Current status and prospect of geothermal power generation in China

Geothermal energy is a clean, non-carbon renewable energy source with extremely high load stability in its power generation process. Considering the abundant geothermal resources in China, Geothermal Power Generation (GPG) should play a role in a new type of power system. Based on China’s geothermal resource endowment, this work first outlines the development process of domestic GPG and analyzes the challenges that slow its development from multiple perspectives such as resource conditions, technologies, and policy environment. Then, based on the technological trend at home and abroad, it is proposed that under the carbon neutrality goal, GPG industry in China should pay attention to five major development directions, i.e., medium-high temperature geothermal coupling renewable energy for generation, medium-low temperature GPG, hot dry rock power generation, GPG and residual energy cascading utilization, and geothermal energy storage. Finally, specific suggestions are proposed from both macro and operational perspectives, to promote the development of GPG industry in China.