Geothermal Power Generation and Direct Use in Japan

Abstract

This report describes the update data of geothermal power generation and direct use in Japan. Japan is one of the world's most tectonically active countries, with nearly 200 volcanoes and the blessing of tremendous geothermal energy resources. In 2003, twenty geothermal power plants were in operation at 18 locations nationwide. Most are located in the Tohoku and Kyushu districts. Total net output from all geothermal power plants reached 535.25 MWe in FY 2000, making Japan the sixth largest producer of geothermal electricity worldwide.
The total installed geothermal power capacity is 0.2% of total power generation facilities in Japan in March 2003. The electricity produced by geothermal energy was 3,467.3 GWh in FY 2002 (April 2002 - March 2003), which was 0.3% of the annual electricity produced during the corresponding period in Japan.
In these years, there haven't been large developments of geothermal power plants in Japan. However, a 2MWe power unit was established at the Hatchobaru geothermal power station in February 2004.
The installed capacity of direct use facilities is approximately 413 MWt and the annual energy use is approximately 5,161 TJ (in FY 2002). The average utilization factor of the facilitates calculated from these figures is about 40%. Compared to the report at the WGC2000, the capacity of direct use facilities has increased mainly in snow melting facilities, but the annual energy utilization has not changed significantly.