were carried out from a particular study case, a set of buildings located Province of León in the north of Spain. From real data of each of the assumptions considered, an exhaustive comparison among the different scenarios studied, was thoroughly made. Results revealed the most suitable option from an economic point of view but always considering the environmental impacts of each one. In this regard, the assumption of a district heating system totally supplied by geothermal energy clearly stands out from the rest of options. Thus, the manuscript main objective is to emphasise the advantages of these systems as they constitute the ideal solution from both the economic and environmental parameters analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The energy supply of geothermal heat pumps is evaluated. • Electric heat pumps and gas engine heat pumps are considered. • A geothermal system constituted with each heat pump model is defined in several areas. • Electric heat pump system is the only scenario that respects the nZEB requirements in one area. Very low enthalpy geothermal systems have been traditionally associated to the use of electricity as primary energy heat pumps supply. Gas engine heat pumps (GEHP) have been recently introduced in the current market. In this research, the electric heat pumps (EHP) as well as the GEHPs (considering natural gas and biogas as combustibles) have been analysed. The calculation of the ground source heat pump (GSHP) system has been made for a building placed in three different areas. Results reveal the influence of the heat pump configuration on the whole geothermal design. This research finally considers the European policies whose aim is a sustainable low-carbon economy by 2020. According to the existing Energy Efficiency Directive, energy requirements are defined for new and existing residential and non-residential buildings in the Member States. Based on these standards, the research compares the geothermal heat pump scenarios and a traditional one to determine if they would meet the regulation. Final results show that the Directive is a highly-demanding regulation that can only be respected by using EHP in one of the areas. The rest of geothermal heat pumps scenarios are much closer to meeting the energy standards than the traditional fossil heating sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermal conductivity map constitutes an important basis with regards to the design and performance of geothermal heat pump installations. Although the execution of a Thermal Response Test means an ideal solution as it provides the average value of the thermal conductivity over the length of the borehole drilled for the BHE, in small projects it is not possible to carry out these tests because they involve a huge increase of the total budget of the user. This study describes a systematic methodology to produce a thermal conductivity map of an area geographically placed in the center of Spain, the province of Ávila. As a result, a map of thermal conductivity distribution of local rocks is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]