ABSTRACT
Based on an experimental study developed in a sector of the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) in 2015, this paper summarizes the result of an analysis concerning the exploitation of the geothermal energy from the rock mass around a tunnel. The geothermal heat stored inside the rock mass could be exploited by a closed-loop system composed by heat exchangers in the tunnel lining, so called energy lining. The potential energy of a stretch of the BBT was defined via geothermal characterization, laboratory tests and temperature measurements. The energy lining was designed for the present case. In order to exploit the extracted energy and have a reference to define the convenience of the investment, a road pavement with snow-melting and de-icing systems was supposed as potential energy user. The operating costs were compared with other heating solutions. The study shows the technical and economic feasibility of this solution and represents a step for future research on this subject.
