Evaluation of geothermal energy production using a WellBore Heat eXchanger in the reservoirs of Campi Flegrei and Ischia Island

Abstract

The volcanic district of Campania (Italy) is an area with a remarkable geothermal potential, especially in the areas of the Vesuvio, Campi Flegrei and Ischia Island. However, in the Campania region it is very difficult to obtain the community support for geothermal projects because the population is scared by of possible induced seismic and volcanic phenomena related to the plant activities.
A good compromise between the social acceptance and the geothermal energy exploitation can be the extraction of heat without the production of geothermal fluids by using a heat exchanger inside the well, the WellBore Heat eXchanger (WBHX). The aim of this work is the evaluation of the performance of the wellbore heat exchanger in the reservoir of Campi Flegrei and Ischia Island.