Evaluation of Geothermal Resources Potential in China

China's geothermal resources are widely distributed and characterized by multiple types. They are distributed with obvious patterns and along certain geographies. Based on China's geothermal resources of different types, this paper assesses the potential of shallow geothermal resources, geothermal resources of hydrothermal type and geothermal resource of hot dry rocks type and analyzes their exploitation and utilization status as well as the economic and environmental benefit of geothermal resources. China's geothermal resources are relatively abundant with 2334 hot springs and 5818 geothermal exploitation wells. Geothermal resources of hydrothermal type are equivalent to 1.25 trillion tons standard coal. Annual exploitable amount is equivalent to 1.865 billion tons standard coal. The annual exploitable shallow geothermal resources of 336 cities above prefecture-levels are equivalent to 700 million tons of standard coal. The amount of hot dry rocks of prospective areas is equivalent to 856 trillion tons of standard coal. Currently, China's annual utilization of geothermal resources is equivalent to 21 million tons, of which only 0.2% geothermal resources of hydrothermal type and only 2.3% of shallow geothermal resources have been exploited. Therefore, geothermal resources have a tremendous exploitation and utilization potential. Thanks to the existing technology, scientific exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources can save 1 billion tons of coal annually. The efficient utilization of shallow geothermal resources in 336 cities above prefecture-levels can save 250 million tons of coal annually. The efficient utilization of underground geothermal resources can save 750 million tons of coal annually. Geothermal resources can efficiently cut emissions and save energy. They can also effectively reduce dust haze.