Japan sees surge of small-scale geothermal power plants
Japan currently has the highest density of geothermal power plants, owed in large part to the rapid growth in small-scale geothermal power plants (250 kW or less).
A country update on the geothermal landscape of Japan was recently presented to the International Energy Agency – Geothermal Implementing Agreement (IEA Geothermal) by Kasumi Yasukawa of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). The full country update report can be accessed via this link.
Summarized below are the important points of the country update.
Increasing number of geothermal power plants in Japan
Japan currently has a large number of operational geothermal power plants. There are 19 geothermal power plants with capacities of at least 1 MW, and another 19 exploration projects.
Most of the geothermal power plants in Japan are considered small, with capacities ranging from 20 kW to 250 kW. The number of small geothermal power plants has surged starting 2010 owing to a high FiT price of JPY40/kWh compared to only JPY26/kWh for power plants with capacities of 15 MW or larger.
Japan has the highest density of geothermal power plants in the world and is second only to the U.S. in terms of the current number of operational geothermal power plants.
Recent developments
In recent months, there have been three notable geothermal power plants that have started or resumed operations:
- The 15-MW Onikobe Geothermal Power Station in Osaki City in the Miyagi Prefecture, resumed operations in April 2023 after being shut down since 2017 due to the deterioration of its aging facilities. This follows a multi-year rehabilitation and renovation work done by Electric Power Development Co. Ltd or “J-Power.”
- The Nakao Geothermal Power Plant located in Okuhida Onsengo, Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture started commercial operations in November 2022. This is a 2-MW double-flash geothermal power plant by Toshiba Energy Systems and Sea Energy.
- The Minami-Aso Yunotani Geothermal Power Plant in Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture started commercial operations in March 2023. This is a 2-MW single-flash system drawing steam from two production wells. The power plant is operated by Renova Inc.
Public communication and geothermal education
Despite the high number of geothermal power plants in Japan, many citizens do not know of the benefits of geothermal and social acceptance remains poor. To help with the promotion of geothermal, JOGMEC has registered the 8th of October as the official “Geothermal Day.” This coincides with the anniversary of the first commercial geothermal power generation in Japan in 1966.
As part of the celebration, JOGMEC holds events during the day to raise the awareness of geothermal power, in collaboration with municipalities and geothermal companies. JOGMEC has also been giving special geothermal lessons at primary schools and junior high schools, although this effort had to be paused during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the Geothermal Research Society of Japan (GRSJ) edited a book answering the common questions that citizens ask about geothermal. The book “50 Questions on Geothermal Energy” can be purchased here (in Japanese).
JOGMEC has also been holding basic and advanced geothermal courses, as well as a special JOGMEC Drilling course for drilling engineers. This is an effort to bridge the skill gap created by the stagnation of geothermal development for 20 years. GNS Science has been cooperating with JOGMEC in the conduct of advanced geothermal courses.
JOGMEC facilitates the permission of geothermal drilling and development by providing seminars for municipal officers of geothermal sites to provide them the latest insights on related laws and technology. Through an Advisory Committee for Geothermal Resources Development, municipals can ask for advice on proper geothermal resource management.
Restating the mission of JOGMEC
JOGMEC, originally the Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corporation, was established in 2004 with the mission of securing the supply of natural resources in Japan. At the time, the main mandate of JOGMEC focused on metals, oil, and natural gas. In 2012, the security of coal and geothermal was added to the agency’s agenda.
In 2022, JOGMEC was renamed to the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security with the main objective of achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050. Additional items in the mandate of the rebranded JOGMEC are offshore wind, hydrogen/ammonia, CCS, and carbon-neutralilty.
Source: IEA Geothermal via LinkedIn / JOGMEC
