ATLAS PROJECT (Geothermal Atlas of Southern Italy)
ATLAS PROJECT is a research project dedicated to the characterization, classification, and mapping of conventional and unconventional geothermal resources for electricity generation in the regions of Southern Italy. The project, which took place between 2011 and 2016, covers the nine regions of Southern Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia, and focuses on medium- to high-temperature resources suitable for geothermal electricity generation.
The primary objective is to identify and provide distribution maps of areas with favorable conditions (hence the term "favorability") for hosting geothermal systems (hydrothermal, EGS, magmatic, supercritical, and geopressurized) suitable for electricity generation.
Other objectives of the project included: organizing geothermal data into web-accessible databases and creating a geothermal information portal to support regional energy policy, for the public and institutional users; disseminating information useful for understanding and promoting geothermal energy; the study and evaluation of environmental aspects related to the use of resources for the purpose of guiding investigative, construction, and management practices aimed at minimizing potential impacts.