G.TES Ground thermal energy storage
5G network
Facts at one glance
Status of the project:
Pilot / testing plant
Operation mode:
Geothermal source:
Shallow / Ambient Geothermal
Max heat capacity:
< 1MW
Network generation:
5G
Year of operation start:
2013
Contact:
jessica.chicco@unito.it
Description of the project
The system is designed as a BTES (Borehole Thermal Energy Storage)
technology, aimed at the evaluated the thermal behavior of shallow alluvial deposits and their ability to store solar energy during the warm season, providing it in winter. Two solar panels were coupled with four closed-loop borehole heat exchangers in order to produce and transfer heat to the underground from April to September; in October the cycle starts working in reverse mode so to extract the energy collected. A total of 20 RTD 4wire Pt100 (measurement range -50÷180°C, accuracy 5%) were placed every 5m downhole in three of the four BHEs and in the monitoring hole. In addition, 10 temperature sensors of the
same type were placed throughout the circuit and on the thermal panels. An ultrasonic flow meter was placed on the pipes for providing flow rate data.
A remote monitoring system was also installed, and recentrly implemented, in order to provide data and to constantly check the operation of the entire system.
Highlights of the project
The highlight of this system is of being the first living lab working as a underground storage system of Italy
The biggest challenges / obstacles
The biggest obstacles related to this system is the remote monitoring system
Detailed characteristic of the project
Site description
Address
Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco Torino, Italy
Status of the project
Pilot / testing plant
Year of operation start
2013
Type of geothermal technologies involved
Shallow / Ambient Geothermal
Are heat pumps used within this project?
no
Heating network generation
5G
Number of clients supplied
< 10
Involved companies
Owner / operator
University of Turin
Types of used geothermal sources
Source
Depth range
Temperature range
Purpose
Soil/rock - closed loop
Thermal energy storage
System design
Heat sources included in the network
Bivalent - geothermal is combined with other another heat source (e.g. peak load supply)
Max heating capacity supplied by geothermal energy
< 1MW
Share of geothermal energy
< 50%
Max cooling capacity supplied by geothermal energy
< 0.2 MW
Share of geothermal energy
< 50%
Annual operation hours for heating
< 2000 hours
Annual operation hours for cooling
< 500 hours
Annual heating production
< 1 GWh
Annual heating production share
< 50%
Annual cooling production
< 1 GWh
Annual cooling production share
< 50%
Energy conversion factor linked to the use of geothermal energy
< 5
Has backup system?
No
Share of fossil fuels for annual gross heat production
0 %