Three Major Problems with Geothermal Heating in China

Abstract

The coastal area along the edge of the Pacific Ocean in eastern China is rich in low temperature geothermal resources. There are a high number of cities in this densely populated area, resulting in the existence of a stable heating market. During 2004, the geothermal space heating area of Tianjin city alone has reached 10,000,000 m2.
Three main issues need to be solved concerning the use of geothermal space heating in China. Firstly, the development has to be sustainable. Geothermal energy is renewable only when it is not over-exploited. The exploitation of geothermal energy needs to be regulated by the local council and a reinjection plan should be put into place. Secondly, an anticorrosion geothermal heating system needs to be employed. Thirdly, a geothermal heating project needs to be financeable, profitable and competitive to the conventional heating project.
20 years of geothermal utilization in China has exposed a number of issues and, at the same time, given rise to a lot of successful experiences. Summarizing from the practical experience gained from the metropolis and cities, well exploitation and good use of geothermal energy is achievable if there is a correct guiding principle, good management, a rational exploitation program and technical approach, and a proper use of the finance and business operation. Why is it that in China a well as deep as 3000m can be used solely for space heating? The key point of this paper is to point out the features of how to finance a geothermal space-heating project in China.