Development of an Advanced Geothermal Reservoir Management System for the Harmonious Utilization with Hot Spring Resources

Abstract

A three-year research project has begun in 2010 to develop an integrated geothermal reservoir operation system for adequately controlled utilization and to prove that geothermal exploitations can be performed without interference to nearby hot springs. The project consists of three parts: Geothermal system modeling and integration of a reservoir operation system, Development of monitoring techniques, and Estimation of reservoir change by numerical simulation. In the first year of the project, the Hachijo island geothermal area was chosen as a model field and various field surveys and monitoring were conducted. The final goal of the project is to construct an integrated system that enables evaluation of the effects on hot springs by a geothermal development that may contribute to promote geothermal exploitation in Japan.