China Is Faced with Rare Opportunities in Geothermal Exploitation
On August 30, Lectures on Geological Survey by International Experts opened in the Bureau of China Geological Survey (CGS). Huang Shaopeng, vice-president of International Geothermal Association (IGA) and from University of Michigan (Umich), gave two wonderful lectures on “the latest progress of worldwide geothermal resources exploration and exploitation”and “opportunities and challenges of geothermal resourcesexploitation in China” to over 100 researchers from CGS, Beijing Geothermal ResearchInstitute and China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and etc.
Based on the latest international authoritative data, Huang Shaopeng introduced global geothermal exploitation’s current status and prospects,highlighting the geothermal power generation. He said, the history of global geothermal power generation was more than a centenary and currently there were more than 24 countries engaged in geothermal power generation, amongst which the US had the highest installed capacity, the most advanced geothermal exploring and exploiting techniques and methods and a high density of geothermal data system shared by the whole society. China has started the geothermal power generation since 1970, ranking 8th, while its installed capacity only ranks 18th and its ranking could retreat under the situation which many African countries are building large-scale geothermal power plants.
Geothermal energy is clean with broad prospect. National “Renewable Energy Twelfth Five Year Plan” puts forwards clearly that our geothermal power generation capacity has to reach 100,000 kilowatts in 2015 with the current capacity of less than 2.5 kilowatts.Huang Shaopeng stated four key points in regard to China’s geothermalexploiting opportunities and challenges. Firstly, Find out the real situation and planscientifically. On the basis of major national earth science projects and industry strategic development goals, the terrestrial heat flow testand analysis of the thermal structure of the crustshould be carried out. A national database should be established tosharedata and provide support for the scientific planning. Secondly, exploit geothermal in both east and west,considering both hot and dry. High-temperature hot springs exist in the west and strong quaternary volcanic activities appear in the east, which mayprovide more conditions on hot dry rock formation, so that hotdryrock technologies should be developed. Thirdly, attach importance to both mountain and basin to set up demonstration projects. Geothermal exploitation demonstration projects should be set up in both oil basins and volcanic zones so that the government and investors see the benefits. Fourthly, cooperate both at home and abroad to achieve leapfrog development. As long as breaking industry boundaries, sharing data and technologies and introducing advanced technology from abroad at the same time, China is able to go higher and farther in geothermal exploitation and utilization.