China has started operations on its first geothermal heating project using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as a heat transfer medium in Zhengzhou. By circulating sCO2 through wells 2,500 meters deep, the system increases heat extraction efficiency by 20% compared to traditional water-based geothermal systems. The project aims to provide winter heating for 18,000 square meters of residential housing. It is expected to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 750 tonnes and replace roughly 288 tonnes of standard coal.
