METODOLOGÍA BASADA EN SIG PARA EL MAPEADO Y VALORACIÓN DEL POTENCIAL GEOTÉRMICO SUPERFICIAL EN LA REGIÓN DE MURCIA (ESPAÑA)

Abstract

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) is a low carbon heating and cooling technology which can make an important contribution to the CO2 reduction targets set by the European Union. The economic and technical suitability of this technology strongly depends on the thermal and hydrogeological properties of the ground, which determine the shallow geothermal potential at the installation site. A new methodology has been created which is capable of assessing quantitatively this potential and to determine those areas where both the highest economic as well as environmental benefits can be expected. The spatial analysis, based on Geographical Information System (GIS), uses various input layers on e.g. thermal properties and hydrogeological parameters, to assess the shallow geothermal potential and to identify the optimum areas for its exploitation through GSHP (high shallow geothermal potential, housing target areas or high population density among others). The Region of Murcia (Spain) has been selected as a case study, however, this methodology is applicable to other areas where this decision making tool can improve the integration of shallow geothermal energy investments in local energy efficiency programs.