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Exploring High Temperature reservoirs: new challenges for geothermal energy - Volterra, Italy, Workshop2
1-4 April 2007 Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
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The terrestrial heat-flow density database in the framework of geothermal potential studies
The terrestrial heat-flow density is not only an important constraint for 
geophysical studies, but it is also a fundamental parameter for the assessment 
of geothermal resources. In principle, the determination of heat-flow density is 
straightforward, but possible perturbations to the subsurface thermal field, 
arising from geological evolution, thermal conductivity structure, climatic history, 
and groundwater movement, need to be carefully evaluated, if possible, for 
each heat-flow density site. The form of the so far used databases generally 
mixes text and tabular data in irregular fields and requires users to write 
specific computer programs to extract information in a useful format. This 
reduces the flexibility of the databases and impedes accessing to most of the 
scientific community. An appropriate data model has to be established in order 
to store all the information contained in the terrestrial heat-flow density 
determination and to simplify the access to databases. The data format should 
satisfy the analysis problems that might arise. An applicative example is 
presented for the Tyrrhenian-Northern Apennines region (Italy). Heat-flow 
density data have been divided into subsets, based on the measurement 
techniques: determinations in boreholes, mine shafts and tunnels, in petroleum 
exploration wells, in sea sediments. The main corrections for drilling 
disturbance, topographic relief, sedimentation and erosion, climate and nearby 
bodies of water were included. Based on the main geological features, the 
dataset was sorted into various groups, each belonging to a different tectonic 
province. We compiled the current data into a relational database and 
developed subsets of retrievable data and derivative maps. The data subsets 
are accessible in a variety of forms, e.g., tables, colour contour maps, location 
maps, borehole sections, etc., and include text descriptions that enable non-
specialists to understand the strengths and limitations of the resource.
Id: 3
Place: Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
Campus SIAF, SP del Monte Volterrano
Localita' Il Cipresso
Volterra, Italy
Starting date:
02-Apr-2007   11:39
Duration: 03'
Primary Authors: Prof. PASQUALE, Vincenzo (DIPTERIS Università di Genova)
Co-Authors: Dr. CHIOZZI, Paolo (DIPTERIS Università di Genova)
Prof. VERDOYA, Massimo (DIPTERIS Università di Genova)
Dr. GOLA, Gianluca (DIPTERIS Università di Genova)
Presenters: Dr. GOLA, Gianluca
Material: slides Slides
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