Representatives of GeoZS, the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Faculty of Biotechnology of the University of Ljubljana participated in the 63rd International Agri-Food Fair AGRA in Gornja Radgona. In the framework of the expert programme, we presented the key results of the GeoCOOL-FOOD targeted research project and possible directions for further research in the new GeoAI project.

The presentation showed:

• measurements in two pilot areas - Podravje and Posavje,
• the construction of a 100 m deep exploration geoprobe GCF-1/24 in Brod, Podbočje,
• a methodology for calculating the energy and economic efficiency of shallow geothermal energy for cold stores.

We stressed that for a good economic viability of the investment, it is crucial to plan for a dual use system - heating and cooling, with the floor serving as a seasonal heat store.

The following issues play an important role in the decision to introduce shallow geothermal:

• Are we building a new cold store or energy rehabilitating an existing one?
• Is cooling only needed on hot summer days or is the cold store open all year round?
• What is the regime and quantity of vegetable intake that determines the required system strength?
• Are there other heat or cold consumers on the farm that could be connected to a smart energy system?
• Is there sufficient groundwater available on the site for the use of an open water-to-water system?

The most important influences on the return on investment are:

• the price of energy,
• the power of the geoprobe,
• annual system load,

More information on the project is available at here.

You are also invited to read the article published in Gorenjska glas.