CO2 Capture and Storage techniques (CCS), along with improvements in energy efficiency and a wider use of renewable resources, can represent a key instrument for the reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Deep saline aquifers offer the largest storage potential of all the geologicalCO2 storage options and are widely distributed throughout the Earth. This study proposes that CO2 geological storage is a viable option in Italy and provides the first systematic evaluation of the potential reservoirs in the country. An estimation of the potential CO2 storage capacity of the selected Italian deep saline aquifers is presented. Most of the 14 identified areas lie in the major Italian sedimentary basins, i.e. the Apennine foredeep and the Adriatic foreland, which are characterized by thick accumulations of sediments. The potential reservoirs mainly comprise permeable terrigenous deep saline formations, whose capacity ranges from 30 to more than 1300 Mt. Based on very conservative estimates these areas would be able to contain the entire volume of CO2 emitted in Italy for at least the next fifty years. Although these evaluations have not been considered as definitive, this study highlights the great potential of such formations in terms of application of the CCS techniques, even in very complex tectonic settings such as those found in Italy.

CO2 storage potential of deep saline aquifers: The case of Italy

Donda F.;Volpi V.;
2011-01-01

Abstract

CO2 Capture and Storage techniques (CCS), along with improvements in energy efficiency and a wider use of renewable resources, can represent a key instrument for the reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Deep saline aquifers offer the largest storage potential of all the geologicalCO2 storage options and are widely distributed throughout the Earth. This study proposes that CO2 geological storage is a viable option in Italy and provides the first systematic evaluation of the potential reservoirs in the country. An estimation of the potential CO2 storage capacity of the selected Italian deep saline aquifers is presented. Most of the 14 identified areas lie in the major Italian sedimentary basins, i.e. the Apennine foredeep and the Adriatic foreland, which are characterized by thick accumulations of sediments. The potential reservoirs mainly comprise permeable terrigenous deep saline formations, whose capacity ranges from 30 to more than 1300 Mt. Based on very conservative estimates these areas would be able to contain the entire volume of CO2 emitted in Italy for at least the next fifty years. Although these evaluations have not been considered as definitive, this study highlights the great potential of such formations in terms of application of the CCS techniques, even in very complex tectonic settings such as those found in Italy.
2011
Carbon Capture and Storage; Italy; Aquifers
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Donda et al.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Altro materiale allegato
Licenza: Non specificato
Dimensione 885.1 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
885.1 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14083/3129
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 40
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 32
social impact