Data-Driven Visualization of the Dynamics of Geothermal Energy and Hot Dry Rock Research

Geothermal energy and hot dry rock (HDR), as an important clean energy technology, have garnered widespread attention globally in recent years. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), a technology for extracting energy from low-permeability Hot Dry Rock (HDR) reservoirs, is crucial for the utilization of geothermal energy. Although interest in this area has significantly increased, a comprehensive and systematic analysis providing a clear understanding of the development context is still lacking. To this end, this paper presents a bibliometric analysis of 1764 relevant publications from 1996 to 2023, revealing research trends and hotspots in this field. Utilizing tools such as Bibliometrix (Version 4.2.3), CiteSpace (Version 6.2.R2), and VOSviewer (Version 1.6.19), the study analyzes publication trends, subject categories, journals, authors, institutions, and national contributions. The results indicate that EGS technology, rock mechanical behavior, and environmental impact assessment are the primary research hotspots, with China being the leading country in terms of publication volume. Future research directions include technological optimization, environmental sustainability, and the advancement of interdisciplinary collaboration. This study provides a valuable reference for further research and application in geothermal energy and HDR and offers a dynamic perspective on shifting research priorities.