The course intends to introduce the students to the geophysical applications for the environmental risk mitigations and engineering needs. High resolution near surface methods will be presented with a practical view, in order to explore limits and capabilities of each method. The students will be introduced to the acquisition processing and presentation of geophysical data in order to answer several environmental and engineering problems, from subsoil hydrology to natural hazards as seismic and hydrological risks.
At the end the students must be able to choose the most suitable geophysical methods for a specific risk issue, basing on resolution capabilities, cost, logistics and final efficiency.
At the end the students must be able to choose the most suitable geophysical methods for a specific risk issue, basing on resolution capabilities, cost, logistics and final efficiency.
- Docente: Jacopo Boaga
- Docente: Ilaria Barone
- Docente: Anna Breda
- Docente: Giorgio Cassiani
Course description
In the field of renewable energies, the course is devoted to the geothermal resources. The program will highlight the origin and dynamics of geothermal resources and fluids and the main exploration and exploitation technologies aimed to their use. It will consider both high and low enthalpy systems in terms of origin, behavior, potential and real uses, environmental and economic benefits and impacts.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should know the main principles related to high and low enthalpy geothermal energy systems, the main techniques of the geothermal exploration and the technologies for their exploitation in several environmental, territorial and geological contexts. Through practical exercises and field trips students will be involved in the processes of resources estimation and in the design and sizing of the geothermal plants.
Pre-requirements
Intermediate knowledge of the main natural physical phenomena, fundamental of mathematics and thermo-physics.
Course topics
INTRODUCTION TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Fundamentals of geology, the structure of the Earth, origin of geothermal resources, geothermal gradient and geothermal anomalies, the thermal properties of the ground, field methods to assess ground thermal properties. Geothermal exploration techniques.
FUNDAMENTALS OF HYDROGEOLOGY Introduction to groundwater and hydrodynamics in porous media. Water wells and wells design. Unsaturated zone and aquifers properties. Heat propagation in the aquifers.
LOW ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Open-loop geothermal systems. Closed-loop geothermal systems. Thermal Response Test, Heat pumps and plants. Legal, technical and economic elements. Sustainability and assessment of resources. Environmental impact and implementation with particular focus on urban areas.
HIGH ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Geothermal reservoirs (water and vapour dominated geothermal systems, hot dry rock systems). Deep geothermal exploration techniques. Uses of high enthalpy geothermal systems. Estimation, sustainability and environmental impact. Economic highlights in the energy world market.
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE Underground storage of heat at different temperature, depth and scopes, for heat and power supply
Additional information
Course structure
- Lessons
- Numerical exercises on open and closed-loop systems
- Field trips:
1) Low enthalpy geothermal power plant in Padua (Ex Geriatrico Hospital
2) High enthalpy geothermal power plants in Larderello, Italy.
3) Thermal Energy Storage Systems.
Reading materials
Teachers notes. These are the base for the exam.
Suggested books:
- David Banks, An Introduction to Thermogeology: Ground Source Heating and Cooling, 2nd Edition. Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-67034-7
- Ronald DiPippo, Geothermal Power Plants (3rd Edition) Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact. Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-08-098206-9
Assessment and grading criteria for ONSITE exam
Exam: Powerpoint presentation, regarding a personal innovative geothermal solution, and its interactive discussion
PS.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.
MASTER THESIS proposals:
1 - High temperature underground heat exchanger for geothermal power production in Aeolian Islands (Italy). Fieldwork/numerical modelling/laboratory + optional internship INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology)
2- Heat storage systems. Physical Model tests/numerical modelling/laboratory material preparations + optional internship CNR (National Research Council)
3- Large closed loop Ground source heat pump systems in Adriatic sea coastal area (Lido di Venezia-Italy). Real case application/ fieldwork/numerical modelling + optional internship HIREF SpA
4 - Large real application of closed loop ground heat exchangers (New Venice Stadium). Real case application/ fieldwork/numerical modelling + optional internship UNIPD
5 – Mountain Refuge sustainability by use of geothermal and local energy supply solutions. Real case / fieldwork/ + optional internship CAI (Italian Alpine Club)
6- New open loop geothermal solution for Padova University to improve buildings sustainability. Real case application/numerical modelling + optional internship UNIPD
7- Microplastic on salts. Analysys of world salt chemical contents Laboratory analyses + optional internship UNIPD and CIS (Italian Salt Company)
8- Innovative smart geothermal solutions for Trinity College in Dublin (Ireland). Real case application/numerical modelling + optional internship Geoserv LTD Ireland
9- Fiber optic based thermal response test application in different geological context. Real case application + fieldwork + optional internship UNIPD
ESCURSIONS PLAN:
November 2026
Val di Non (TN) - Underground food storage
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tl_-xnt6Hcliag8SIiJjwcfTjWHcU8rR/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106353838479368671056&rtpof=true&sd=true
November 2026
fieldtrip in the Euganean Geothermal Basin excursion (20 Km far from Padova) Starting from the Dept of Geoscience at 9.00 and come back at around 13.00
December
Ex Hospital Geriatrico (Padova city center)- Real case of shallow geothermal Plant
December 2026
fieldtrip Larderello (PI) - Geothermal Electric Power plant
In the field of renewable energies, the course is devoted to the geothermal resources. The program will highlight the origin and dynamics of geothermal resources and fluids and the main exploration and exploitation technologies aimed to their use. It will consider both high and low enthalpy systems in terms of origin, behavior, potential and real uses, environmental and economic benefits and impacts.
Expected Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students should know the main principles related to high and low enthalpy geothermal energy systems, the main techniques of the geothermal exploration and the technologies for their exploitation in several environmental, territorial and geological contexts. Through practical exercises and field trips students will be involved in the processes of resources estimation and in the design and sizing of the geothermal plants.
Pre-requirements
Intermediate knowledge of the main natural physical phenomena, fundamental of mathematics and thermo-physics.
Course topics
INTRODUCTION TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Fundamentals of geology, the structure of the Earth, origin of geothermal resources, geothermal gradient and geothermal anomalies, the thermal properties of the ground, field methods to assess ground thermal properties. Geothermal exploration techniques.
FUNDAMENTALS OF HYDROGEOLOGY Introduction to groundwater and hydrodynamics in porous media. Water wells and wells design. Unsaturated zone and aquifers properties. Heat propagation in the aquifers.
LOW ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Open-loop geothermal systems. Closed-loop geothermal systems. Thermal Response Test, Heat pumps and plants. Legal, technical and economic elements. Sustainability and assessment of resources. Environmental impact and implementation with particular focus on urban areas.
HIGH ENTHALPY GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM Geothermal reservoirs (water and vapour dominated geothermal systems, hot dry rock systems). Deep geothermal exploration techniques. Uses of high enthalpy geothermal systems. Estimation, sustainability and environmental impact. Economic highlights in the energy world market.
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE Underground storage of heat at different temperature, depth and scopes, for heat and power supply
Additional information
Course structure
- Lessons
- Numerical exercises on open and closed-loop systems
- Field trips:
1) Low enthalpy geothermal power plant in Padua (Ex Geriatrico Hospital
2) High enthalpy geothermal power plants in Larderello, Italy.
3) Thermal Energy Storage Systems.
Reading materials
Teachers notes. These are the base for the exam.
Suggested books:
- David Banks, An Introduction to Thermogeology: Ground Source Heating and Cooling, 2nd Edition. Wiley. ISBN: 978-0-470-67034-7
- Ronald DiPippo, Geothermal Power Plants (3rd Edition) Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact. Elsevier. ISBN: 978-0-08-098206-9
Assessment and grading criteria for ONSITE exam
Exam: Powerpoint presentation, regarding a personal innovative geothermal solution, and its interactive discussion
PS.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.
MASTER THESIS proposals:
1 - High temperature underground heat exchanger for geothermal power production in Aeolian Islands (Italy). Fieldwork/numerical modelling/laboratory + optional internship INGV (National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology)
2- Heat storage systems. Physical Model tests/numerical modelling/laboratory material preparations + optional internship CNR (National Research Council)
3- Large closed loop Ground source heat pump systems in Adriatic sea coastal area (Lido di Venezia-Italy). Real case application/ fieldwork/numerical modelling + optional internship HIREF SpA
4 - Large real application of closed loop ground heat exchangers (New Venice Stadium). Real case application/ fieldwork/numerical modelling + optional internship UNIPD
5 – Mountain Refuge sustainability by use of geothermal and local energy supply solutions. Real case / fieldwork/ + optional internship CAI (Italian Alpine Club)
6- New open loop geothermal solution for Padova University to improve buildings sustainability. Real case application/numerical modelling + optional internship UNIPD
7- Microplastic on salts. Analysys of world salt chemical contents Laboratory analyses + optional internship UNIPD and CIS (Italian Salt Company)
8- Innovative smart geothermal solutions for Trinity College in Dublin (Ireland). Real case application/numerical modelling + optional internship Geoserv LTD Ireland
9- Fiber optic based thermal response test application in different geological context. Real case application + fieldwork + optional internship UNIPD
ESCURSIONS PLAN:
November 2026
Val di Non (TN) - Underground food storage
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tl_-xnt6Hcliag8SIiJjwcfTjWHcU8rR/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106353838479368671056&rtpof=true&sd=true
November 2026
fieldtrip in the Euganean Geothermal Basin excursion (20 Km far from Padova) Starting from the Dept of Geoscience at 9.00 and come back at around 13.00
December
Ex Hospital Geriatrico (Padova city center)- Real case of shallow geothermal Plant
December 2026
fieldtrip Larderello (PI) - Geothermal Electric Power plant
- Docente: Antonio Galgaro
Introduction to Dynamic Meteorology; Elements of Synoptic Meteorology and Mesoscale Meteorology
- Docente: Mario Miglietta