Geothermal Energy: Japan Can Do Better


Geothermal energy is all about harnessing heat from deep below. Japan ranks 6th after the US, Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico and Italy in terms of global geothermal electricity capacity. Producing some 535.2 MW today, I think Japan can do a lot better. Source: GHC Bulletin (pdf).

Earlier this year, Nikkei, the business daily reported that Mitsubishi Materials Corp, J-Power, Nittetsu Mining Co Ltd and Kyushu Electric Power Co will build new geothermal powerplants, starting in 2009, with government support. Japan has 18 major geothermal power stations in operation, but their aggregate output accounts for only around 0.2-0.3 percent of electricity generated here, according to Reuters.

Yanaizu Town in Fukushima Prefecture is a town that made the news when Chiba University professor Hidefumi Kurasaka announced his list of Japan's most self-sufficient places.

Yanaizu tops the list at a fantastic 3290%, due to its geothermal applications. According to Kurasaka-sensei, a zone where all energy requirements can be met by renewable, natural energy created within that zone can be called self-sufficient if the supply rate is more than 100%.

Cool.

Image: Irasshaimase! Poster welcoming visitors to Hachoubaru Geothermal Center, from biki8

Treehugger: The First 3290% Energy Self-Sufficient Town In Japan



Map of geothermal power plants in Japan from GRSJ (English page) about geothermal energy.

Comments

Tom O said…
I knew Japan was going to get into hot water over this. Hope it doesn't affect their self e-steam too much either (ouch! ;o) ). It does amaze one though, Japan being what it is, so to speak. One comes across some amazing onsen-sento set ups on travels. All the paraphenalia to trap the heat/water soto-ni and transfer it. And then one just pays the sento rate. Is the issue that harnessing geothermal elements in Japan involves the unpredictable factor (see also under nuclear power stations in Japan..)?
4:12 am, September 17, 2009
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