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Icelandic Ambassador advocates geothermal energy use in Japan

Icelandic Ambassador advocates geothermal energy use in Japan Japan Iceland Geothermal Energy Forum 2010, Tokyo/ Japan (source: Kristjan B. Olafsson)
Alexander Richter 18 Dec 2012

In a recent lecture at the UNU in Tokyo, Iceland's Ambassador to Japan presented findings of Japanese researchers that champion the numerous benefits of utilizing geothermal energy in Japan based on Iceland's experience in geothermal energy utilization.

In a guest lecture at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, the Icelandic ambassador to Japan spoke on the topic of geothermal energy utilization in Japan.

As part of the University’s Ambassador Lecture Series, he talked on why Japan “should harness its enourmous (and) untapped geothermal energy resources by using Iceland’s 85-year history of success in this area as a model”.

“The ambassador called geothermal energy the “backbone of the Icelandic economy”;  66 percent of Iceland’s primary energy comes from geothermal resources. In contrast, despite having the world’s third-largest potential for geothermal energy, Japan built its last geothermal energy plant in 1999, and all research funding from the government ceased in 2003.”

“Amb. Stefansson presented the findings from several Japanese researchers who champion the numerous benefits to Japan of exploiting its abundant, naturally occurring geothermal energy. Whilst snowy regions hold the highest proportion of geothermal energy resources in Japan, inhabitants there rely almost solely on kerosene oil to heat their homes. In contrast, 92 percent of houses in Iceland are heated by geothermal hot water, and heating prices are the lowest in Northern Europe (a mere ¥7,780 per household, on average, according to May 2011 estimates). If Japan were to follow suit, it could drastically cut home heating bills whilst minimizing carbon dioxide emissions and and creating economy-boosting new jobs.”

Source: United Nations University