In recent years, environmental changes worldwide are profoundly affecting the human society in all respects. Geothermal energy, as a new type of energy, is receiving more attention due to its large reserves, wide distribution, sustainable utilization and insignificant pollution. Vigorously promoting geothermal resources, especially Shallow Geothermal Energy, which accounts for the major share of heating and cooling, will improve the energy mix of the country and contribute enormously to mitigating global environmental problems.
The Key Laboratory of Shallow Geothermal Energy of the Ministry of Natural Resources ( “the Laboratory” hereinafter), formerly known as the Experimental Base of Shallow Geothermal Energy affiliated to the Beijing Geological Exploration Bureau, was established in 2009. It took its initial shape from 2014 to 2018 under the project of “Research on Sustainable Utilization of Shallow Geothermal Energy in Beijing and Demonstration Project Construction” financed by Beijing Municipal Government. In July 2021, the Laboratory was elevated as the key laboratory of the Ministry of Natural Resources, becoming the first provincial and ministerial key laboratory in the field of SGE in China. In recent years, the Laboratory has carried out numerous strategic and cutting-edge basic research on SGE applications, and promoted a series of key breakthroughs, providing scientific and technological support for the efficient, sustainable and large-scale development of SGE in China.
Environmentally friendly energy buried in the ground
Geotherm refers to the heat stored in the interior of the earth, and is a new type of clean and renewable energy source. It’s usually divided into shallow geothermal energy (SGE), hydrothermal energy and hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy.
Among them, SGE is stored in rock and soil, groundwater and surface water at a depth of 200 meters below the earth surface with a temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius. It is a clean and environmentally friendly energy that has been rapidly developing in the past 20 years.
“As a low-temperature resource, SGE can be widely used for heating and cooling of building air conditioners with the help of ground source heat pump technology.” Li Ningbo, deputy chief engineer of Beijing Geological and Mineral Exploration Institute and deputy director of the academic committee of the Laboratory, said that SGE is a stable and continuous source of energy, it’s a kind of potential energy powered by temperature difference. Its temperature is relatively stable throughout the year, higher than the ambient air temperature in winter and lower than the ambient air temperature in summer, which is a very good source of heat pump heat and cold, and also an ideal “green energy”.
China is rich in geothermal resources, and SGE has a huge market potential and broad prospects for industrial development in China. Geothermal energy is not only of great importance to energy restructuring, energy conservation and emission reduction, and environmental protection, but also to cultivating new industries, promoting new urbanization constructions, and increasing employment.
In the past decade, China has achieved rapid development in SGE, and China’s SGE currently ranks first in the world. The China Geothermal Energy Development Report (2018) shows that the annual recoverable resources of SGE in 336 major cities in China equals 700 million tons of standard coal, which can heat up or cool down 32 billion square meters of floor space. The most suitable region in China for SGE development is the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin.
“The key laboratory on SGE is based on the practical need to understand key factors limiting the large-scale development of this new energy form”, Li Ningbo said.
Li Ningbo told journalists that “locating the Laboratory in Beijing is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Beijing Municipal Government to implement Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization, help achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and accelerate the construction of an international science and technology innovation center.” The Laboratory focuses on basic applied researches, and is committed to enhancing the research, experimental simulation, testing and other functions so as to create a cutting-edge SGE platform that serves the government and society.
Research results are widely applied
“The successful elevation of the Laboratory as a key laboratory of the Ministry of Natural Resources is of great significance for enhancing SGE researches and building Beijing into a ‘Science and Technology Innovation Center’. It also attests to the collaboration between the municipal government and the ministry”. Li Ningbo told reporters that the Laboratory as a leader in China’s SGE research, has a strong innovation capacity and a good working basis. In recent years, the Beijing Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, under the auspices of multiple programs funded by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the China Geological Survey Bureau and Beijing Municipal Government, has led the development of SGE and the building of the Laboratory, laying a solid foundation for subsequent research works.
The Laboratory in recent years has created a geological system and a surveying evaluation system for SGE, conducted a research on regional calculation of SGE resources, and determined the parameters required for the evaluation of SGE resources and the testing methods, to name but a few.
The laboratory team has organized a series of researches and made significant breakthroughs on key issues such as safe and efficient exploitation of SGE, and economic and environmental safety of sustainable resource utilization. For example, for the first time, based on regional neotectonics, topography, climate, geological and hydrogeological conditions, the key factor method was used to zone SGE resources nationwide; for the first time, the hierarchical analysis method was used to zone SGE in the plain area of Beijing, and a development plan for SGE in Beijing was prepared; the first SGE efficiency experimental platform was built in China, and the impact of heat exchange via outdoor buried pipe was studied. On the efficient development and application of SGE, a ground source heat pump system evaluation system was proposed, a leading simulation experiment system was built, and a three-dimensional thermal and seepage coupling numerical simulation study was carried out. The Laboratory also developed the energy-economy-environment evaluation model and evaluation software, proposed the application model of reclaimed water heat pump system and the evaluation method of reclaimed water heat extraction distance, and explored the secondary utilization technology of sewage source heat energy, heat pipe energy storage and natural ice storage.
At a time of Internet and in light of Beijing’s effort building a smart city, the Laboratory has established a dynamic monitoring network for SGE utilization in Beijing based on the genesis mechanism and distribution characteristics of SGE. This has greatly improved the monitoring accuracy and timeliness, and made Beijing the leading city of the country in this field. By monitoring the original geothermal temperature of shallow strata, water level and water quality in the SGE utilization area, the Laboratory has empowered reasonable, safe and efficient utilization of SGE resources.
In addition, the Laboratory has, after years of research experience, compiled more than ten technical specifications, such as “Specification for SGE Survey and Evaluation”, “Technical Specification for Ground Source Heat Pump System Engineering”, “Technical Specification for Buried Pipe Ground Source Heat Pump System Engineering”, “Technical Specification for Reclaimed Water Heat Pump System Engineering” and “Requirements for Preparation of Provincial SGE Survey and Evaluation Work Plan”, establishing a standard system for SGE exploration and development in China, significantly empowering the standardization of the industry. The Laboratory has also developed the leading geotechnical thermal response tester and related software in China, and applied for more than 20 patents.
Scientific research serves the society. According to Li Ningbo, the Laboratory’s research results have been widely used in major projects such as Beijing Administrative Center, Beijing World Expo Park, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Beijing Olympic Village, Beijing UFIDA Software Park, Shanghai Expo Axis, etc., achieving good economic and social benefits and strongly promoting the development of SGE in China.
Three major research orientations
At present, the Laboratory is managed by Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources, Beijing Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and Beijing Huaqing Geothermal Development Group Co. The Laboratory will provide technical support for SGE exploration, planning and development, and utilization management.
Focusing on SGE genesis theory, resource exploration and evaluation, and exploration technology, the Laboratory has established three research directions:
First, the theory and methods of SGE geology. It includes the research of SGE genesis mechanism and exploration and evaluation system. Through the construction of SGE genesis mechanism platform and numerical simulation platform, the Laboratory will analyze the genesis mechanism and heat transfer process of SGE.
The second is the efficient transformation and application of SGE. The research directions include geotechnical analysis and heat transfer, buried pipe and groundwater heat transfer, SGE utilization evaluation method and SGE utilization system simulation and optimization design.
Third, the geological and environmental impact of SGE utilization. The key focus is the impact of SGE development on the underground environment and its monitoring technology.
In terms of talent construction, the Laboratory has formed several innovation teams, of which 68% are master and doctoral students and 53% are young researchers under 40 years old. 1 innovation team has been rated as provincial and ministerial level, there are also two leading talents above the provincial and ministerial level, and four young talents above the provincial and ministerial level.
“Next, the Laboratory will further increase the training of talents, focusing on the training of outstanding young and middle-aged talents and backup tech leaders, focusing on strengthening basic research and experimental capacity building and continuous scientific research. At the same time, we will strengthen communication and cooperation with famous research institutions at home and abroad, and absorb more high-level talents to participate in the innovation of the Laboratory.” Li Ningbo said.
