B4789 - GEOSCIENZE PER LA TRANSIZIONE ENERGETICA

Learning outcomes

The course is designed to provide students with transferable knowledge about the key role that the Geosciences play in the decarbonization path that modern society is required to undertake. They will learn and be able to convey the importance of their professional figure for the sustainability and safety of all activities in modern energy supply chains. The course will summarize and emphasize the importance of the Geosciences for the energy transition and progressive decarbonization: from the analysis of some of the great elemental cycles on Earth to the techniques of exploration, modeling, extraction, development, and storage, to the monitoring of energy georesources to ensure the sustainability of their use, including the mitigation of their environmental and social impacts. Exploration and planning for the sustainable use of strategic geo-resources such as critical raw materials and natural hydrogen exploration will be some of the topics dealt with along with the study of techniques for reducing global emissions through CO2 capture, utilization, and storage processes, nuclear waste storage, and underground hydrogen storage. The course will consist of lectures, practical exercises, and seminars (1 CFU) taught by geologists from companies and research institutes actively engaged in various sectors of unconventional energy supply chains.

Course contents

Module 1 Roberto Braga

Critical and strategic raw materials. Urban mining. Mining waste as a potential extraction source

Module 2 Alberto Vitale Brovarone

Molecular hydrogen (H2) as a fundamental component of the energy of the future. Geogenic and biogenic H2 production compared to industrial production. H2 management and storage issues with respect to H2 availability in different geologic contexts. Natural graphite as a fundamental raw material for the energy transition. Graphite-forming processes and graphite contribution to carbon mobilization and storage cycles. Water and carbon geological cycles and their capacity to mobilize critical elements.

Module 3 Giulio Viola

Contents and pedagogy of the course. A geoscience perspective on energy transition and decarbonisation. The Geoscience for the energy transition course and its cultural, historical, socioeconomic and scientific context. Fossil energy resources still needed for the energy transition. The contribution of Geosciences to the decarbonisation through the geologic storage of low-grade radioactive wastes. Carbon capture and storage. Analysis of Italian and foreign case studies.

Readings/Bibliography

Analysis and discussion of scientific articles provided by the instructors.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures. Seminars.

Assessment methods

The final examination is oral.

The candidate will choose a topic of his/her choice from those covered in the lecture and listed in the "Course contents" section above. The presentation will last approximately 10 minutes and will not include a digital presentation.

Following this, the candidate will have to answer two or three questions on course topics not included in the topic of his/her choice.

The duration of the examination is approximately 20 minutes.

Assessment criteria
The assessment takes into account knowledge of all the topics on the syllabus and, above all, the ability to explain what has been studied in a personal, coherent and concise manner.

For further information, please refer to the University Teaching Regulations, in particular Article 16.


People with disabilities and SLD
People with disabilities or specific learning disorders are entitled to exam adaptations in relation to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and DSA. Please do not contact lecturers but contact the Service for an appointment. The Service will determine what adjustments are appropriate. More information at the link.

Teaching tools

Classroom multimedial station.

Learning material is available on the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Braga

See the website of Alberto Vitale Brovarone

See the website of Giulio Viola