Recent Geothermal Activity in Japan

Abstract

The recent tentative assessment of the Geological Survey of Japan indicates a production potential for electricity from high-temperature hydrothermal convection systems of more than 20,000 MWe for 30 years. However, by 1986, the total installed capacity of the operating geothermal power plants is only 214.6 MWe. In this paper, together with the presentation of the Japanese activity of exploration and development of geothermal energy, brief review of nation's research effort is made with the special reference to the following geoscientific study. - study on the nationwide resource assessment - in-depth study on the prominent geothermal field looking for deeply seated resource