The geothermal predisposition of the Italian territory is known all over the world. The country has a geothermal tradition of more than a century. Over the years, the exploitation of this resource for the production of electricity, heat and direct use of heat has assumed a very important role from an environmental, economic and social point of view.
The objective of this activity is to define the low-enthalpy geothermal zoning of the Italian territory, for geothermal applications involving the use of closed-loop sensors combined with geothermal heat pumps.

After a brief review of RSE’s past activities in the field of geothermal energy and a framing of the technology, the research activity conducted in 2022 included a detailed collection of geological and thermal data and information present at the national and regional levels. Thus, 12 Italian regions were analyzed geologically and thermally to check for the presence of information useful for the purposes of the research.

In addition, the methodology for conducting geological and thermal analyses aimed at geothermal characterization of territories and the realization of low-enthalpy geothermal zoning was developed. A study area, the Po Valley, was identified for the application of the analysis methodology. In this area, well databases and geological mapping were analyzed in order to define, in subsequent years, maps of suitability for subsurface heat exchange using closed-loop geothermal probes. Looking forward, the ultimate goal is to replicate this method to different areas of Italy, in order to gradually map the low-enthalpy geothermal potential of the Italian territory.

Finally, the main results of the activities carried out to support the institutions in the definition of an unambiguous regulatory text at national level for the use of low-enthalpy geothermal energy for thermal energy production are reported. The activity was concluded with the approval of the Geoscambio DM by the Ministry of Ecological Transition on September 30, 2022.

The Report is available on the Italian site