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Faculty of Mining and Geology

ECTS Course Overview



Geothermal Energy

* Exchange students do not have to consider this information when selecting suitable courses for an exchange stay.

Course Unit Code541-0580/06
Number of ECTS Credits Allocated5 ECTS credits
Type of Course Unit *Optional
Level of Course Unit *Second Cycle
Year of Study *
Semester when the Course Unit is deliveredWinter Semester
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
Language of InstructionEnglish
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites Course succeeds to compulsory courses of previous semester
Name of Lecturer(s)Personal IDName
KUN109doc. Ing. Antonín Kunz, Ph.D.
POR041Ing. Michal Matloch Porzer, Ph.D.
Summary
The course Geothermal Energy provides a comprehensive overview of the possibilities for utilizing heat energy from the Earth's interior. It covers the classification and principles of geothermal systems (hydrothermal, geopressured, magmatic, and hot dry rock systems – HDR/EGS), exploration methodologies, technical aspects of production well completion, low-temperature technologies, and economic evaluations of heat pump performance. Special emphasis is placed on the distribution of geothermal resources in the Czech Republic and abroad, as well as the assessment of environmental impacts resulting from their exploitation.

Professional Knowledge
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to explain and critically assess the operating principles of various types of geothermal systems (hydrothermal, geopressured, magmatic, and hot dry rock systems), exploration methodologies, production well completion technology, low-temperature applications, and the environmental impact of geothermal energy utilization.

Professional Skills
Upon completing the course, the student will analyze the geological and hydrogeological conditions of a target site, propose a suitable type of geothermal system along with its technical completion method, select and justify the optimal energy extraction technology (including low-temperature applications), and evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of the proposed solution.

General Competencies
The student will be able to make independent and responsible decisions when designing and implementing geothermal projects under new or changing geological and legislative conditions, coordinate partial team tasks, professionally defend the chosen geothermal system option before a technical audience, and consider the environmental, ethical, and socioeconomic consequences of its operation.
Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit
Possibilities of using geothermal energy, types of geothermal systems and methods of using their energy, hydrothermal systems, geopressure systems, hot dry rock systems, magmatic systems, research and methodology for searching for geothermal systems, occurrence and distribution of geothermal resources abroad and in the Czech Republic, geothermal energy and the natural environment, equipping geothermal extraction wells, techniques and technologies for low-temperature areas, economic evaluation of the performance of heat pumps.
Course Contents
Introduction to the geothermal energy
2. Geothermal systems and an overview of the methods of their utilisation
3. Exploration of the geothermal energy resources
4. Overview of the geothermal resources in the Czech Republic and in the world
5. Drilling and completion of geothermal boreholes
6. Ground source heat pumps
7. Design of the primary borehole exchangers
8. Underground thermal energy storage
9. Design of the geothermal systems
10. Management of the geothermal projects
11. Legal, environmental and risks aspects of the geothermal projects
12. Research and development of the low potential geothermal energy
13. Case study I
14. Case study II
Recommended or Required Reading
Required Reading:
BERMAN, E. R.: Geothermal energy. Park Ridge, N.J.: Noyes Data Corp., 1975. xi, 336 p. p. ISBN 0815505639.
SAMUEL, G. R.: Downhole Drilling Tools. Theory and Practice for Engineers and Students. Gulf Publishing Company Houston, Texas, USA ss. 648, 2007.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.. ASHRAE GreenGuide - Design, Construction, and Operation of Sustainable Buildings (5th Edition). American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), 2018.
CABEZA, LUISA F.: Advances in Thermal Energy Storage Systems - Methods and Applications. Elsevier, 2015.
MYSLIL, V. Geotermální energie : ekologická energie z hlubin Země - současné možnosti využívání. Praha: Ministerstvo životního prostředí, 2007. 32 s. p.
PETRÁŠ, D. A KOL.: Nízkoteplotní vytápění a obnovitelné zdroje energie, JAGA, Bratislava, 2008, ss. 207
CENK, M. A KOL.: Obnovitelné zdroje energie, FCC PUBLIC, Praha, 2001, ss. 208
CABEZA, LUISA F.: Advances in Thermal Energy Storage Systems - Methods and Applications. Elsevier, 2015.
Recommended Reading:
TREVOR M. LETCHER: Future Energy - Improved, Sustainable and Clean Options our Planet. Elsevier, Netherlands, 2008.
DIPIPPO, R.: Geothermal Power Plants - Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact (4th Edition). Elsevier, 2016.
ZEKTSER, IGOR S. EVERETT, LORNE G.: Ground Water Resources of the World and Their Use. National Ground Water Association, 2006.
BREEZE, P.: Power Generation Technologies (2nd Edition). Elsevier, 2014.
PINKA, J., WITTENBERGER, G., ENGEL, J.: Dobývanie ložísk vrtmi. AMS, F BERG, TU Košice, 2006, ss. 227
TYWONIAK, J.: Nízkoenergetické domy. Principy a příklady. Grada Publishing, Praha, 2005, ss. 193
DIPIPPO, R.: Geothermal Power Plants-Principles, Applications, Case Studies and Environmental Impact (4th Edition). Elsevier, 2016.
BREEZE, P.: Power Generation Technologies (2nd Edition). Elsevier, 2014.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, Individual consultations, Tutorials, Field trip, Teaching by an expert (lecture or tutorial)
Assesment methods and criteria
Tasks are not Defined