Innovative technologies in the buildings for the breeding of dairy species:geothermal energyapplication and correlations with energy saving

Among the possible renewable energies, thelow enthalpy geothermal energyis quite interesting in terms of sustainable development, it actually represents a kind of alternative energy, clean, free, renewable and available everywhere.This research has the aim to verify the application ofgeothermal energyin the zootechnical structures for the breeding of the dairy cows. We analyze the application of the geothermal probes either in the process of precooling of the countercurrent milk, just before the entrance to the refrigerant tank, or inside the existing cooling system throughout the substitution of the aircooled condenser or watercooled one, with a geothermal heat exchanger. In both the case studies there was a correlation between thegeothermal exchangeandcooling performance coefficient(COP); in particular we demonstrated a marked improvement in the COP, reducing the required power to the compressor of the refrigerator of about 25 %.We proceeded to the conceptual design of a geothermal plant making a comparison, in terms of energy savings, with the current refrigeration systems, as well as with the estimated installation costs and payback.At the outset it was finally put forward the hypothesis of exploitation of the probes - outside the hours of milking – for the passive cooling of the milking room, resulting in improved animal welfare.