Empirical modeling of maps of geo-exchange potential for shallow geothermal energy at regional scale

An empirical method aimed at generating maps of potential of geothermal energy exchange for shal-low vertical closed-loop systems is proposed here. The method uses both geological and technologicalinformation. In particular, the ground parameters that mainly influence the heat transfer in borehole heatexchangers, the energetic parameters driving efficient operations of geothermal systems and heating andcooling requirements of a typical residential building are taken into account. Spatial modeling is carriedout in a Geographic Information System leading to an effective and easy-to-use digital cartographic tool.An application of the method to four regions of southern Italy is also shown.