Exploring the Feasibility of Energy Extraction from the Bedretto Tunnel in Switzerland

IF 3 4区工程技术 Q3 ENERGY & FUELS

Energies Pub Date : 2024-07-25 DOI:10.3390/en17153669

Théo Halter, N. Gholizadeh Doonechaly, Adrien Notzon, Ladislaus Rybach, M. Hertrich, Domenico Giardini

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This feasibility study investigates extracting thermal energy from the Bedretto tunnel in the Swiss Alps, which benefits from subsurface heat flux and rock overburden insulation. Using the simulation software COMSOL Multiphysics, we created a numerical model of the tunnel environment to evaluate which medium between rock, air, and water serves as the most effective heat source. Our findings indicate that flowing water is the most effective heat source. Potential applications include distributing the water to nearby villages and storing remaining heat in the subsurface. Estimates indicate that the total extractable thermal energy ranges between 0.8 MWth and 1.5 MWth after reducing the water temperature to 4 °C via a heat pump. The study identifies the most suitable energy sourcing locations based on efficiency and investment costs. Circulating water to individual heat pumps in Bedretto, with the natural elevation difference, enables water transport without a pump. Cost analyses reveal that the investment in piping and heat pumps can be amortized within the equipment’s lifespan with appropriate economic models. With the same initial investments, district heating systems are viable in villages with over 30 connections. The payback periods are 10 years for 60 connections, 4.5 years for 90 connections, and immediate for 200 connections.

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探索从瑞士贝德雷托隧道提取能源的可行性

这项可行性研究调查了从瑞士阿尔卑斯山贝德雷托隧道提取热能的情况，该隧道得益于地下热通量和岩石覆盖层的隔热作用。利用模拟软件 COMSOL Multiphysics，我们创建了隧道环境的数值模型，以评估岩石、空气和水之间哪种介质是最有效的热源。我们的研究结果表明，流动的水是最有效的热源。潜在的应用包括将水分配到附近的村庄，并将剩余的热量储存在地下。据估算，通过热泵将水温降至 4 °C 后，可提取的总热能在 0.8 兆瓦/秒至 1.5 兆瓦/秒之间。该研究根据效率和投资成本确定了最合适的能源来源地点。在贝德雷托（Bedretto），利用自然高差将水循环至单个热泵，无需水泵即可实现水输送。成本分析表明，通过适当的经济模型，管道和热泵的投资可在设备使用寿命内摊销。在初始投资相同的情况下，区域供热系统在拥有 30 个以上连接点的村庄是可行的。60 个连接点的投资回收期为 10 年，90 个连接点的投资回收期为 4.5 年，200 个连接点的投资回收期可立即收回。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Energies ENERGY & FUELS-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

21.90%

发文量

8045

审稿时长

1.9 months

期刊介绍： Energies (ISSN 1996-1073) is an open access journal of related scientific research, technology development and policy and management studies. It publishes reviews, regular research papers, and communications. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There is no restriction on the length of the papers. The full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced.