Analysis of the Possibility of Recognizing the Deep Geological Structure of the Krakow Region for Advanced Geothermal Systems (Ags) Implementation

Geothermal energy in Poland is currently used primarily for heating purposes, with an increasing emphasis on recreational and therapeutic applications. These trends are particularly evident in the southern part of the country, in the Małopolska Voivodeship. Geothermal waters occurring in the porous-fissure aquifer of the Podhale Basin are characterized by high flow rates, temperatures close do 90oC  and low mineralization.
Advanced Geothermal Systems (AGS) may prove a significant opportunity for utilizing geothermal resources in the coming years. These systems utilize closed-loop heat systems, in which the medium circulates in a closed system, transferring energy stored in the deep, hot layers of the earth crust to the surface. The implementation of AGS requires reservoirs with temperatures exceeding 100 °C, high thermal conductivity, and very low natural permeability. This creates an opportunity for the deployment of such systems in areas with high energy demand, especially for district heating applications, where natural hydrogeothermal resources with suitable temperature and flow characteristics are absent. A potential recipient in the Małopolska Voivodeship is Kraków, second largest city in Poland with population around 800,000, whose area is geologically poorly explored due to its dense development and lack of hydrocarbon deposits. Consequently, no detailed seismic surveys have been conducted in this region. As a result, significant uncertainties exist regarding the thickness of the overlying sedimentary sequences, the depth of the crystalline basement, its petrophysical properties, and the structural configuration of fault zones. To determine the feasibility of implementing an AGS system, an attempt was made to analyze the possibilities of geological exploration for the Kraków region by designing geophysical surveys along seismic profiles, which would enable the identification of deep geological structures.