RESEARCHERS have studied the region around the Valle del Diavolo, or Devil鈥檚 Valley, in Tuscany, Italy, since the end of the 18th century, fascinated by the fissures spewing steam and volcanic gases that turn it into an area reminiscent of Dante鈥檚 Inferno. The first geothermal power plant in the world was completed in nearby , and locals today consider their underground resource to be a 鈥済ift of nature鈥�, says photographer Luigi Avantaggiato, who took these photos as part of his project .
Geothermal energy is the natural heat produced within the planet. It can escape as steam or fluid through cracks in Earth鈥檚 surface, to heat hot springs, for example 鈥� or to be exploited as a source of energy.
鈥淎ll the [inhabitants] I have met have given me back incredible positive feelings, as if that form of energy were a divine, almost sacred gift,鈥� says Avantaggiato. He believes the practices in these 鈥渟mall, autonomous energy communities鈥� are 鈥渧ery important resources for guaranteeing a sustainable and environmentally friendly future鈥�.
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The images, taken around Monterotondo Marittimo, show (above): the contrast between vegetation and white, sulphurous rocks at the Biancane nature park; the Valle del Diavolo, with the Monterotondo 1 geothermal power plant and its extraction and injection well; geochemist Rosario Avino analysing the composition of volcanic gas at Biancane; and the inside of the Monterotondo 1 power plant鈥檚 cooling tower.
