Shallow geothermal energy resources potential evaluation and environmental effect analysis in China

Shallow geothermal energy is one of energies which are economic and clean. The paper shows that about 7.0×10¹¹ kWh could be used for heating and cooling each year, evaluated by reservoir assessment method in 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China. According the energy conservation principle, the whole shallow geothermal energy is used for air-conditions, then the area of air-condition is about 0.4×10⁴ km²/a for heating, which could be used for 1.3 × 10⁴ persons if 30m² per person, and about 1.3×10⁴ km²/a for heating, which could be used for 4.3×10⁴ persons if 30m² per person. It could reduce about 2.3×10⁸ tons standard coal used by human, about 6.1×10⁸ tons CO₂, 1.98×10⁶ tons SO₂ and 1.73×10⁶ tons N_xO_y discharged, which could reduce the trend of global warming.