Abstract
This paper focuses on a dataset reflecting the potential for the development of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in continental China. Depth–temperature profiles, derived from surface heat flow, thermophysical parameters, the thickness of sedimentary layers, and ground surface temperatures, are the basis of EGS resource assessment. According to up-to-date 1230 pieces of heat flow data, we updated the heat flow measurements and depth–temperature distribution maps in continental China. Subsequently, the EGS resources were estimated using volume method with respect to various depth slices, temperature grades, and provinces, respectively. Results indicate that the total heat content within the depth of 3–10 km is 22.9 × 106 EJ (1 EJ = 1018 J), of which recoverable part is equivalent to 1.56 × 104 billion tons coal equivalent by the conservative recovery factor (2%). Under the assumption of 30-year-long production life, 10 °C reduction from the original rock temperature, and 2% as the recoverable factor, the production of electric power in continental China is estimated to be 4.56 × 106 MWe. On the basis of the calculation, we delineated four favorable targets for EGS resources exploration, including South and Northeast Tibet, West Yunnan (Tengchong), the southeast coast of China (Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong), and Northeast China (Songliao Basin and Changbai Mountain).
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by Sinopec Star Petroleum Ltd (No. ZC06070007) and Sinopec Northeast Oilfield Company (No. ZC0607-0044). We thank Professor Li Kewen, Wang Chengshan, and Dr. Jefferson W. Tester for their great support in the resource calculation.
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This article is part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Subsurface Energy storage,” guest edited by Sebastian Bauer, Andreas Dahmke, and Olaf Kolditz.
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Jiang, G., Li, W., Rao, S. et al. Heat flow, depth–temperature, and assessment of the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) resource base of continental China. Environ Earth Sci 75, 1432 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6238-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-6238-5