China's geothermal energy could replace coal

[jpak]

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/848321.shtml#.UySooz9dWbs

China's geothermal energy potential roughly equals 853 billion tonnes of standard coal, and has the potential to replace coal in energy consumption, the country's energy regulator said on Thursday.

Current annual exploration of geothermal energy has reached only about three million tonnes, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).

Exploration of geothermal energy will facilitate the restructuring of energy consumption as coal consumption amounts to about 66 percent of China's total energy consumption.

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[Control-Z]

1. What exactly is

geothermal energy?

Thanks!

[NickB79]

2. They'll have to do something soon

Coal already uses up half of their industrial water supply alone. It now appears that water, not coal supply, will be the limiting factor in their future energy mix.