Papers by Serena Botteghi
The stable presence of humans in the Alps dates back to the Bronze Age and peaked in the mid-19th... more The stable presence of humans in the Alps dates back to the Bronze Age and peaked in the mid-19th century, deeply shaping the landscape and allowing the co-evolution of numerous plant and animal species. Since the 1950s, socio-economic changes have led to the gradual depopulation of mountain areas, and the consequent abandonment of traditional agro-pastoral activities. The rupture of the long-established balance between man and nature has triggered a process of transition, further exacerbated and accelerated by climate change. The Belmont Forum project ABRESO (Abandonment and rebound: Societal views on landscape and land-use change and their impacts on water and soils) started in 2021 and aims at advancing the understanding of mitigation and adaptation strategies to environmental change, through an international partnership involving five countries (the United States, France, Italy, Japan and Taiwan). Italy contributes to the project with three case studies: Gran Paradiso National P...
This report includes the description of the GEMex Open Access Database implementation and the col... more This report includes the description of the GEMex Open Access Database implementation and the collection of data. Geothermal data, in the form of maps, datasets and models will be organized and stored in an Open Access Database and will be made available in a Spatial Data Infrastructure according to international standards and protocols.<br> Part of this report is in the form of a handbook to help user to access the available information. The database is available by a dedicated link in the project website and will be updated by the end of the project.
&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Adriatic region is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of clima... more &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Adriatic region is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Although attention has been paid to understand the climate change impact and risks over the last decades, the Adriatic community still faces a lack of a common risk assessment. For this reason, ASTERIS project has been financed at the Call for proposal 2017 Priority Axis Safety and resilience of Interregional V Italy-Croatia 2014-2020 Program. To this overall objective, the project will provide two main outputs: i) a map of vulnerability to coastal salinization at the macro-regional scale (Adriatic) based on future scenarios for sea-level rise and the hydrological cycle and ii) best practice and guidelines for the management of vulnerable sites defined though the analysis of representative case studies in Italy and Croatia. Within these general purposes, hydrogeological and geochemical surveys in two specific shallow aquifer systems that develop in the coastal areas of Fano and Ravenna (central-eastern Italy), were carried out. Several periodical campaigns, aimed at measuring water level and physical-chemical parameters by vertical logs in wells or piezometers, were also conducted. Additionally, ground and surface water samples were also collected for chemical and isotopic analyses to define the compositional features and the main geochemical processes affecting the two shallow aquifers. Preliminary investigations suggested that the Ravenna shallow aquifer is already strongly spoiled by a significant seawater intrusion (up to 80 %), whereas at Fano the presence of the saline wedge can be regarded as negligible. This indicates that the aquifer system of Fano can be considered as a good proxy for evaluating and simulating potential processes of saline-fresh water interactions by either the increasing demand of water exploitation and sea level rise due to anthropogenic pressure and climate change, respectively. In order to simulate possible future ingressions of seawater in the aquifer system of Fano, groundwater flow and transport models are currently in progress. These models will be implemented and calibrated according to the hydrogeological and geochemical data collected within the framework of the ASTERIS project. The expected modelled scenarios, obtained through predictive simulations, are of pivotal importance for assessing the possible groundwater response to climate change and for a correct management and protection of water resources, which can be exported to other aquifers system along the Adriatic Sea.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;
Geothermics, 2018
Geothermal plants have been producing power in Italy for more than a century. Since local opposit... more Geothermal plants have been producing power in Italy for more than a century. Since local opposition to geothermal development is often fuelled by incomplete and inaccurate environmental information, this paper provides a comprehensive description of the effect of geothermal development on the air, water and soil and investigates potential disturbance from noise, subsidence, and seismicity, as well as the visual impact on the local area. After discussing the risks associated with the geothermal development and the reference data, the paper describes the wide-reaching environmental monitoring and mitigation measures in Italy that have maintained impact values below the thresholds defined by European and Italian regulation. The social benefits for areas where geothermal energy is developed are also described, with the aid of case studies highlighting that citizens do not feel that they are sufficiently informed to have a voice in the innovation process. A regular and comprehensive review of the geothermal environmental and safety regime, as the one carried out in this paper, and a mutual exchange of knowledge between the different stakeholders should be strongly encouraged.
Energy Procedia, 2017
District heating networks are commonly addressed in the literature as one of the most effective s... more District heating networks are commonly addressed in the literature as one of the most effective solutions for decreasing the greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. These systems require high investments which are returned through the heat sales. Due to the changed climate conditions and building renovation policies, heat demand in the future could decrease, prolonging the investment return period. The main scope of this paper is to assess the feasibility of using the heat demand-outdoor temperature function for heat demand forecast. The district of Alvalade, located in Lisbon (Portugal), was used as a case study. The district is consisted of 665 buildings that vary in both construction period and typology. Three weather scenarios (low, medium, high) and three district renovation scenarios were developed (shallow, intermediate, deep). To estimate the error, obtained heat demand values were compared with results from a dynamic heat demand model, previously developed and validated by the authors. The results showed that when only weather change is considered, the margin of error could be acceptable for some applications (the error in annual demand was lower than 20% for all weather scenarios considered). However, after introducing renovation scenarios, the error value increased up to 59.5% (depending on the weather and renovation scenarios combination considered). The value of slope coefficient increased on average within the range of 3.8% up to 8% per decade, that corresponds to the decrease in the number of heating hours of 22-139h during the heating season (depending on the combination of weather and renovation scenarios considered). On the other hand, function intercept increased for 7.8-12.7% per decade (depending on the coupled scenarios). The values suggested could be used to modify the function parameters for the scenarios considered, and improve the accuracy of heat demand estimations.
Energy, 2016
In this study a new approach to geothermal potential assessment was set up and applied in four re... more In this study a new approach to geothermal potential assessment was set up and applied in four regions in southern Italy. Our procedure, VIGORThermoGIS, relies on the volume method of assessment and uses a 3D model of the subsurface to integrate thermal, geological and petro-physical data. The method thus produces 2D geothermal potential maps for three different uses: district heating, district heating and cooling, and electrical power production. Our study focused on carbonate reservoirs, which usually present an excellent natural permeability and important geothermal gradients at depth. Our computations were possible thanks to the large quantity of data available from hydrocarbon exploration that largely investigate deep-seated reservoirs. Based on geothermal potential available for power production we estimate the contribution of the geothermal energy in the CO 2 emissions reduction in the study regions. Moreover policy makers as well as investors can use our maps to establish new policies and to locate the most promising places for geothermal development, in line with the international low carbon strategy.
Geothermal Energy Science, 2015
We revised the concept of convective, intrusive geothermal plays, considering that the tectonic s... more We revised the concept of convective, intrusive geothermal plays, considering that the tectonic setting is not, in our opinion, a discriminant parameter suitable for a classification. We analysed and compared four case studies: (i) Larderello (Italy), (ii) Mt Amiata (Italy), (iii) The Geysers (USA) and (iv) Kizildere (Turkey). The tectonic settings of these geothermal systems are different and a matter of debate, so it is hard to use this parameter, and the results of classification are ambiguous. We suggest a classification based on the age and nature of the heat source and the related hydrothermal circulation. Finally we propose to distinguish the convective geothermal plays as volcanic, young intrusive and amagmatic.
We revised the concept of convective, intrusive geothermal plays, considering that the tectonic s... more We revised the concept of convective, intrusive geothermal plays, considering that the tectonic setting is not, in our opinion, a discriminant parameter suitable for a classification. We analysed and compared four case studies: (i) Larderello (Italy), (ii) Mt Amiata (Italy), (iii) The Geysers (USA) and (iv) Kizildere (Turkey). The tectonic settings of these geothermal systems are different and a matter of debate, so it is hard to use this parameter, and the results of classification are ambiguous. We suggest a classification based on the age and nature of the heat source and the related hydrothermal circulation. Finally we propose to distinguish the convective geothermal plays as volcanic, young intrusive and amagmatic.
Electrical resistivity and passive seismic methodologies are powerful tools for geothermal explor... more Electrical resistivity and passive seismic methodologies are powerful tools for geothermal exploration, helping to constrain the geologic framework and the physical parameters of the geothermal system. We investigated the hydrogeological system of the Canino area (Viterbo - Central Italy) in order to constrain the depth of the reservoir rocks for potential geothermal exploitation. An intense hydrothermal activity is well indicated in the study area by many thermal springs with temperatures of ~50°C. The study area is characterized by a large travertine plain overlying Ligurian Units and Mesozoic carbonates of the Tuscan Nappe. These Mesozoic carbonates characterize also the Canino mountain range, bounding to the north the travertine plain, and representing the re-charge area of the hydrothermal system. The hydrogeological system is characterized by a shallow fluid circulation in a heterogeneous aquifer with different permeability. Previous geological and geochemical studies define t...
From a geothermal point of view western Sicily is a very interesting area, with the manifestation... more From a geothermal point of view western Sicily is a very interesting area, with the manifestation at surface of several thermal springs, localized areas of moderately high heat flux (more than 90 mW/m 2) and thick carbonates units uninterruptedly developing from surface up top great depths. In this area oil exploration provided new insights for the definition of geometric relationships between tectonic units and structural reconstruction at depth (Catalano et al., 1995; Catalano et al., 1998; Catalano et al., 2002), but also delivered a great amount of data, resulting very suitable for geothermal resource assessment Unfortunately these data were often collected with the modalities and purposes typical of oil exploration, not always the finest for geothermal exploration as in the case of temperature measurements. The multidisciplinary and integrated review of these data, specifically reread for geothermal purposes, and the integration with new data acquired in particular key areas, s...
Within more or less karstifed carbonates, fractures generally play an important role both in chan... more Within more or less karstifed carbonates, fractures generally play an important role both in channelling the geothermal fluid flow and in the hot water storage, making limestones and dolostones among the more important potential geothermal reservoirs, worldwide. Carbonate rocks constitute the backbone of the Italian Apennines that have to be considered as natural laboratories for the key study of these geothermal systems, and this is particularly true in the case of western Sicily. A multidisciplinary and integrated review of existing geological, geophysical, geochemical and thermometric data (mainly acquired during oil exploration), specifically reread for geothermal purposes, and the integration with new data acquired in particular key areas, such as the Mazara del Vallo site in the southern part of western Sicily, allowed us to better understand this -regional scale- medium-enthalpy geothermal system characterised by measured temperatures up to 100 °C. The interpretation of data ...
Prime indicazioni tecnico-prescrittive in materia di impianti di climatizzazione geotermica VIGOR... more Prime indicazioni tecnico-prescrittive in materia di impianti di climatizzazione geotermica VIGOR: Prime indicazioni tecnico-prescrittive in materia di impianti di climatizzazione geotermica a cura di:
The conceptual model T map at the top of the reservoir Reservoir temperature vs depth Reservoir m... more The conceptual model T map at the top of the reservoir Reservoir temperature vs depth Reservoir modeling Data collected in W-Sicily allow us to reconstruct the distribution and to verify the lateral continuity at depth of mesozoic carbonates; Within the carbonate rocks we reconstruct an homogeneous gradient of temperature (about 10°C/km) and a temperature increasing moving away from the carbonate outcrops (30-40 °C) towards distal and confined parts (up to 100 °C) of these hydrogeological complexes; The water isotopes of thermal springs allow us to reconstruct the average altitudes of recharge and water residence times in the aquifer suggesting the presence of wide circulation systems We identified the main recharge areas of the geothermal system on the higher reliefs on the carbonate outcrops; a possible contribution also from miocene covers Based on all these information, in the W-Sicily a regional scale reservoir made up of carbonate complexes and hosting geothermal resource of middle enthalpy can be supposed. In the Mazara del Vallo area a resource with a temperature of about 100°C
(1200m b.s.l.), the medium-high enthalpy of the system (145°C at the top of the reservoir) and th... more (1200m b.s.l.), the medium-high enthalpy of the system (145°C at the top of the reservoir) and the presence of water and steam, as recorded by ENEL reports, allowed a preliminary individuation, at the culmination of the carbonatic ridge, of the shallowest resource to be considered for future exploitation.
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Papers by Serena Botteghi