Acta Petrolei Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (1): 294-310.DOI: 10.7623/syxb202601019

• GEOTHERMAL ENERGY • Previous Articles    

Distribution,development and utilization of geothermal resources in China

Qiu Nansheng1,2, Zhu Chuanqing1,2, Song Jialin1,2, Li Kefu1,2   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China;
    2. College of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum(Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
  • Received:2025-10-21 Revised:2025-12-03 Published:2026-02-12

中国地热资源分布及开发利用

邱楠生1,2, 朱传庆1,2, 宋佳霖1,2, 李科甫1,2   

  1. 1. 油气资源与工程全国重点实验室, 中国石油大学(北京) 北京 102249;
    2. 中国石油大学(北京)地球科学学院 北京 102249
  • 通讯作者: 邱楠生,男,1968年7月生,1994年获中国科学院地质研究所博士学位,现为中国石油大学(北京)教授,主要从事地热资源评价、盆地温压场及油气成藏机理研究。
  • 作者简介:邱楠生,男,1968年7月生,1994年获中国科学院地质研究所博士学位,现为中国石油大学(北京)教授,主要从事地热资源评价、盆地温压场及油气成藏机理研究。
  • 基金资助:
    国家重点研发计划项目(2021YFA0716000)资助。

Abstract: Geothermal energy is a renewable, efficient, clean, and environmentally friendly resource that is highly valued worldwide. Based on the distribution and utilization status of geothermal resources both domestically and internationally, this paper reviews the distribution patterns of domestic and foreign geothermal resources, the current development technologies and utilization as well as the proven geothermal resource potential of China’s geothermal resources, and prospects for the future development of geothermal energy in China, which provides valuable insights for the geothermal energy exploitation and utilization. Global high-temperature geothermal resources are primarily distributed along divergent and convergent plate boundaries, whereas low- to medium-temperature geothermal resources are mainly found in sedimentary basins and orogenic belts within tectonic plates. China’s geothermal resources displays distinct regional characteristics and distribution patterns, with their formation and macro-distribution controlled by geological structure, as well as the Mediterranean-Himalayan and Circum-Pacific geothermal belts. Moreover, China is rich in geothermal resources, accounting for one-sixth of the global total. While China leads the world in the direct utilization of geothermal energy, it significantly lags behind in geothermal power generation. Overall, China has significant prospects for the development and utilization of geothermal resources, driven by resource endowment, market opportunities, and policy support. However, due to existing discrepancies in the national assessment of geothermal resources and the predominant focus on development and utilization of low- to medium-temperature geothermal resources in eastern regions, it is recommended to initiate a new round of nationwide geothermal resource evaluation to qualify the national reserves. Additionally, efforts should be made to enhance the exploration of high-temperature geothermal resources in eastern China, further elucidate the genetic mechanisms of high-temperature geothermal systems, and deepen research on target area optimization and development strategies.

Key words: geothermal energy, geothermal development and utilization, high-temperature geothermal resource, low- to medium-temperature geothermal resource, geothermal power generation

摘要: 地热能是一种可再生资源,高效、清洁、环保,在世界各国都非常受重视。根据国内外地热资源的分布与利用现状,综述了世界和中国的地热分布特征、中国地热资源的利用及开发技术现状、中国相关地热资源的开发潜力并对中国地热的发展进行了展望,为地热能的开发利用提供参考。全球高温地热资源主要分布在离散板块边界和汇聚板块边界,中—低温地热资源主要分布在板块内的沉积盆地和造山带。中国地热资源的分布具有显著的地域特征和规律性,其形成与宏观分布受中国地质构造特点和地中海—喜马拉雅地热带、环太平洋地热带控制。中国地热资源丰富,占全球的1/6,地热资源的直接利用遥遥领先于世界,而地热发电则远远落后于世界。总体上,由于资源禀赋、市场前景和政策驱动,中国地热资源的开发利用前景广阔,但鉴于目前对全国地热资源量的认识不一和东部地区主要局限于中—低温地热的开发利用,建议组织开展新一轮地热资源评价以明确全国地热资源量,加强中国东部地区高温地热的勘探,进一步明确高温地热的成因机制,深化靶区优选与开发利用研究。

关键词: 地热能, 地热开发利用, 高温地热, 中—低温地热, 地热发电

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