| Title | 30 YEARS OF URBAN GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA |
|---|---|
| Authors | Huang Shangyao, Yang Yutong |
| Year | 2002 |
| Conference | Beijing International Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Developing Processes This paper briefly reviews the developing processes during 30 years of urban geothermal development in China. In the early 1970's, under the enthusiastic suggestion and leadership of the famous scientist, the late Prof. J. S. Lee, the geothermal exploration, research, development and utilization (mainly in Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an, Kunming, Fuzhou and other cities) were carried out. 1970's-1980's the state continued to offer great funds for developing the urban geothermal and lots of achievements were obtained. Since 1990's, with the rapid developing processes of cities, and ever growing need for geothermal resources , the geothermal markets have been broadened and great progresses of urban geothermal development in China have been achieved. Important Progresses The paper also introduces the important progresses as regards to urban geothermal development with examples of principal urban geothermal fields in China ,such as those in Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an and Kunming. As a result, not only areas of old geothermal fields has been extended, but also the new ones have been continuously uncovered. At present, the geothermal resources in the cities are widely utilized for space heating, hot water supply, medical treatment, greenhouses, aquaculture, etc. Social, economical and environmental effects are quite conspicuous. In recent years, the number of geothermal fields in Beijing has increased from a few to 10, the number of geothermal wells greatly added with a speed of 20 wells every year. Up to now, the area of buildings in Tianjin, utilizing geothermal resources for space heating amounts to 8,600,000m?. At the same time, carbon dioxide emission to the air decreased about 44,400t every year. As a result, the pollution is obviously reduced. Problems and Suggestions Finally, the paper discusses suggestions in accordance with existing problems of urban geothermal development, including how the "Green Energy Sources", namely, the geothermal resources in Beijing should be better utilized for contribution to Beijing 2008 "Green Olympics", the first-phase geological exploration should go ahead for reducing drilling risks, laying equal stress on exploitation and protection-carrying out geothermal reinjection and selecting the best forms of geothermal utilization in the light of local conditions. |