The solution for Italy's
energy transition
Pangea is FRI-EL GEO’s ambitious project aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, decreasing fossil fuel dependence, and lowering energy costs for citizens and companies alike: this is our challenge!
A medium-enthalpy geothermal power plant coupled with a closed-cycle thermodynamic cycle (ORC – Organic Ranking Cycle) can generate electricity and heat from a reliable source, without greenhouse gas emissions, 24/7 and with a high forecast of the quantities supplied.
Potential impact of Pangea
- Minus 17.3 megatonnes CO2 in northern Italy
- 15% reduction of national gas
- Potential capacity of 20 gigawatts (needs of 2.8 million households per day)
Pangea project: background of opportunity
"We need to focus on renewables. Italy is one of the best countries in the world for geothermal energy, neglecting it is a pity."
Prof. Giorgio Parisi, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Sapienza University of Rome, Vice-President of the Accademia dei Lincei, Nobel Prize winner for Physics
The strong regulatory push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, coupled with recent geopolitical developments in Europe, multiplied the importance to increase national energy independence from natural gas imports.
Over the past two years, FRI-EL GEO has been able to identify potential geothermal areas to install extraction plans. Through exploratory wells and seismic surveys, the company has identified potential geothermal reservoirs located close to major urban centres in Northern and Central Italy that already have district heating networks, or have the predisposition, to connect geothermal plants.
FRI-EL GEO together with a group of geothermal specialists have demonstrated that mid-enthalpy, closed-cycle (binary-cycle) geothermal plants would drastically improve Italy’s energy mix. The first cutting-edge project is already under construction in Ostellato, in the province of Ferrara, where hi-tech greenhouses will be powered by a geothermal plant.
The key components of the geothermal system:
- Twin wells for the extraction and re-injection of fluids into the reservoir
- ORC system for electricity production
- Connection to the heat to district heating
Key numbers
~150°
temperature at wellhead
5.500m
depth below surface
5
plant doublets
~175-250 MWt
thermal output per plant
~30-35 MWe
electrical power per plant
CLEAN ENERGY, INFINITE SUPPLY
The benefits of Pangea
How can we satisfy the growing national demand for energy and at the same time reduce CO2 emissions? The geothermal technology at closed-cycle (binary cycle) and mid-enthalpy allows the use of the natural terrestrial heat to produce clean energy.
Emissione zero
di gas serra
Riscaldamento
ecologico
Energia verde
e pulita
Basso impatto
ambientale
Risorsa indipendente da condizioni meteorologiche
Disponibile 24/7
tutto l’anno
Italy's unexplored geothermal treasure trove
The Po Valley of Italy is an area with high potential for deep geothermal power due to the presence of numerous permeable reservoirs and suitable aquifers. The northern part of Italy is particularly suitable to satisfy the huge demand of energy. Pangea is the tool that allows us to sustainably optimise the use of Italy’s thermal power.
Opportunities
of application identified in Italy
Projects
realisable in the short term
