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Fibre Bragg gratings monitoring in a pilot project of an energy tunnel

Abstract:

We report on an experimental field trial of optical sensing for monitoring a geothermal energy harvesting solution installed in the tunnel lining of the Turin metro line 1 South extension, currently under construction. Fibre Bragg Grating sensors for temperature and strain are embedded into a concrete ring of the tunnel that also hosts the pipes connected to a heat pump. The readings from the optical sensors are remotely recorded and compared with measurements performed with conventional electrical sensors. The comparison shows a good agreement between the two monitoring technologies and highlights a non-negligible sensitivity to the environmental temperature. This sensitivity and any further information of strain and temperature of the energy rings will be considered for further optimization of the energy-harvesting process.