Shallow Geothermal Modeling

Over the past two decades rising fossil fuel prices and the need to reduce CO2 emissions have led to the development of alternative energy research. One of the most readily available alternative energy resources is geothermal energy. Although the design and construction of shallow geothermal systems are already well understood, evaluating their effect on the subsurface environment requires appropriate modeling tools. The availability and reliability of computer codes for shallow geothermal systems are crucial to the further development and acceptance of this technology. This book evaluates the applicability of two transport codes (MT3DMS and FEFLOW) for heat transport simulations and provides analytical solutions for different scenarios. Sensitivity analysis were also performed on these models by varying model input parameters. Additionally, an open geothermal system was modeled with FEFLOW and the results are compared to field observations. This study will aid in the development of geothermal models and computer simulations to predict the behavior of the system and its environmental effects. It is useful to professionals in environmental and energy research and consultancy fields.