Geothermal Resources and Potential Area for High-temperature Exploration in Yunnan, China

Abstract

Yunnan is one of the most potential areas of geothermal resources in China. There are more than 800 springs with temperature ranging from 25 ℃ to 100℃ and natural heat emission up to 2.1×1016J/yr. Hydrothermal systems are mostly controlled by fracture zone or volcano-magmatic activity. The medium- to 1ow-temperature hydrothermal systems are dominant in eastern Yunnan, which is related to active faults. While high-temperature hydrothermal systems are dominant in western Yunnan, which is associated with volcanic activity. The preliminary estimation of thermal energy stored in geothermal systems with the depth above 1km was about 1,893 EJ. Tengchong is the most potential geothermal area for electricity generating. The total electrical energy of the five high-temperature hydrothermal systems was estimated up to 450MW. Although geothermal drilling has not obtained the expected high-temperature fluid, the results from geophysical and geochemical exploration suggested that high-temperature geothermal exploration in western Yunnan should be focused on Tengchong area.