Thermal Structure of the Northern Outer Albanides and Adjacent Adriatic Crustal Sector, and Implications for Geothermal Energy Systems

Using an analyticalmethodology taking into account heat flowdensity data, frictional heating,
temperature variations due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and geological
constrains, we calculated surface heat flow, geotherms and isotherms along a balanced and restored
regional geological cross-section. Our results highlight the impact of frictional heating produced by
thrusts on the thermal structure of the study area, leading to a raising of the isotherms both in the inner
Albanides to the E and in the Adriatic sector offshore. Minimum values of Qs in the surroundings of
Tirana and the reconstructed 2D thermal structure suggest less favorable conditions for exploitation of
geothermal energy, besides the direct use (Borehole Heat Exchanger-Geothermal Heat Pump systems).
Nevertheless, the occurrence of the “Kruja geothermal zone”, partially overlapping this area and
including hot springmanifestations, emphasize the structural control in driving hot fluids to the surface
with respect to the regional thermal structure.