Research status and prospects of urban geothermal energy development and utilization under dual-carbon goals

Abstract

[Objective] Systematically reviewing the key issues, research status, and framework of urban geothermal energy development and utilization is crucial for promoting the transformation of urban energy structure and carbon emission reduction. [Methods] Building upon an in-depth review of the current research status of urban geothermal energy, the key issues in its development and utilization are highlighted based on the mutual feedback mechanism between urban geothermal energy and carbon emissions, and a future research framework and main directions are proposed. [Results] The main result are as follows:(1) existing research mainly focuses on geothermal fluid genesis, geothermal resource assessment, key technological breakthroughs, and development and utilization risks, while studies on geothermal energy targeting the coupling of complex urban spatial structures and human living environments remain insufficient.(2) Urban geothermal energy development and utilization face issues such as urban spatial heterogeneity and its complex structural characteristics, potential risks in geothermal well construction, lack of carbon accounting systems and incomplete assessment mechanisms, deficient management mechanisms and technological bottlenecks, and delays in the development of intelligent management platforms, all of which restrict the efficient development and utilization of geothermal resources.(3) In the future, research should follow the logical framework of “resource exploration-comprehensive evaluation-resource development-system construction-energy utilization-intelligent management”, with a focus on exploration technologies, development strategies, assessment models, utilization patterns, and monitoring and early warning. [Conclusion] In the future, the research system for geothermal energy development and utilization should be further improved. On the basis of balancing energy security and carbon reduction goals, efforts should be made to expand the applications of urban geothermal energy and enhance the efficiency of geothermal technology application, thereby increasing the contribution of urban geothermal energy development to the dual-carbon goals.

Keywords

dual-carbon goals / urban geothermal energy / current research status / mutual feedback mechanism / future prospects / smart management / energy security / influencing factors