Technology for Increasing Geothermal Energy Recovery

Abstract

In Japan we have 9 geothermal electric power plants whose capacities are totaly 210 and the other 7 geothermal fields are on the developing stage for electric power generation. As to field development of geothermal energy, one of the problems on geothermal energy development is that the well drilled does not produce enough steam and hot water. We have experienced several times that such unsuccessful dry wells have become sufficient production wells by the hydraulic stimulation. But we have not understood the mechanism of hydraulic stimulation and have not the adequate technologies to change dry wells to production wells. If we sake this technology clear, the cost of geothermal electric generation will be reduced by the reduction of wells necessary for a certain amount of electric power. So we have started the plan to develope the Technology for Increasing Geothermal Energy Recovery ( we call it TIGER ) by the of hydraulic fracturing technique to dry wells.