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 7.0×10 11 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 0.4×10 4 km 2 /a for heating, which could be used for 1.3 × 10 4 persons if 30m 2 per person, and about 1.3×10 4 km 2 /a for heating, which could be used for 4.3×10 4 persons if 30m 2 per person. It could reduce about 2.3×10 8 tons standard coal used by human, about 6.1×10 8 tons CO 2 , 1.98×10 6 tons SO 2 and 1.73×10 6 tons N x O y discharged, which could reduce the trend of global warming.