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Research Advances Related to the Origin, Detection, Evaluation, and Development of Deep Geothermal Energy

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "H2: Geothermal".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2026) | Viewed by 883

Special Issue Editors

College of Geo-Exploration Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China
Interests: geophysical exploration data inversion; geological interpretation; geothermal resources
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Guest Editor
Sinoprobe Center, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
Interests: exploration and evaluation of geothermal resources; efficient development and utilization of high-temperature geothermal resources
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Guest Editor
1. College of Geo-Exploration Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China
2. Key Laboratory of Applied Geophysics, Ministry of Natural Resources of PRC, Changchun 130026, China
3. Ministry of Land and Resources Key Laboratory of Applied Geophysics, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China
Interests: electromagnetic inversion and geological interpretation; geothermal energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Geothermal energy has become a key focus of research and development as a new energy source worldwide due to its cleanliness, operational stability, and extensive spatial distribution. To enhance the level of exploration, development, and utilization of geothermal resources, this Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research advances and demonstration applications related to the origin, detection, evaluation, and development of deep geothermal energy. Its scope includes, but is not limited to, employing methodologies such as the geodynamic analysis, deep geophysical exploration, hydrothermal circulation tracing, and numerical modeling of geothermal systems to address issues including thermal structure detection, deep-shallow and lateral coupled heat conduction mechanisms, thermal anomaly convergence processes, detailed characterization of geothermal reservoirs, and the evolutionary mechanisms of water–thermal circulation systems. 

This Special Issue will reveal the geological characteristics and configuration relationships of the key elements of geothermal systems, namely "source, pathway, reservoir, and cap"; construct 3D geological models of geothermal systems and reservoirs; simulate water–thermal recharge processes and dynamic changes in geothermal fields; and assess geothermal resource potential and sustainable development prospects. We particularly welcome contributions addressing practical challenges such as research on tectonic–thermal effects, the calculation of lithospheric thermal structures in typical tectonic units and patterns of geothermal enrichment, modeling and heat transfer simulation of multi-type geothermal systems such as basins and orogenic belts, integrated geophysical exploration and inversion methods for deep geothermal energy, dynamic assessment of geothermal resources and development potential simulation in typical reservoirs, multi-element geochemical tracing methods for geothermal systems, and innovative applications of artificial intelligence in geothermal exploration and evaluation.

Dr. Shuai Zhou
Prof. Dr. Xianchun Tang
Prof. Dr. Zhaofa Zeng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • geophysical data inversion
  • geothermal reservoir delineation and development
  • modeling and heat transfer simulation of geothermal systems
  • assessment of geothermal resources
  • geochemical tracing methods for geothermal systems
  • artificial intelligence in geothermal exploration

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 40801 KB  
Article
Frequency-Domain 3D BSEM Forward and Inverse Modeling and Application in HDR Energy Monitoring and Development in the Gonghe Basin
by Yuanyuan Ming, Zhaofa Zeng, Eryong Zhang, Qiang Wei, Zhengpu Cheng, Sheng Lian and Xianpeng Jin
Energies 2026, 19(10), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19102326 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 174
Abstract
The formation and exploitation of geothermal reservoirs in hot dry rock (HDR) primarily rely on microseismic methods, but seismic techniques lack sufficient sensitivity to fluids. The electromagnetic method, however, demonstrates sensitivity to fluid movements during the monitoring of fracturing processes that form geothermal [...] Read more.
The formation and exploitation of geothermal reservoirs in hot dry rock (HDR) primarily rely on microseismic methods, but seismic techniques lack sufficient sensitivity to fluids. The electromagnetic method, however, demonstrates sensitivity to fluid movements during the monitoring of fracturing processes that form geothermal reservoirs in HDR. This study examines the role of electromagnetic methods in HDR development, taking China’s first Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) demonstration site in the Qinghai Gonghe Basin as a case study. Based on the Gonghe HDR development site, a frequency-domain 3D borehole-to-surface electromagnetic forward modeling method with unstructured-grid discretization was employed to simulate the complex electromagnetic field responses induced by fracturing fluid injection and dynamic changes in fractures during HDR reservoir development. To enhance computational efficiency, a supercomputer was employed to perform 3D borehole-to-surface electromagnetic data inversion under conditions of massive multi-source and multi-frequency data. This quantitatively revealed the electrical characteristics at different depth intervals within the study area. The research demonstrates the feasibility of borehole-to-surface electromagnetic methods for determining the spatial distribution of fracturing injection, dynamically monitoring fracture development, and tracking fluid migration, thereby providing crucial technical support for monitoring HDR resources development. Full article
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18 pages, 2253 KB  
Article
Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Evidence for Seawater Contribution to Geothermal Waters in Mesozoic Granites of Eastern China
by Zhennan Zhong, Ning Wang, Yaqi Wang, Yanjuan Xu, Hao Li, Fengxin Kang and Shengbiao Hu
Energies 2026, 19(5), 1289; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19051289 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 358
Abstract
The geothermal system in the Jiaodong Peninsula is situated within a continent–ocean transition zone, where complex interactions among meteoric water, geothermal fluids, and seawater produce diverse hydrogeochemical and isotopic signatures, complicating geothermal resource assessment and sustainable development. To constrain recharge sources and seawater [...] Read more.
The geothermal system in the Jiaodong Peninsula is situated within a continent–ocean transition zone, where complex interactions among meteoric water, geothermal fluids, and seawater produce diverse hydrogeochemical and isotopic signatures, complicating geothermal resource assessment and sustainable development. To constrain recharge sources and seawater mixing mechanisms, geothermal water samples were systematically collected from 15 geothermal fields and analyzed using integrated hydrogeochemical methods and multi-isotope tracers (δD–δ18O, δ34S-SO42−, 87Sr/86Sr, and 3H). The results show that geothermal waters are predominantly recharged by meteoric precipitation, with δD–δ18O values distributed along the meteoric water line, while low d-excess values indicate prolonged circulation and significant water–rock interaction. Seawater mixing exhibits marked spatial heterogeneity: only 5 of the 15 fields show detectable marine influence. Chloride-based calculations suggest apparent seawater fractions of up to ~34% in BQ and <4% in DY, whereas the remaining fields show negligible mixing. Sulfur and strontium isotopes indicate contributions from external sulfate sources and continued water–rock interaction rather than simple mixing with modern seawater. Low tritium contents further imply involvement of deeply circulated paleo-seawater. The system is therefore interpreted as a fault-controlled seawater-mixing geothermal system, providing insights into coastal geothermal evolution and resource evaluation. Full article
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