Decarbonizing East China's energy landscape: The role of geothermal energy in the energy-water-food nexus

This paper seeks to fill this knowledge gap by examining the relationships between economic factors, flexibility modelling and geothermal innovation as a nexus in East China. Energy and water are intensively influencing the production of food, which indicates the utmost significant role of the energy-food-water nexus (EWF) in the current literature. Although de-carbonization is urgently needed due to climate change, the gap in the research regarding the development of the models that improve the EWF nexus and renewable energy production is present. With the help of an extensive evaluation framework and pioneer models, this study explores how geothermal energy can help resolve energy poverty and address the issue of de-carbonization. Moreover, the research paper explores the possibility of hydrogen produced by surplus electricity generated by geothermal energy. The economic perspective of the analysis is to assess the cost-effectiveness, investment, and financial incentives to increase renewable resources, especially geothermal energy, of the EWF nexus. The study provides a strategic implementation plan with specific milestones in 2030, 2040 and 2050, showing the longer-term advantages of combining economic roadmaps with technology to create a sustainable and low-carbon world. The study's findings indicate that harnessing geothermal energy to fulfill energy demands can eliminate energy poverty and enhance the EWF nexus in the region. Based on these results, the study recommends that policymakers in selected countries develop applicable strategies to harness the benefits of geothermal energy sources, achieving the goals of renewable energy generation and EWF nexus enhancement. • Explores the role of geothermal innovation in enhancing the Energy-Water-Food (EWF) nexus in East China. • Introduces flexibility modeling to optimize energy systems for food and water demands. • Assesses economic feasibility, investment, and incentives for geothermal energy deployment. • Provides a strategic roadmap to 2050, promoting geothermal energy to combat energy poverty and support decarbonization.