Performance study of an integrated system of power generation and waste heat utilization for hot dry rock in Xinghua area

China has abundant hot dry rock (HDR) resources, but research on its practical application started relatively late, and there are few experiences in its power generation and cascade utilization for reference. To promote the efficient utilization of HDR resources in the Xinghua area, a system that integrates ORC power generation and waste heat utilization scheme is proposed, and the impacts of key operating parameters on system performance are explored. Results show that based on a single ORC scheme, the power generation utilization of HDR resources in the Xinghua area can be achieved, and the system’s thermoelectric conversion efficiency (TCE) reaches about 10% without considering the energy consumption of geothermal fluid extraction and the cooling system circulation. However, the high recharge temperature of geothermal fluid after power generation will result in heat waste. After a three-stage cascade utilization for the geothermal fluid after power generation, its recharge temperature can be significantly reduced from over 70℃ to about 30℃, and the thermal utilization efficiency of the extracted geothermal fluid is also improved, thereby enhancing the overall economic efficiency of the system. This work explored the potential power generation and cascade utilization scheme of HDR resources in the Xinghua area, which can provide useful guidance for its practical and efficient utilization in this region.