| Title | Geothermal Energy Use, Country Update for Italy (2015-2019) |
|---|---|
| Authors | Davide SERRA, Maurizio CEI, Mirco LUPI |
| Year | 2020 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Italy, Geothermal, Electricity Generation, Country update, Development. |
| Abstract | This paper presents an overview on the development of geothermal energy applications in Italy during the five-year period 2015-2019. In Italy, the geothermal resources are used for both electricity generation and direct uses. Power plants are located in Tuscany, in the two “historical†areas of Larderello-Travale (in operation since 1904) and Mount Amiata. Direct used are widespread over the whole Italian territory. To date, Enel Green Power is the only geo-electricity producer in Italy. In the year 2018, with an installed capacity of 915.8 MWe (807 MWe efficient capacity), 37 generating units and over 500 wells managed, the gross electricity generation reached about 6.1 billion kWh, (the record of electricity produced from geothermal resource in Italy was achieved in 2016 with about 6.3 billion kWh); The paper deals with geo-electricity production, drilling activities and investments. Current status and future developments are illustrated with a particular focus on the first new geothermal lease from 1999 called “Miliaâ€, directly emitted by Tuscany Region and the only geothermal lease that expires after 2024 (end 2044). The preliminary drilling activity for the construction of the new 20 MW Monterotondo 2 geothermal power plant (located within “Milia†lease) is underway, expected to be operational by the end of 2020. The surface exploration conducted in the four research permits was completed in 2018. The results of these investigations carried out made it possible to request the exploitation license for two of them (Murci and Boccheggiano). |