Design of a Geothermal Plant to Heat a Water Park Swimming Pool: Case Study of Tramutola (Basilicata, Italy)

Economic development is strongly correlated with the energy use whose increase, however, induces a rise of greenhouse gas emissions. The production of renewable energy can help to decouple this correlation by reducing the emissions and, as a consequence, by contributing to a sustainable development. To meet the emissions' targets defined by the Kyoto Protocol in 2005, many international organizations and governments are promoting a wide use of renewable energy in the private and public sectors. Geothermal energy is the renewable characterised by the most secure base-load and low greenhouse gas emissions. It supplies both heat for direct use and energy for power production. In particular, it could give a significant contribute mainly in the heat production that accounts for more than half of the world final energy consumption, by considering also that three quarters of this heat demand is currently met by fossil fuels, by causing a significant impact on climate and environment. The aim of this paper is to present a case study where the thermal potential of the geothermal resource is exploited. Specifically, a technical study, coupled with an appropriate economic analysis, is presented. This study is finalised to design a geothermal plant that can guarantee the heating of a swimming pool of the water park of Tramutola, in Basilicata region. The swimming pool is located 300 m from a hot water well that represents the geothermal source. The water, that is characterised by a temperature of 28 °C and a flow of 10 l/s, will be conducted to the swimming pool. In particular, the study will consist in the design of the whole plant and its elements (i.e. heat exchanger, heat pump, pipeline, etc.). The economic analysis will allow to evaluate the costs of the system and its feasibility.