Aims of the project

Main aim of the GeoCOOL FOOD project is to apply an interdisciplinary approach (including geological, biological, technical, energetic and management aspects) for exploration of shallow geothermal energy potential and optimizing technological solutions that will ensure energy- and cost-efficient cold storage of vegetables. Leading research institutions cooperate within the project: Geological Survey of Slovenia (RO 215), Biotechnical Faculty of University of Ljubljana (RO 481) and Institute "Jožef Stefan" (RO 106).

The low self-sufficiency rate for vegetables in Slovenia, which was only 48% in 2020, can be increased by maintaining high quality of locally grown food for longer. Shortening of the transport chain will reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture and contribute to mitigation of climate change. To be able to do so it is necessary to increase the use of renewable energy resources where shallow geothermal energy (SGTE) is one of them. Energy-efficient cold storage solutions must be adapted to the local geological and climatic conditions and tailored to food storage requirements. Optimal planning of SGTE use enables cost-effective solutions that can reduce local food prices and the demand for food imports. To our knowledge, there are yet no solutions for cold storage of vegetables using PGTE in Slovenia or its vicinity. Therefore, our results will address these aspects and foster the energy transition of the agricultural sector.

We will identify most promising areas to develop cool storage using SGTE in Slovenia using new field measurements and numerical models at a selected pilot area. Simulations will assure optimized technological solutions with energy-, cost- and environmental-effective approaches in agriculture. All-inclusive approach will support also transfer of these new methods into neighbouring countries.

Project content by work packages and timeline (M=month)

1. Inventory of existing cold storage systems and analysis of their energy requirements for vegetable production, based on the results of at least one year of measurements of the operation of the selected cold storage for cabbage and/or lettuce (M 20).
2. Identification of typical baseline and peak energy demand and excess heat to be rejected to the ground in at least one pilot area, also based on a pilot cold storage site (M 22).
3. Analysis of natural settings for characterisation of the selected pilot area, also by drilling at least 150 m deep exploratory borehole and performing a thermal response test (M21).
4. Analysis of available geothermal heat pump technologies with a proposal for the selection of the most appropriate technologies in agricultural buildings according to the identified natural conditions (M 18).
5. Selection of the most appropriate quantification model for SGTE potential, accounting also for seasonal energy storage in groundwater (aquifer thermal energy storage) or in rock (borehole thermal energy storage) (M20).
6. Determination of optimal criteria for the deployment of geothermal facilities in the pilot area based on analytical and numerical simulations (M 27).
7. Preparation of draft technical guidelines and proposals for (legislative) constraints for practical implementation of SGTE, taking into account their impact on the environment. They will be prepared for the official procedure of the Ministry of Infrastructure (M 36).
8. Organization of a public workshop to discuss the draft guidelines (M 31).

Financing

The total project costs are estimated to 140,000.00 EUR. The project GeoCOOL FOOD, No. V1-2213, is financed in the same shares by the Slovenian Research Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.

Members of the project group

Code	Name and surname	Research organisation
28455	dr. Nina Rman	Geological Survey of Slovenia
19280	dr. Mitja Janža	Geological Survey of Slovenia
17541	mag. Andrej Lapanje	Geological Survey of Slovenia
56294	Nejc Bizjak	Geological Survey of Slovenia
51988	Simona Adrinek	Geological Survey of Slovenia
37012	Simona Pestotnik	Geological Survey of Slovenia
11018	mag. Joerg Prestor	Geološki zavod Slovenije
28457	dr. Jernej Jež	Geological Survey of Slovenia
07984	mag. Dušan Rajver	Geological Survey of Slovenia
05733	dr. Rajko Vidrih	Biotechnical Faculty
54964	Nik Mahnič (to 30.11.2022)	Biotechnical Faculty
51862	Marjeta Mencin (from 1.12.2022)	Biotechnical Faculty
35578	dr. Gašper Stegnar	Institute "Jožef Stefan"
23297	dr. Marko Matkovič	Institute "Jožef Stefan"
15534	mag. Jure Čižman	Institute "Jožef Stefan"
10971	mag. Damir Staničić	Institute "Jožef Stefan"

Results

Bled, 37. tradicionalni posvet JSKS, 29. 11. 2022