The Role of “Xiongxian Model” in Facilitating Large-scale Development of Geothermal Energy

Abstract

The “Xiongxian Model”, jointly established by Sinopec Star and Xiongxian Municipal Government of Xiong’an New District, takes “government and enterprise cooperation, market-oriented operation, comprehensive development, technological advancement, environmental protection and benefits of people” as its core, and has effectively settled the issue that large-scale development of geothermal energy is restricted by multiple factors of resource, policy, development model, economic benefits, etc. With “Xiongxian Model” as a showcase, Sinopec Star actively facilitated the large-scale development of geothermal energy and established the largest geothermal heating enterprise in China, with a geothermal heating capacity of over 80 million m2, which accounts for 30% of the total middle and deep layer geothermal heating areas in China. It is capable of substituting 1.85 million tons of standard coal, reducing 3.52 million tons of carbon dioxide and offering clean heating for over 2 million residents annually, which has demonstrated significant economic, social and environmental benefits. After the establishment of Xiong’an New District in China, Sinopec Star timely upgraded “Xiongxian Model” into “Xiong’an Model” with “geothermal + clean energy integration” as the core, which has further deepened Sino-Icelandic cooperation, enhanced core technological competitiveness and led the large-scale development process of middle and deep layer geothermal energy in China.