Risk Control for Disaster at the Geothermal Field

Abstract

Many electrical power plants by Pacific Ocean side in Tohoku area were visited by 2011 March 11’s Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, however, inlying geothermal power plant continued to generate electricity. From this, people looked at geothermal power plants’ role in arguments about how national preparation against crisis should be. Geothermal power generation is potential natural resources business, however, its resources lie in the non-visible underground and furthermore the production of high temperature and flowing geothermal vapor has many risks. It is important to recognize these risks and to accumulate vast experience and knowhow. In Yanaizu Nishiyama Geothermal Power Plant, we listed 7 major risks for vapor supply business, and each point is segmentalized. We are studying the countermeasures based on occurrence frequency and severity of each risk in order to be prepared for the worst crisis.