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Geothermal Energy

School  Natural Sciences
Academic Unit
 Geology Department
Level of Studies
 Undergraduate
Course Code
 GEO_805
Εξάμηνο σπουδών  7ο
Course Title
 Geothermal Energy
Independent Teaching Activities
 Lectures, laboratory work and tutorials 
Weekly Teaching Hours
 2 (lect.) + 1 (lab.) + 1 (tut.)
Credits  5
Course Type
 Field of Science and Skills Development
Prerequisite Courses
 Typically, there are not prerequisite courses. Essentially, the students should possess knowledge provided through the theoretical courses of Mineralogy, Petrography, Geochemistry, Hydrochemistry, Tectonics and Geodynamics.
Language of Instruction & Examinations
 Greek
Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students
 Yes, in English
Course Web-Page (URL)  https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO377/ 
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student will

  • Have a spherical view of the geothermal activity and the factors controlling the geothermal field formation.
  • Be acquainted with the methods and techniques applied in the exploration and the exploitation of geothermal fields.
  • Be aware of the major world and domestic geothermal fields.
  • Estimate the potential environmental impacts from the exploitation of geothermal energy.

Moreover, the student will have further developed the following skills/competences

  • Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relative to geothermal energy.
  • Ability to apply such knowledge and understanding to practical issues concerning the exploration and exploitation of geothermal fields.
  • Ability to refer to relative literature to enhance the already possessed knowledge.
  • Study skills needed for continuing professional development.
  • Ability to interact with others on inter or multidisciplinary problems.
General Competences
  • Generally, by the end of this course the student will have developed the following general abilities:
  • Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
  • Adaptation to new situations
  • Decision making
  • Autonomous (Independent) work
  • Group work
  • Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
  • Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking
  • Respect to natural environment
  • Work design and management 
Syllabus
  • Earth’s Heat: Origin, heat flow, geothermal gradient.
  • Regions with geothermal activity. The geothermal Field: Surface manifestations.
  • Geothermal fluids. Geothermometers.
  • Geothermal exploration and exploitation.
  • Geographical distribution of major geothermal fields worldwide and in Greece.
  • Geothermal Energy and environment.
Delivery  Lectures, seminars and laboratory work face to face.
Use of Information & Communication Technology
 Use of Information and Communication Technologies (e.g. power point presentations) in teaching. The lectures content of the course for each chapter are uploaded on the e-class webpage of the University, in the form of a series of pdf files; the students can freely download them using a password.
Teaching Methods
 
Activity Semester workload
Lectures (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)  2 X 13 = 26
Laboratory work (1 conduct hour per week x 13 weeks)  1 X 13 = 13
Preparation of presentation  35
Private study of the student and preparation of home-works 51
 Total number of hours for the Course 125 
 Student Performance Evaluation
  1. Exercises : During the semester the students have to do homework; the exercises have to be given to the teaching staff on time. This is the basic prerequisite for allowing participation in the final examination.
  2. Presentation : Shortly before the semester end the students have to present in the class certain subjects of the course (certain geothermal fields, geological-technical issues to face in geothermal exploration or exploitation). The mark of the presentation constitutes 30% of the final mark.
  3. Written examination : After the semester end, including questions of short and extended replies, exercise, diagramme interpretation etc. The mark of the written examination constitutes 70% of the final mark.
Minimum passing grade:  5.
Attached Bibliography

Suggested bibliography:

  1. Christanis K., Geothermics. University of Patras (textbook in Greek).
  2. Fytikas M. & Andritsos N., 2004. Geothermics. Tziolas Publ., Thessaloniki (in Greek).
  3. Huenges Ε., 2010. Geothermal Energy Systems. Exploration, Development, and Utilization. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Related academic journals:

  1. Geothermics (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/geothermics)