The course aims to provide the necessary knowledge for the implementation, through MODFLOW-USG, of a 3D numerical model of flow and heat transport for closed-loop (vertical Borehole Heat Exchangers, BHE) and open-loop (extraction and reinjection wells) geothermal heat pump systems. During the course the participants will learn how to implement the models and through them assess:
• The hydraulic perturbation induced by the extraction and reinjection wells (for open-loop system case).
• The thermal perturbation induced by the low-temperature geothermal system (for closed- and open-loop system cases).
• The possible interference and thermal short-circuiting between BHEs or wells of the same shallow geothermal system or different systems.
• The energy performance variation of the shallow geothermal system based on the layout of BHE or wells in a defined geothermal field.
The course will include an initial introduction about current Italian legislation and the basic concepts of numerical modeling of flow and heat transport, with detailed focus on the parameters useful for the heat transfer evaluation in porous media. Then, using the Groundwater Vistas version 9 interface (with temporary license provided by ESI) t, through some exercises the necessary steps to create a numerical model of flow and heat transport in MODFLOW-USG will be shown. Several scenarios will be developed to evaluate the variations of the heat transfer into the subsoil because of the presence of BHEs and/or geothermal wells. Participants must have backgrounds on flow modelling and should have basic backgrounds on contaminants transport modelling.