Sustainable Development Goals, natural risks and best practices for low enthalpy geothermal systems: Apulian experiences

The United Nations General Assembly of 2015 approved the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is based on the 17 sustainable development objectives (SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals). These objectives were assumed as landmarks to define the route of the regional decision, orienteering the legislative activity and the regional planning to the global context. The described experience is focused on the objective 7, concerning the development of renewable energy sources. The use of low enthalpy geothermal systems is part of a regional strategy for mitigating and adapting to climate change in Apulia. These systems allow reduction of energy consumption and emission by fossil fuels, offering the best thermal comfort, and lend itself to integration with other thermal renewable energy sources, using heat pumps. Many projects were developed as many geothermal systems are operating in Apulia, some of which can be classified as best practices, which deserve to be brought to the attention of the decision makers. At same time, as the diffuse realization of these systems calls for a systematic definition of optimal technical criteria, defined considering possible natural risks and potential negative effects. The cooperation between the Apulian Regional Council and the CNR is part of an evidence-based legislation process and is focused on two main scopes. At global scale, the selection for sharing purposes of data and best practices at local, regional, national and international level, which are functional to progress related to the long-term implementation of the SDGs, was pursued. At detailed or regional scale, a research on optimal criteria to guide the approval of new geothermal system was realized. Effects of system installation and use, including underground temperature variations, are considered, assessing any kind of natural risks due to use of low enthalpy geothermal system.