Suitability Evaluation of Specific Shallow Geothermal Technologies Using a GIS-Based Multi Criteria Decision Analysis Implementing the Analytic Hierarchic Process

The exploitation potential of shallow geothermal energy is usually defined in terms of site-specific ground thermal characteristics. While true, this assumption limits the complexity of the analysis, since feasibility studies involve many other components that must be taken into account when calculating the effective market viability of a geothermal technology or the economic value of a shallow geothermal project. In addition, the results of a feasibility study are not simply the sum of the various factors since some components may be conflicting while others will be of a qualitative nature only. Different approaches are therefore needed to evaluate the suitability of an area for shallow geothermal installation. This paper introduces a new GIS platform-based multicriteria decision analysis method aimed at comparing as many different shallow geothermal relevant factors as possible. Using the Analytic Hierarchic Process Tool, a geolocalized Suitability Index was obtained for a specific technological case: the integrated technologies developed within the GEOTeCH Project. A suitability map for the technologies in question was drawn up for Europe.

[1]  D. Schmoldt,et al.  Basic principles of decision making in natural resources and the environment , 2001 .

[2]  R. A. Cox,et al.  Simple future weather files for estimating heating and cooling demand , 2015 .

[3]  C. Montagud,et al.  Development and Experimental Validation of a TRNSYS Dynamic Tool for Design and Energy Optimization of Ground Source Heat Pump Systems , 2017 .

[4]  David Bertermann,et al.  Modelling vSGPs (very shallow geothermal potentials) in selected CSAs (case study areas) , 2014 .

[5]  Joris Ondreka,et al.  GIS-supported mapping of shallow geothermal potential of representative areas in south-western Germany—Possibilities and limitations , 2007 .

[6]  Jacek Malczewski,et al.  GIS‐based multicriteria decision analysis: a survey of the literature , 2006, Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci..

[7]  Marco Ferrari,et al.  Exploitation of geothermal energy using tunnel lining technology in a mountain environment. A feasibility study for the Brenner Base tunnel – BBT , 2017 .

[8]  Mustafa Yalcin,et al.  A GIS-based multi criteria decision analysis approach for exploring geothermal resources: Akarcay basin (Afyonkarahisar) , 2017 .

[9]  Birol Kılkış,et al.  An energy source policy assessment using analytical hierarchy process , 2012 .

[10]  A. Casasso,et al.  G.POT: A quantitative method for the assessment and mapping of the shallow geothermal potential , 2016 .

[11]  Mar Alcaraz,et al.  Use rights markets for shallow geothermal energy management , 2016 .

[12]  Thomas L. Saaty,et al.  Decision making for leaders , 1985, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

[13]  Philipp Blum,et al.  Greenhouse gas emission savings of ground source heat pump systems in Europe: A review , 2012 .

[14]  S. Grasby,et al.  Estimation of Shallow Geothermal Energy Resource in Canada: Heat Gain and Heat Sink , 2009 .

[15]  Georgios A. Florides,et al.  Measurements of ground temperatures in Cyprus for ground thermal applications , 2011 .

[16]  A. Manzella,et al.  An integrated 3D approach to assess the geothermal heat-exchange potential: The case study of western Sicily (southern Italy) , 2016 .

[17]  Alessandro Casasso,et al.  Assessment and mapping of the closed-loop shallow geothermal potential in Cerkno (Slovenia) , 2017 .

[18]  Francesco Tinti,et al.  Energy performance strategies for the large scale introduction of geothermal energy in residential and industrial buildings: The GEO.POWER project , 2014 .

[19]  H. Witte.  The GEOTHEX geothermal heat exchanger, characterisation of a novel high efficiency heat exchanger design , 2012 .

[20]  J. Urchueguía,et al.  Common Implementation Roadmap for Renewable Heating and Cooling Technologies , 2014 .

[21]  Marco Casini,et al.  Model-based decision support for integrated management and control of coastal lagoons , 2007, 2007 European Control Conference (ECC).

[22]  David Bertermann,et al.  A pan-European planning basis for estimating the very shallow geothermal energy potentials , 2015 .

[23]  Sauro Longhi,et al.  GIS-based energy-economic model of low temperature geothermal resources: A case study in the Italian Marche region , 2011 .

[24]  Andrea Verdecchia,et al.  Evaluation of efficiency of hybrid geothermal basket/air heat pump on a case study winery based on experimental data , 2017 .

[25]  D. Schmoldt,et al.  The Analytic Hierarchy Process in Natural Resource and Environmental Decision Making , 2001, Managing Forest Ecosystems.

[26]  Ladislaus Rybach,et al.  Current status of ground source heat pumps and underground thermal energy storage in Europe , 2003 .

[27]  Tinti Francesco,et al.  How to boost shallow geothermal energy exploitation in the adriatic area: the LEGEND project experience , 2016 .

[28]  P. Blum,et al.  Extracting past atmospheric warming and urban heating effects from borehole temperature profiles , 2016 .

[29]  Xuan Zhu,et al.  JavaAHP: a web-based decision analysis tool for natural resource and environmental management , 2001, Environ. Model. Softw..

[30]  Marco Cinelli,et al.  Analysis of the potentials of multi criteria decision analysis methods to conduct sustainability assessment , 2014 .

[31]  R. W. Saaty,et al.  The analytic hierarchy process—what it is and how it is used , 1987 .

[32]  Michele De Carli,et al.  Empirical modeling of maps of geo-exchange potential for shallow geothermal energy at regional scale , 2015 .

[33]  David Connolly,et al.  Heat Roadmap Europe: Quantitative comparison between the electricity, heating, and cooling sectors for different European countries , 2017 .

[34]  Enric Vázquez-Suñé,et al.  Relaxation factor for geothermal use development – Criteria for a more fair and sustainable geothermal use of shallow energy resources , 2015 .

[35]  M. Suzen,et al.  GIS based geothermal potential assessment: A case study from Western Anatolia, Turkey , 2010 .