Engineers from China Huaneng Group in Zhengzhou drilled a well to a depth of 2500 meters in May 2026 and injected supercritical carbon dioxide into the ground instead of water. This CO2 descends cold and returns hot, extracting heat from the rock. This project is the first closed-loop demonstration project using supercritical CO2 in China, eliminating the old limitation of geothermal energy that required the presence of natural underground hot water.
Traditional hydrothermal geothermal energy depends on naturally occurring hot water, which limits development only to volcanic and tectonically active zones. China's high-temperature resources are located in South Tibet, western Yunnan, and western Sichuan, far from demand centers. Closed-loop systems change this situation: a sealed pipe is lowered, the working fluid circulates inside, heats up from the rock, returns to the surface, transfers heat, and is lowered again without contacting groundwater. For site selection, only sufficient underground temperature is required.
CO2 is a particularly suitable working fluid. Above its critical point, which is 31.1 degrees Celsius and about 73 atmospheres, the gas-liquid interface disappears, and the substance turns into a single supercritical phase with lower viscosity, which reduces circulation resistance. Its density also decreases when heated: cold, dense CO2 sinks, and warm, light CO2 rises, creating a natural thermosiphon that requires minimal pumping equipment. In the Zhengzhou project, the use of CO2 allowed for a 10% reduction in pumping losses, an approximate 20% increase in heat extraction capacity, and a 10% reduction in energy consumption per unit of heat.
The Zhengzhou well has a coaxial structure, essentially a two-layer straw 2500 meters long, where CO2 moves down the outer ring and up the inner tube. CO2 enters at a temperature of 8 degrees Celsius and returns at 22 degrees, capturing 14 degrees of heat in one cycle. Heat exchange with the ground then raises the temperature to approximately 80 degrees, which is sufficient for centralized heating in northern China. Currently, the demonstration project provides heating for an area of over 18,000 square meters, equivalent to about 180 apartments, but the main significance lies in the proof of concept: heating is only the first stage, and electricity generation is the ultimate goal.
Geothermal energy provides a constant baseload, independent of night, cloudiness, or wind, unlike wind and solar. Economics remains a hurdle: generating electricity via closed-loop systems currently costs five to seven times more than traditional generation, and achieving parity depends on reducing drilling costs and increasing the amount of heat per well. China has begun promoting a second lever: this year, in the Central Plains valley of Henan province, the deepest geothermal intersection well in the country was completed—a U-shaped channel where two wells drilled 35 meters apart converge at a depth of 3515.5 meters, possessing five times the heat extraction capacity of the previous design. The Eavor closed-loop project in Bavaria, Germany, the first commercial installation of this type in Europe, was connected to the power grid at the end of 2025. The earth does not object to being used as a battery; the question is only when the cost of pipes will decrease.
Iran has raised serious questions regarding the Strait of Hormuz after oil spilled into the sea and onto the coast as a result of an incident. A representative of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Baghi, stated that any future system concerning Hormuz must include environmental protection.
This statement followed the oil spill into the sea and onto the shore near Keshom Island. Initial investigations indicate that the source of the leak is a foreign bulk carrier. Oil was found in three parts of the coast and in the adjacent sea. Baghi emphasized that all parties involved in shipping and trade through Hormuz bear responsibility for the state of the environment.
Oil contamination was discovered in three zones of the sea and on the coast near Keshom Island. Preliminary data links this to a foreign bulk carrier, although information about the vessel's name and nationality has not yet been disclosed. An investigation into the volume and causes of the spill is currently ongoing.
The oil spill could lead to a deterioration in water quality, which would negatively affect fish and other marine life. Furthermore, it could create problems for local residents and fishermen living near the coast.
Baghi noted that vessels from many countries pass through Hormuz, and many states benefit from this route. Therefore, if the sea and coastal areas are suffering, responsibility must be determined. He insists that environmental protection must occupy a significant place in any future agreements or arrangements concerning Hormuz. According to him, users of the maritime route must care not only about business and security but also about the environment.
Iran also raised the issue of long-term damage caused to its coastal areas due to years of operation and military actions. Iran claims that this damage is estimated in billions of dollars. Iran demands that all parties benefiting from trade through Hormuz participate in compensating the damage done to the sea and coast.
Hormuz is critically important as a huge amount of oil passes through it daily. Therefore, any major incident or oil spill causes concern not only in Iran. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), approximately 20.9 million barrels of oil passed through this route in the first half of 2025, accounting for about 20 percent of global oil consumption. Following the incident near Keshom Island, Iran clearly stated that maritime and environmental safety must not be ignored in future agreements concerning Hormuz.
Studies have been conducted in the Karadarinsk region aimed at the efficient use of groundwater used for irrigating agricultural lands by the population, as well as saving water and electricity consumption and digitizing well operations.
This activity was reported by the information service of the Ministry of Mining and Geology.
Biosecurity is often associated with protective suits, masks, and quarantine zones during major disease outbreaks. However, many crucial biosecurity measures are implemented long before they become public knowledge, and they often take place in the most ordinary settings.
From farms and veterinary clinics to animal shelters, wildlife reserves, food production systems, and households—daily decisions can determine whether a disease is stopped at its source or allowed to spread.
In a statement, the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) emphasized that the essence of biosecurity is preventing the spread of diseases caused by living pathogenic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, between animals, humans, and the environment. For veterinary and para-veterinary professionals, education is as significant as treatment.
According to Dr. Peter Verwoerd, a general practitioner veterinarian at a SAVC urban clinic, the initial obstacle to implementing biosecurity is gaining support from all stakeholders. He noted that educating all involved personnel is a prerequisite for success.
Veterinary experts help identify dangerous diseases that may affect specific animal populations. Verwoerd explained that weakened biosecurity practices negatively impact the agricultural sector, including wild and domestic animal populations. Furthermore, the danger of these zoonotic diseases can trigger an outbreak that could potentially infect people in the area.
Biosecurity is already part of daily life, even if people are unaware of it. SAVC points out that farmers disinfecting equipment before moving between pens reduce the risk of pathogen transfer from one group of animals to another.
Verwoerd added that identifying specific pathogens posing the greatest risk to a particular herd, livestock, facility, or animal population allows biosecurity measures to be adapted to the prevailing situation. He also stressed that understanding how a pathogen spreads, its life cycle, and its survival conditions helps specialists identify the most vulnerable points.
According to SAVC, the reliability of any biosecurity system depends on its weakest link. The Council explained that an infected animal introduced without proper health screening can endanger the entire herd. Moving equipment between farms without proper disinfection can transfer infectious organisms, and even contaminated soil, unknowingly carried by visitors' footwear, can introduce disease into an unaffected area.
Recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa have demonstrated how the disease can spread far beyond individual animals, affecting agricultural operations, food production, trade, and the local economy.
SAVC warned that the consequences can be devastating: farmers may lose animals and livelihoods; food production may be disrupted, potentially affecting food security and prices; export-dependent industries may face trade restrictions and significant financial losses. Moreover, communities may face movement restrictions, increased surveillance, and costly disease control measures.
These consequences underscore an important point: biosecurity is not just about following rules. It is about understanding the reasons behind these rules and recognizing the role of every individual in preventing the spread of diseases.
The Council stated that fences, disinfectants, quarantine facilities, and legislation are important elements of biosecurity. However, none of this can replace an informed person making the right decision at the right time.
SAVC noted that one of the biggest challenges in implementing effective biosecurity is winning the commitment of all involved parties. While people are expected to understand the risks of diseases and prevention measures, assumptions can create dangerous gaps. If farmers, animal owners, workers, and other stakeholders do not share a common understanding of risks and goals, even a comprehensive biosecurity plan may fail.
