Hey energy enthusiasts! Big news from eastern China’s Yellow River Delta 🌏: researchers just drilled a record-breaking geothermal well that taps earth’s heat at jaw-dropping temps.
On Friday, January 9, the Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources revealed their new well hit a bottom-hole temperature of 162°C and wellhead water at 138°C—the hottest hydrothermal-geothermal well in eastern China to date!
Why it matters:
- Power boost ⚡: With a steady 21.6 MW of thermal power, it could generate around 25,200 kWh daily—enough to light up nearly 10,000 homes.
- Steam swap 🔄: Delivering 94,000 tonnes of industrial steam annually, it can replace 18,800 tonnes of coal and cut about 48,900 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
- Heat recycling 🔥: After power or steam use, leftover water at 80°C can heat 2 million m² of homes, and cooler 60°C water can warm smart greenhouses or aquaculture farms.
Geothermal energy is a stable, low-carbon powerhouse that’s efficient and abundant. Mainland China leads the world in direct geothermal use, and this milestone could inspire similar projects across South and Southeast Asia 🎯.
"We’ll keep exploring to expand geothermal applications in power, industry, heating, and agriculture to boost public welfare and sustainable growth," says Zhang Yunfeng from the Shandong Geo-mineral Engineering Exploration Institute.
For eco-conscious innovators and policy-makers, this breakthrough showcases how clean tech can meet energy demands and fight climate change, one hot well at a time! 🔥💧
Reference(s):
Geothermal drilling breakthrough in east China boosts green transition
cgtn.com
