Harnessing Low-Enthalpy Geothermal Energy to Enhance Road Infrastructure Resilience: Insights from GEO-ROAD Project

Abstract

‎[EN] Geothermal systems offer an effective solution for enhancing the resilience of road infrastructure to extreme weather events. Their key advantages (such as independence from external climatic conditions and the potential for continuous operation) make them significant improvement over conventional approaches, including de-icing or protecting road surfaces from high temperatures. Within this context, the GEO-ROAD project aims to develop a predictive platform to identify the most promising locations for the deployment of geothermal energy in road infrastructure. A central component of this research is the methodology used to characterize the subsurface energy resource across the study area (Spain) and to develop corresponding geothermal potential models. Following an initial geological and thermal assessment, a refined model is presented that integrates geophysical data from satellite missions, airborne surveys, and field measurements. Finally, this work highlights the importance of high-precision geothermal potential models, which provide a robust foundation for optimizing the use of geothermal energy, particularly in the road sector considered.