Innovative geothermal projects in Campania Region (Southern Italy)

Abstract

The Campanian volcanic area has a huge geothermal potential, second only to the Larderello-Radicondoli- Amiata region in Italy. Despite this high potential, the geothermal explorations of Neapolitan volcanoes, which lasted from 1939 to 1985, was not followed by a real exploitation. In recent times, the interest on geothermal exploitation for electricity generation in Italy is rapidly increasing and, among the Campanian volcanoes, the Campi Flegrei caldera and the Ischia Island represent two important targets for future geothermal exploitation projects. In the framework of geothermal energy utilization new Italian regulations, promulgated since 2009, incentivize and favour the construction of pilot power plant with innovative technologies and zero emissions. In recent time, in Campania Region, a number of new applications (explorations leases) were submitted to the Ministry for Economic Development (MISE) and most of them have been approved in the first phase of evaluation. In this paper will be focused to explain in detail these innovative geothermal projects taking place n Campania Region.