Environmental impact of geothermal utilization in the Tianjin Binhai area, China

Abstract

In 2005, the development of the Tianjin Binhai area was brought into the strategy for national development in China. It is the third area to be developed (after Shenzhen and Shanghai). Therefore, the political and economic status of this area is very important. The Binhai area is rich in geothermal resources and they are already widely utilized, providing considerable economic and environmental benefits. By the end of 2006, there were more than 120 geothermal production and injection wells in this area, used for space heating, bathing, fish farming and other purposes. Although geothermal energy is generally perceived as environmentally friendly, development in the last 30 years has shown that it is not completely free of negative impacts on the environment. In the Tianjin Binhai area, the primary environmental problem is land subsidence. In this report, the environmental impact of geothermal utilization is discussed. The connection between geothermal development and land subsidence is particularly emphasized.