The above-ground strategies to approach the goal of geothermal power generation in China: State of art and future researches

Abstract Geothermal power generation (GPG) is a technology that need to be promptly developed due to the high capacity factor and the low environmental impacts. In the year of 2020, as the pivotal juncture of China's 13th Five-Year Plan, it is necessary to summarize the GPG history of China in the past 60 years and comprehend its technological status to secure a promising future of the GPG in China. In this regard, this paper aims to reveal the challenges, opportunities and outlooks of GPG technologies in China from the perspective of the above-ground strategies. The possibility of realizing the planned GPG goal in 2020 in China was firstly discussed. In addition, a technical analysis was done to obtain the main technical obstacles, including the poor energy endowment of the geothermal resources and the immature technology of GPG systems. It is evident that the poor matching between the geothermal fluid and the adopted thermal power cycle hinders the development of GPG, especially for the technologies using the organic Rankine cycle(ORC). Nevertheless, there are many opportunities for improving the level of GPG in China, which may be based on transforming abandoned oil wells into geothermal wells, exploiting dry hot rocks, or developing multi-energy complementary systems. Except for the above, by interpreting the experimental research and the energic, economic and environmental optimization of ORC-GPG systems worldwide, crucial recommendations are provided for the promotion of the GPG technologies in China. These include the performance decoupling based on thermodynamic process, multi-objective optimization based on Pareto's non-inferior solution, comprehensive utilization based on cascading principle, environmental impact assessment based on life cycle assessment, as well as experimental studies on Flash-ORC.

[1]  Jun Zhao,et al.  Multi-objective optimization and grey relational analysis on configurations of organic Rankine cycle , 2017 .

[2]  P. Kaparaju,et al.  Method for the technical, financial, economic and environmental pre-feasibility study of geothermal power plants by RETScreen – Ecuador’s case study , 2018, MethodsX.

[3]  Derek M. Hall,et al.  Pairing Integrated Gasification and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in Semiarid Environments , 2012 .

[4]  Y. Noorollahi,et al.  Review of two decade geothermal energy development in Iran, benefits, challenges, and future policy , 2019, Geothermics.

[5]  Fateme Ahmadi Boyaghchi,et al.  Thermoeconomic assessment and multi objective optimization of a solar micro CCHP based on Organic Rankine Cycle for domestic application , 2015 .

[6]  V. Zare,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis and multi-objective optimization of a novel combined flash-binary cycle for Sabalan geothermal power plant in Iran , 2017 .

[7]  L. Zhuang,et al.  Investigation on fracture creation in hot dry rock geothermal formations of China during hydraulic fracturing , 2020 .

[8]  A Q Huang,et al.  The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) System: The Energy Internet , 2011, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[9]  Liu Kewen,et al.  A 500 W low-temperature thermoelectric generator: Design and experimental study , 2014 .

[10]  Kewen Li,et al.  Comparison of geothermal with solar and wind power generation systems , 2015 .

[11]  Shuai Deng,et al.  How to approach Carnot cycle via zeotropic working fluid: Research methodology and case study , 2018 .

[12]  Dieter Brüggemann,et al.  Life cycle assessment of Organic Rankine Cycles for geothermal power generation considering low-GWP working fluids , 2016 .

[13]  Jianyong Wang,et al.  Performance investigation of a new geothermal combined cooling, heating and power system , 2020 .

[14]  Ji Han,et al.  Geothermal power in China: Development and performance evaluation , 2019 .

[15]  R. Bertani.  Geothermal power generation in the world 2010–2014 update report , 2016 .

[16]  M. Zeng,et al.  Geothermal energy in China: Status, challenges, and policy recommendations , 2020 .

[17]  Ying Chen,et al.  Grey relational analysis of an integrated cascade utilization system of geothermal water , 2016 .

[18]  Muhammad Aziz,et al.  Use of the Kalina cycle as a bottoming cycle in a geothermal power plant: Case study of the Wayang Windu geothermal power plant , 2018 .

[19]  D. V. Duchane,et al.  Geothermal energy from hot dry rock: A renew able energy technology moving towards practical implementation , 1996 .

[20]  Ryuichi Itoi,et al.  Performance improvement of a single-flash geothermal power plant in Dieng, Indonesia, upon conversion to a double-flash system using thermodynamic analysis , 2015 .

[21]  Brian Elmegaard,et al.  Multi-objective optimization of organic Rankine cycles for waste heat recovery: Application in an offshore platform , 2013 .

[22]  Hongxing Yang,et al.  Review on life cycle assessment of energy payback and greenhouse gas emission of solar photovoltaic systems , 2013 .

[23]  Fabio Rinaldi,et al.  4E analysis and multi-objective optimization of an integrated MCFC (molten carbonate fuel cell) and ORC (organic Rankine cycle) system , 2015 .

[24]  S. Deng,et al.  How to rapidly predict the performance of ORC: Optimal empirical correlation based on cycle separation , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[25]  Yang Shi,et al.  Comparison between regenerative organic Rankine cycle (RORC) and basic organic Rankine cycle (BORC) based on thermoeconomic multi-objective optimization considering exergy efficiency and levelized energy cost (LEC) , 2015 .

[26]  Jiangfeng Wang,et al.  Comprehensive analysis and parametric optimization of a CCP (combined cooling and power) system driven by geothermal source , 2016 .

[27]  H. Spliethoff,et al.  Combined heat and power from hydrothermal geothermal resources in Germany: An assessment of the potential , 2020 .

[28]  Jialing Zhu,et al.  Cascade utilization of low temperature geothermal water in oilfield combined power generation, gathering heat tracing and oil recovery , 2012 .

[29]  Chao Luo,et al.  Thermodynamic comparison of different types of geothermal power plant systems and case studies in China , 2012 .

[30]  Maoqing Li,et al.  Multi-objective optimization design of condenser in an organic Rankine cycle for low grade waste heat recovery using evolutionary algorithm☆ , 2013 .

[31]  Ehsan Amiri Rad,et al.  Simultaneous optimization of working fluid and boiler pressure in an organic Rankine cycle for different heat source temperatures , 2020 .

[32]  Chao Feng,et al.  An overview of “Energy + Internet” in China , 2020 .

[33]  A. Baccioli,et al.  WITHDRAWN: Techno-economic analysis of combined inverted Brayton - Organic Rankine cycle for high-temperature waste heat recovery , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management: X.

[35]  Kai Wang,et al.  A comprehensive review of geothermal energy extraction and utilization in oilfields , 2018, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering.

[36]  C. Clauser,et al.  The renewables cost challenge: Levelized cost of geothermal electric energy compared to other sources of primary energy - Review and case study , 2018 .

[37]  Jianchao Hou,et al.  Development and utilization of geothermal energy in China: Current practices and future strategies , 2018, Renewable Energy.

[38]  Ernst Huenges,et al.  Great Expectations for Geothermal to 2100 - Messages for Now , 2011 .

[39]  Tao Guo,et al.  Comparative analysis of CO2-based transcritical Rankine cycle and HFC245fa-based subcritical organic Rankine cycle using low-temperature geothermal source , 2010 .

[40]  Yangsheng Zhao,et al.  Forecast and evaluation of hot dry rock geothermal resource in China , 2005 .

[41]  A. Olabi,et al.  Geothermal based hybrid energy systems, toward eco-friendly energy approaches , 2020, Renewable Energy.

[42]  Patrick Linke,et al.  Novel and conventional working fluid mixtures for solar Rankine cycles: Performance assessment and multi-criteria selection , 2015 .

[43]  Ahmad Muhsin Ithnin,et al.  Geo-Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (GeOTEC) power cycle/plant , 2017 .

[44]  Chi-Chuan Wang,et al.  Effect of working fluids on organic Rankine cycle for waste heat recovery , 2004 .

[45]  Tanveer Ahmad,et al.  A review on renewable energy and electricity requirement forecasting models for smart grid and buildings , 2020 .

[46]  I. Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of a novel solar and geothermal based combined energy system for hydrogen production , 2020 .

[47]  Lan Xiao,et al.  Multi-objective optimization of evaporation and condensation temperatures for subcritical organic Rankine cycle , 2015 .

[48]  Min Li,et al.  Analytical thermal efficiency of medium-low temperature organic Rankine cycles derived from entropy-generation analysis , 2016 .

[49]  Yang Shi,et al.  Sensitivity analysis and thermoeconomic comparison of ORCs (organic Rankine cycles) for low temperature waste heat recovery , 2015 .

[50]  Olaf Kolditz,et al.  Recent studies on hydrothermal systems in China: a review , 2014, Geothermal Energy.

[51]  Yongqiang Han,et al.  Experimental study and energy loss analysis of an R245fa organic Rankine cycle prototype system with a radial piston expander , 2020 .

[52]  Kai Wang,et al.  Downhole thermoelectric generation in unconventional horizontal wells , 2019, Fuel.

[53]  Y. Noorollahi,et al.  Solar-assisted geothermal power generation hybrid system from abandoned oil/gas wells , 2017 .

[54]  Marc A. Rosen,et al.  Exergoeconomic comparison of TLC (trilateral Rankine cycle), ORC (organic Rankine cycle) and Kalina cycle using a low grade heat source , 2015 .

[55]  G. Zimmermann,et al.  Hot water generation for oil sands processing from enhanced geothermal systems: Process simulation for different hydraulic fracturing scenarios , 2014 .

[56]  Yiping Dai,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of a flash-binary geothermal power generation system , 2015 .

[57]  Bourhan Tashtoush,et al.  Parametric study of a Novel Hybrid Solar Variable Geometry Ejector cooling with Organic Rankine Cycles , 2019, Energy Conversion and Management.

[58]  Mehmet Melikoglu,et al.  Geothermal energy in Turkey and around the World: A review of the literature and an analysis based on Turkey's Vision 2023 energy targets , 2017 .

[59]  Xu Rong.  Experimental Study on the Performance of the Organic Rankine Cycles With and Without Internal Heat Regeneration , 2013 .

[60]  Molly Finster,et al.  Geothermal produced fluids: Characteristics, treatment technologies, and management options , 2015 .

[61]  Jialing Zhu,et al.  A review of geothermal energy resources, development, and applications in China: Current status and prospects , 2015 .

[62]  A. S. Nafey,et al.  Thermo-economic analysis of a combined solar organic Rankine cycle-reverse osmosis desalination process with different energy recovery configurations , 2010 .

[63]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Performance analysis of a novel integrated geothermal-based system for multi-generation applications , 2012 .

[64]  Q. Hu,et al.  Development of Geothermal Resources in China: A Review , 2018, Journal of Earth Science.

[65]  Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez,et al.  Multi-objective design of reverse osmosis plants integrated with solar Rankine cycles and thermal energy storage , 2013 .

[66]  Wei Wang,et al.  Intelligent collaborative attainment of structure configuration and fluid selection for the Organic Rankine cycle , 2020 .

[67]  Jaehoon Kim,et al.  Thermal stability and decomposition behavior of HFO-1234ze(E) as a working fluid in the supercritical organic Rankine cycle , 2019 .

[68]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Thermoeconomic multi-objective optimization of a novel biomass-based integrated energy system , 2014 .

[69]  Qian Wang,et al.  Modelling, simulation and comparison of phase change material storage based direct and indirect solar organic Rankine cycle systems , 2020, Applied Thermal Engineering.

[70]  Yan Wang,et al.  Direct utilization status and power generation potential of low-medium temperature hydrothermal geothermal resources in Tianjin, China: A review , 2016 .

[71]  Yufeng Zhang,et al.  Investigation of Support Vector Machine and Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network for performance prediction of the organic Rankine cycle system , 2018 .

[72]  Xiaoqing Zhang,et al.  Working fluid selection for an Organic Rankine Cycle utilizing high and low temperature energy of an LNG engine , 2015 .

[73]  Efstathios E. Michaelides,et al.  Geothermal power production from abandoned oil wells , 2009 .

[74]  Hassan Hajabdollahi,et al.  Thermo-economic environmental optimization of Organic Rankine Cycle for diesel waste heat recovery , 2013 .

[75]  Inkyu Lee,et al.  Systems analysis, design, and optimization of geothermal energy systems for power production and polygeneration: State-of-the-art and future challenges , 2019, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

[76]  Syed Athar Masood,et al.  Review of geothermal energy development efforts in Pakistan and way forward , 2017 .

[77]  Kewen Li,et al.  Review on hybrid geothermal and solar power systems , 2020 .

[78]  Ronald DiPippo,et al.  Geothermal power plants: Evolution and performance assessments , 2015 .

[79]  Li Zhao,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of organic Rankine cycle using zeotropic mixtures , 2014 .

[80]  Xu Tianfu.  Technology Progress in an Enhanced Geothermal System (Hot Dry Rock) , 2012 .

[81]  Lei Zhang,et al.  Geothermal power generation in China: Status and prospects , 2019, Energy Science & Engineering.

[82]  Steven Lecompte,et al.  Thermo-economic comparison of advanced organic rankine cycles , 2014 .

[83]  Pan Li.  Experimental Investigation on Performance of Organic Rankine Cycle Power System Driven by Low-Temperature Heat Sources , 2013 .

[84]  A. H. Mosaffa,et al.  Thermo-economic analysis of combined different ORCs geothermal power plants and LNG cold energy , 2017 .

[85]  I. Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis and assessment of a novel integrated geothermal energy-based system for hydrogen production and storage , 2017 .

[86]  Halldór Pálsson,et al.  Life cycle inventory of a flash geothermal combined heat and power plant located in Iceland , 2015, The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

[88]  Ming-Jia Li,et al.  A graphical criterion for working fluid selection and thermodynamic system comparison in waste heat recovery , 2015 .

[89]  A. Ramazanov,et al.  Technologies for the exploration of highly mineralized geothermal resources , 2017 .

[90]  T. Hung.  Waste heat recovery of organic Rankine cycle using dry fluids , 2001 .

[91]  Pan Den.  Experimental Research on the Performance of Scroll Expander Used in Organic Rankine Cycle , 2014 .

[92]  Kyung Chun Kim,et al.  Working fluids selection and parametric optimization of an Organic Rankine Cycle coupled Vapor Compression Cycle (ORC-VCC) for air conditioning using low grade heat , 2016 .

[93]  Francesco Calise,et al.  Energy and economic analysis of geothermal–solar trigeneration systems: A case study for a hotel building in Ischia , 2015 .

[94]  Lei Zhang,et al.  Comparative study of combined organic Rankine cycle and vapor compression cycle for refrigeration: Single fluid or dual fluid? , 2020 .

[95]  Dariusz Mikielewicz,et al.  A thermodynamic criterion for selection of working fluid for subcritical and supercritical domestic micro CHP , 2010 .

[96]  Yabo Zhang,et al.  An overview of world geothermal power generation and a case study on China—The resource and market perspective , 2019, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

[97]  Joeri Van Mierlo,et al.  Environmental impacts of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles—what can we learn from life cycle assessment? , 2014, The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.

[98]  J. Leaver,et al.  The role of geothermal resources in sustainable power system planning in Iceland , 2020 .

[99]  Thomas Kohl,et al.  Coupled hydraulic, thermal and mechanical considerations for the simulation of hot dry rock reservoirs , 1995 .

[100]  Gequn Shu,et al.  Experimental investigations on a cascaded steam-/organic-Rankine-cycle (RC/ORC) system for waste heat recovery (WHR) from diesel engine , 2016 .

[101]  Muhammad Aziz,et al.  Dry steam cycle application for excess steam utilization: Kamojang geothermal power plant case study , 2018 .