ROCKMECH
Rock Mechanics, Geomaterials, Slope Stability and Tunnelling

Unlocking underground energy

Energy Geostructures represent an innovative frontier in geothermal technology, transforming buildings and infrastructure into active sources of energy. This international event will explore the design and construction challenges to accelerate the adoption of these cutting-edge solutions in the market.

The workshop is organized in the framework of the annual meeting of the COST Action CA21156 “Fostering Large Scale Implementation of Energy Geostructures” (Foliage), the “Driving Urban Transitions project REuse for ENergy Exploitation and Storage of Existing Urban Tunnels in Europe” (Regenerate), and the National Research Project PRIN 2022 “Closing Knowledge Gaps on Energy Geostructures for Retrofitting Buildings and Infrastructures” (Georefit). Thanks to the research outcomes of these three projects, the workshop will provide an overview of the latest technologies and showcase successful international case studies.

World-renowned experts will present innovative solutions, while companies in the sector will share relevant examples applicable to the Italian market. The workshop is open to professionals, students, and academics. It will be held in English and will offer professional continuing education credits for engineers, geologists, and architects. A unique opportunity for professional development and networking with leading figures in the Energy Geostructures field!

The registration is free of charge. All registration procedures will be via the online registration form available at www.energygeostructures.org. You can sign up until all available spots are filled. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Maria Romana Alvi finalist at the Young Academics Award 2024

On January 21, 2025 Maria Romana Alvi attended the Finalists Workshop for the Young Academics Award 2024, held in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia.This edition of the Alpine Convention's Young Academics Award focused on “Responding to Environmental Changes and Maintaining a High Quality of Life in the Alps” and Maria's master's thesis "Thermal Performance Assessment of an Energy Lining in the Turin-Lyon Base Tunnel", with supervisors Marco Barla and Alessandra Insana, was selected as one of the noteworthy contributions for sustainable development in the Alps.The research highlighted how thermal activation in hot tunnels, such as those in the Alpine region, could harness heat from the surrounding environment. This process has the potential to generate clean energy to meet the thermal needs of local Alpine communities while also reducing the ventilation requirements of the tunnel.

A significant milestone for the Italian Demonstrator of the ARV European project

The first innovative technology in the new building under construction in the Ex-Zuffo parking lot of Trento has been installed by the Rockmech Team within the H2020 ARV project. This cutting-edge technology is based on the thermal activation of the foundation slab and walls (Geothermskin).