The activities of CNR-IGG, Italy, The activities of CNR-IGG, Italy, in the field of geothermalin the field of geothermal

Adele ManzellaAdele Manzella

CNR-Institute of Geosciences and Earth ResourcesPisa, Italy

The The Istituto di Geoscienze e GeorisorseIstituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse (IGG, i.e., (IGG, i.e., Institute of Institute of

Geosciences and Earth Resources)Geosciences and Earth Resources) of CNR of CNR began its activity in began its activity in

January 2002, with its headquarters in Pisa, and six Sections based in January 2002, with its headquarters in Pisa, and six Sections based in

Florence, Padua, Pavia, Rome, Turin and Pisa. Florence, Padua, Pavia, Rome, Turin and Pisa. . . The staff of the The staff of the

Institute consists of 69 researchers of CNR, 77 university researchers Institute consists of 69 researchers of CNR, 77 university researchers

assigned temporarily to the IGG, 34 technical/administrative assigned temporarily to the IGG, 34 technical/administrative

personnel and 40 contractual scientific collaborators (doctorates, personnel and 40 contractual scientific collaborators (doctorates,

scholarship holders, etc.).scholarship holders, etc.).

The mandate of the IGG is to carry out research and The mandate of the IGG is to carry out research and

evaluation, exchange of technological expertise, and evaluation, exchange of technological expertise, and

training and dissemination of information in relation to the training and dissemination of information in relation to the

following topics: following topics:

investigation of the geological phenomena affecting the investigation of the geological phenomena affecting the

Earth by means of geodynamic, geochemical, and Earth by means of geodynamic, geochemical, and

geophysical studies; geophysical studies;

analysis and definition of geological materials; analysis and definition of geological materials;

studies directed at the mitigation of geological risks, at studies directed at the mitigation of geological risks, at

predicting and reducing the effects of global changes and predicting and reducing the effects of global changes and

at identifying natural resources with a view to a sustainable at identifying natural resources with a view to a sustainable

development of the latter.development of the latter.

The IGG has expertise in the following sectorsThe IGG has expertise in the following sectors

• Geochemistry of stable isotopesGeochemistry of stable isotopes• Waste disposal gasesWaste disposal gases• Boron, strontium and neodymium geochemistryBoron, strontium and neodymium geochemistry• Absolute age determinationsAbsolute age determinations• GIS and basic geological mappingGIS and basic geological mapping• Trace element analysis in minerals using ICP-mass and ionic microprobesTrace element analysis in minerals using ICP-mass and ionic microprobes• Magnetotelluric, gravity and heat flow surveysMagnetotelluric, gravity and heat flow surveys• Fluid geochemistryFluid geochemistry• Crystallochemistry and definition of crystalline structuresCrystallochemistry and definition of crystalline structures• Experimental petrologyExperimental petrology• Analogic modelingAnalogic modeling

Main research topics of IGGMain research topics of IGG

investigation of the geological processes regarding the earth investigation of the geological processes regarding the earth systemsystem

characterization of geological materialscharacterization of geological materials

investigation of natural resources for a sustainable development investigation of natural resources for a sustainable development (earth resources)(earth resources)

• Geothermal resourcesGeothermal resources and thermal waters and thermal waters • Mineral resourcesMineral resources• Exploration and mantainance of water resourcesExploration and mantainance of water resources

geological and environmental risks geological and environmental risks • environmental impactenvironmental impact• geological risks (vulcanoes, landslides, geological risks (vulcanoes, landslides, hydrogeologic)hydrogeologic)• Cartography and GISCartography and GIS• environmental monitoring (for seismic and eruptive environmental monitoring (for seismic and eruptive forecast)forecast)

forecast and mitigation of the effects of global changesforecast and mitigation of the effects of global changes•C0C022 capture capture

One of the main target of IGG is the exploration of natural One of the main target of IGG is the exploration of natural resources for a sustainable development. resources for a sustainable development.

The research is focused on the investigation of the deep The research is focused on the investigation of the deep structures in geothermal areas and the fluids circulating structures in geothermal areas and the fluids circulating therein. This knowledge will help to define the role of the therein. This knowledge will help to define the role of the

heat extracted from deep, unexplored sectors of the crust in heat extracted from deep, unexplored sectors of the crust in the country’s future energy balance. Fluid-rock interaction the country’s future energy balance. Fluid-rock interaction models are studied in order to reduce the emissions of COmodels are studied in order to reduce the emissions of CO22

into the atmosphere. The attention is focused on the granitic into the atmosphere. The attention is focused on the granitic intrusions and volcanoes along the Tyrrhenian margin of the intrusions and volcanoes along the Tyrrhenian margin of the

high-enthalpy geothermal and ore-deposit areas. high-enthalpy geothermal and ore-deposit areas.

Since water resources are limited and at high risk, a part of Since water resources are limited and at high risk, a part of this research is dedicated to studying the shallow and deep this research is dedicated to studying the shallow and deep dynamic behaviour of these resources, as well as pollution dynamic behaviour of these resources, as well as pollution

phenomena, utilizing geochemical, geophysical and phenomena, utilizing geochemical, geophysical and hydrogeological methods.hydrogeological methods.

Geothermal expertise at IGGGeothermal expertise at IGG

GeophysicsGeophysics

Heat flowSubsidence monitoring

Magnetotellurics

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24Tem peratura (°C)

125

100

75

50

25

0

1 40

1 35

1 30

1 20

1 15

1 10

1 05

95

90

85

80

70

65

60

55

45

40

35

30

20

15

10

5

Pro

fon

dit

à (m

)

3 0.05 .00

1 3.07 .00

22.05.02

06.02.03

Livello acqua:

22.05.02 = -17.8 m

06.02.03 = -14.0 m

Esempio di log term ico per controllo idrogeologico in un pozzo del volterrano(la c irco lazione la tera le in torno a -110 m d im inu isce e la curva tende verso la stab ilizzazione term ica).

HydrogeologyHydrogeology

3-D reservoir simulators, which are used to model underground non-isothermal, multi-phase flow of fluid mixtures and transport of solutes, coupled with chemical reactions (fluid-rock interactions) or geomechanics

Geothermal expertise at IGGGeothermal expertise at IGG

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000Anni

Pio

gg

e (

mm

)

FiPiLuArGr

Reservoir engineeringReservoir engineering

Petrology and petrographyPetrology and petrography

Rock-fluid interaction

Fluid inclusions in minerals

Mineralogical geothermometry

water

Steam

Geothermal expertise at IGGGeothermal expertise at IGG

GeochemistryGeochemistry

Fluid geochemistry

Gas geochemistry

Isotope geochemistry

Geothermal expertise at IGGGeothermal expertise at IGG

GeocronologyGeocronology

Geothermal expertise at IGGGeothermal expertise at IGG

The geothermal international The geothermal international activity of the IGG takes the form of activity of the IGG takes the form of

collaboration with institutes and collaboration with institutes and organizations abroad in scientific organizations abroad in scientific

research programmes, participation research programmes, participation in exploration projects and in in exploration projects and in

projects promoted by international projects promoted by international organizations such as the organizations such as the

Commission of the European Commission of the European Communities and the United Nations Communities and the United Nations

(IAEA, UNDP,UNESCO), as well as (IAEA, UNDP,UNESCO), as well as the activity of its the activity of its

International School of GeothermicsInternational School of Geothermics. . During more than 30 years of During more than 30 years of

activity, the School has trained over activity, the School has trained over 800 experts from all over the world 800 experts from all over the world

in its courses held in Italy and in its courses held in Italy and abroad. The School has also a wide abroad. The School has also a wide

experience in organizing experience in organizing international congresses, and in the international congresses, and in the preparation of teaching materials preparation of teaching materials

and handbooks.and handbooks.

The international journal "The international journal "GeothermicsGeothermics" " by Elsevier Science Ltd (Oxford) is edited at IGG. by Elsevier Science Ltd (Oxford) is edited at IGG.

IGG, and in particular its former International Institute for Geothermal Research, had also being one of the founder of the International Geothermal Association (IGA) in which it played an important role since its establishment.

The management of IGA Information Committee of the IGA BoD was held by IGG for two recent terms (1998-2001 and 2001-2004). IGG participated to IGA Information Committee for tens of years and is still doing it.

The activities of IGG will contribute mainly to WP3 The activities of IGG will contribute mainly to WP3 (exploration/investigation of geothermal systems), but (exploration/investigation of geothermal systems), but also to WP4 (reservoir assessment), WP5 also to WP4 (reservoir assessment), WP5 (environmental impact) and the related Expertise WPs.(environmental impact) and the related Expertise WPs.

The experience achieved with dissemination The experience achieved with dissemination (International School of Geothermics, Geothermics, IGA (International School of Geothermics, Geothermics, IGA Information Committee management) can also Information Committee management) can also contribute to the CA.contribute to the CA.