Estudio preliminar del potencial geotérmico renovable del subsuelo de la región del Biobio.
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Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
Este trabajo desarrolla la evaluación del potencial geotérmico renovable de baja entalpía en el subsuelo de la Región del Biobío. El objetivo principal es construir una línea base regional que permita identificar, de forma preliminar, la factibilidad para el aprovechamiento térmico del recurso mediante sistemas geotérmicos someros, aportando valores referenciales de potencia de captación y estableciendo limitaciones e incertidumbres propias de un estudio a escala regional. La metodología se basa en la implementación de dos enfoques de cálculo integrados en el software ArcGIS. El método sHE (sondas geotérmicas verticales cerradas) utilizado en la región, exceptuando una parte de la Cordillera de los Andes, zona que está relacionada con alta actividad volcánica y el método de captaciones horizontales (colectores someros) aplicado a la totalidad de la región. El estudio se sustenta exclusivamente en datos de dominio público y supuestos bibliográficos, utilizando cartografía a escala 1:1.000.000 (mapas geológicos de SERNAGEOMIN, edafológicos de SOTERLAC y balances hídricos), priorizando la reproducibilidad de los resultados. Los resultados se presentan mediante mapas temáticos y estadísticas descriptivas que permiten comparar el comportamiento espacial del recurso para configuraciones verticales y horizontales. Para el método sHE, siguiendo valores tabulados y condiciones de saturación/litología, las potencias específicas de captación estimadas varían entre 42,3 y 90 [ 𝑊 𝑚 ], con un promedio regional de 59 [ 𝑊 𝑚 ], lo que sugiere un potencial moderado y relativamente homogéneo para instalaciones verticales cerradas en gran parte del territorio evaluado. En el caso de las captaciones horizontales, mediante una formulación reducida basada en la conductividad térmica (k) y la difusividad térmica (α), se obtuvo un rango de valores de potencial geotérmico superficial para instalaciones a 2 [m] de profundidad entre −9,74 y 13,2 [ 𝑊 𝑚2], siendo los valores positivos aquellos en que el suelo aporta calor al sistema, útil para calefacción, y los valores negativos indican cuando el suelo extrae calor del sistema, es decir, el suelo actúa como disipador térmico y enfriando ambientes.
This work assesses the renewable low-enthalpy geothermal potential of the subsurface in the Biobío Region. The main objective is to build a regional baseline that supports a preliminary identification of the technical feasibility of using shallow geothermal systems for thermal applications, providing reference values of capture power while acknowledging the limitations and uncertainties inherent to a regional-scale assessment. The methodology implements two integrated calculation approaches within ArcGIS. The sHE method (vertical closed-loop borehole heat exchangers) is applied across the region, excluding a sector of the Andes associated with high volcanic activity where the approach is not applicable, while the shallow horizontal-collector method is applied to the entire region. The study relies exclusively on public-domain data and bibliographic assumptions, using 1:1.000.000 scale cartography (SERNAGEOMIN geological maps, SOTERLAC soil data, and water-balance products) and prioritizing reproducibility. Results are presented through thematic maps and descriptive statistics that compare the spatial behavior of the resource for vertical and horizontal configurations. For the sHE method, using tabulated reference values and saturation/lithology conditions, estimated specific capture power ranges from 42,3 to 90 [ 𝑊 𝑚 ], with a regional average of 59 [ 𝑊 𝑚1], suggesting a moderate and relatively homogeneous potential for closed-loop vertical installations over much of the evaluated territory. For horizontal collectors, a reduced formulation based on thermal conductivity (k) and thermal diffusivity (α) yields values at 2 m depth ranging from −9,74 to 13,2 [ 𝑊 𝑚2]. Positive values indicate conditions in which the ground supplies heat to the system, supporting heating applications, whereas negative values correspond to periods when the ground acts as a thermal sink, extracting heat from the system and thereby providing cooling.
This work assesses the renewable low-enthalpy geothermal potential of the subsurface in the Biobío Region. The main objective is to build a regional baseline that supports a preliminary identification of the technical feasibility of using shallow geothermal systems for thermal applications, providing reference values of capture power while acknowledging the limitations and uncertainties inherent to a regional-scale assessment. The methodology implements two integrated calculation approaches within ArcGIS. The sHE method (vertical closed-loop borehole heat exchangers) is applied across the region, excluding a sector of the Andes associated with high volcanic activity where the approach is not applicable, while the shallow horizontal-collector method is applied to the entire region. The study relies exclusively on public-domain data and bibliographic assumptions, using 1:1.000.000 scale cartography (SERNAGEOMIN geological maps, SOTERLAC soil data, and water-balance products) and prioritizing reproducibility. Results are presented through thematic maps and descriptive statistics that compare the spatial behavior of the resource for vertical and horizontal configurations. For the sHE method, using tabulated reference values and saturation/lithology conditions, estimated specific capture power ranges from 42,3 to 90 [ 𝑊 𝑚 ], with a regional average of 59 [ 𝑊 𝑚1], suggesting a moderate and relatively homogeneous potential for closed-loop vertical installations over much of the evaluated territory. For horizontal collectors, a reduced formulation based on thermal conductivity (k) and thermal diffusivity (α) yields values at 2 m depth ranging from −9,74 to 13,2 [ 𝑊 𝑚2]. Positive values indicate conditions in which the ground supplies heat to the system, supporting heating applications, whereas negative values correspond to periods when the ground acts as a thermal sink, extracting heat from the system and thereby providing cooling.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a Civil de Minas.
Keywords
Subsuelos, Cartografía, Geología Mapas