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Large-scale geo-energy development: Sustainability impacts

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Abstract

Geothermal energy is a renewable and alternative energy with the potential to replace fossil fuels and help mitigate global warming. However, the development of geothermal energy has environmental, economic and social-cultural consequences, which needs to be predicted beforehand and then mitigated. To guarantee a sustainable development, it is, therefore, essential to consider the relative potential impacts. From a sustainability point of view, in the present study, a comprehensive analysis of consequences of geothermal energy development is conducted, including environmental, economic and societal & cultural dimensions. The geothermal energy industry will prosper only if sustainable aspects can be integrally considered.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Geo-energy project and the Kone Foundation project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China

    Li Jiang

  2. Vaasa Energy Institute, FI-65101, Vaasa, Finland

    Li Jiang, Liandong Zhu & Erkki Hiltunen

Authors
  1. Li Jiang
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  2. Liandong Zhu
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  3. Erkki Hiltunen
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Correspondence to Li Jiang.

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Jiang, L., Zhu, L. & Hiltunen, E. Large-scale geo-energy development: Sustainability impacts. Front. Energy 13, 757–763 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-017-0455-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-017-0455-9

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