Research status and prospects of numerical simulation technology for hot dry rock geothermal development

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This paper systematically investigates the numerical simulation model construction and methods for hot dry rock geothermal resource development. It highlights the influence law and characterization differences of multi-physics field coupling mechanism across various stages of development and utilization. The technical features and applicable scenarios of typical numerical simulation methods, as well as the application potential and advantages of emerging technologies such as intelligent algorithms in numerical simulation for hot dry rock geothermal development, are comprehensively reviewed. In addition, the functional characteristics and engineering application cases of mainstream geothermal numerical simulation software in China and abroad are summarized. On this basis, the core challenges for existing techniques are identified, and future development directions are proposed. At present, numerical simulation for hot dry rock geothermal resource development still faces several challenges, including insufficient accuracy in characterizing complex reservoir structures, incomplete representation of multi-physics field coupling mechanisms, limited cross-scale simulation capability, inadequate adaptability of software to diverse scenarios, and insufficient support from field monitoring and fundamental data. In the future, numerical simulation technologies for hot dry rock geothermal resource development should advance theoretical and technical research in full-chain integrated modeling, refined characterization of multi-physics field coupling, deep integration of intelligent algorithms with numerical simulation, and establishment of an independent and controllable software ecosystem, thereby providing theoretical and technical support for the sustainable and efficient development of hot dry rock geothermal resources in China.