99502 - Subsurface Energy Systems

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will possess and manage the basic knowledge of subsurface energy systems (petroleum geosystems, underground energy storage, including hydrogen and natural gas, and the basics of CCSU, Carbon Capture, Storage and utilization). These topics represent strategic elements as far as world clean energy supply is concerned. More specifically, the student will be able to: • manage the technology used to produce underground fluids, and assess the consequent environmental impacts; • support the choices of subsurface energy systems in terms of environmental, social and economic sustainability; • use the numerical modeling for the study of subsurface energy systems

Course contents

The course is organized into two modules. The first offers a theoretical and practical introduction to subsurface energy fluids, with a specific focus on shallow geothermal energy systems — a promising decarbonization technology widely adopted across Europe. The second module concentrates on deep‑reservoir analysis, covering the fundamentals of fluid flow in porous media and the basics of numerical simulation.

Module 1 (Prof. Francesco Tinti) 

Basics of mineral deposits and their connection to subsurface energy fluids. Main types and characteristics of hydrocarbons and geothermal reservoirs. Surface and deep exploration methods. Drilling and production techniques. Underground natural gas and carbon dioxide storages. Introductory overview of natural hydrogen reservoirs.

Shallow geothermal energy systems: reservoir characterization; thermal response testing; drilling and installation techniques; hydraulic and thermal coupling with end‑users; design criteria and long‑term performance assessment. Practical exercises using specialized software.

Module 2 (Prof. Stefano Bonduà)

Fundamentals of fluid flow in porous media. Flow equations. Simulation of reservoir behavior using numerical modeling: basic concepts of discretization, numerical simulation of single-phase and multi-phase flow, model calibration and history matching.

Some basic applications for numerical simulations of underground storage of natural gas, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Numerical simulations in laboratory by using free software.

Readings/Bibliography

K. Bjørlykke: Petroleum Geoscience - From sedimentary Environments to rock physics. Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, second ed. 2015.

A.Y. Dandekar: Petroleum Reservoir Rock and Fluid Properties, CRC Press 2013.

I. Stober: Geothermal energy: from theoretical models to exploration and development, Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2013

BLOCON, 2026. Earth Energy Designer 4.0 Software manual

Supplemental teaching materials and lecture notes distributed during classroom hours

Italian Energy Resources Web portal

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures

Assessment methods

Students are required to take a written and/or oral examination consisting of a set of questions designed to assess their understanding, as well as practical exercises similar to those carried out during the course’s hands‑on sessions.

The examination also aims to evaluate the student’s methodological and critical abilities. Students will be invited to discuss the topics covered in class and to navigate the reference sources and bibliographic materials in order to identify the information needed.

Excellent marks will be awarded to students who demonstrate a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the issues addressed during the course, together with the ability to use them critically and to express themselves with clarity, accuracy, and appropriate technical language. A merely mechanical or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, or a capacity for synthesis and analysis that is correct but not fully articulated or supported by consistently appropriate terminology, will result in intermediate grades. Gaps in preparation and/or inappropriate language—although within a context of minimal knowledge of the subject—will lead to grades not exceeding the pass level. Significant gaps in preparation, inadequate language, and an inability to navigate the reference materials provided during the course will result in a failing grade.

Teaching tools

Classroom classical lectures and presentations. PC simulations.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Tinti

See the website of Stefano Bonduà