Hot dry rock, which will become one of the most important resources in the future, can be developed and utilized using enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs). Hot dry rock resources are abundant in Gonghe basin, Qinghai province. Complex waterthermal coupling processes occur during water flow in the reservoir, and the power generation capacity of power plants is dependent on the EGS operation scheme. Based on the deep geological conditions of Qiabuqia in Gonghe basin, we established a numerical model to characterize the hydrothermal features of EGS, researched the temporal and spatial distribution of the temperature field and pressure field, and analyzed the influence of injection temperature and flow rate on heat extraction rate. The results show that the maximum heat extraction rate reached 11Mw under the base scheme (20kg/s, 60oC), and the reservoir life was 22 years. The heat extraction rate will increase by about 10% with 10oC increase of injection temperature, while the reservoir life remains the same. Increased flow rate will lead to a greater rate of heat extraction but shorter reservoir life.

enhanced geothermal systems  /  numerical simulation  /  water-thermal coupling