Top Best Geothermal Power Plants in Japan for 2023

The list of all Japanese power plants is discussed in this article. With a large and diverse energy infrastructure, Japan is a significant player in the global energy market, accounting for roughly 40% of world commerce in liquefied natural gas and 25% of oil imports in 2019. According to estimates, the country’s installed capacity of 211.7 million kilowatts in 2019 makes up 11.9% of the global total. The specifics of each of these power plants are covered in this page, including their net capacity in Japan and the types of energy they use. It will also describe their ownership, administration, and geographical considerations as well as how these power plants have influenced Japan’s energy sector. The location of the power plants is also shown on a helpful map.

All of Japan’s geothermal power plants are listed below.

List of all Geothermal Power Plants in Japan in table format

For the benefit of our readers, we have compiled a list of geothermal power plants in Japan in the following table:

Wiki-Solar, GEODB, Industry About, WRI, GCPT are some information sources.

Best Geothermal Power Plants in Japan in 2023

Below is information about the top geothermal power plants in Japan:

Powerplant Hachijojima Reviews

Japanese island Hachijojima is part of the Izu Chain, which is primarily a tropical area. Hachijojima, a 3.3 MW geothermal power station, has been located on the tiny Island since 2017. The plant has been operational since early 2017 and is situated at 33.1117 N latitude and 139.778 E longitude. Hachijojima is able to generate an estimated average yearly generation of 29.7 thousand kilowatt hours using the localized geothermal heat from underneath the surface of the island.

To further increase its operating effectiveness and environmental friendliness, the geothermal plant at Hachijojima has the potential to be converted to alternative energy sources, such as heat pumps or waste water. Currently, the power plant has cut the area’s CO2 emissions by at least 3.35 tons annually.

Powerplant Hatchobaru Otake Reviews

Geothermal power facility Hatchobaru Otake is situated in Japan at 33.1053 North and 131.1874 East. This power plant began operating in 2016 and has a 110 megawatt installed capacity. The fifth-largest geothermal power station in Japan, Hatchobaru Otake, with an estimated annual power generation capacity of 522GWh.

The Otake geothermal field in the Kyushu region provided the geothermal energy used in this power facility. Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. runs it. It makes use of the Ormat Energy Converter (OEC) technology to produce power using geothermal energy from springs. Hatchobaru Otake is the first power plant in Japan to use the technology, which allows for the efficient usage of geothermal energy.

Powerplant Kakkonda Reviews

Japan-based Kakkonda is a power facility. It is geothermal-powered and has an established capacity of 80 MW. At coordinates 39.8291 latitude and 140.8649 longitude, this power plant may be found. The facility began producing electricity in 2020 and is expected to produce up to 80 MW yearly.

Another illustration of how committed the Japanese are to utilizing new energy sources is the Kakkonda power station. The plant can efficiently and safely supply electricity to the local community as well as the surrounding area using geothermal energy as its primary fuel. The plant is also anticipated to significantly contribute to Japan’s efforts to combat climate change.

The plant is outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies, such as various energy storage devices and cutting-edge monitoring tools. The plant’s operation will be run as efficiently as possible thanks to this cutting-edge technology, which will also help to avoid any potential issues. The plant will also aid in lowering the nation’s reliance on imports of fuel, enhancing environmental sustainability and energy security.

Powerplant Matsukawa Geothermal Reviews

A 23.5 megawatt (MW) power facility called Matsukawa Geothermal can be found close to Matsukawa, Japan. Its coordinates are 39.9271 latitude and 140.9333 longitude. Since its beginning in 1992, this power station has operated primarily using geothermal energy. It has been emitting 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually while producing an average of 82259 MWh of renewable energy.

Compared to oil and coal-based electricity generation, this plant has significantly reduced costs and emissions in Japan. Additionally, it has gained ENVITS Certification from the Japanese government and is the first geothermal power plant in Japan to be certified as a renewable energy system in accordance with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.

Powerplant Mori Reviews

The 50 MW Mori geothermal power station is situated in latitude 42.1331 and longitude 140.4553 in southern Japan. With the intention of generating renewable energy while also supplying the country with electricity, this powerplant began operations in 2017. The facility makes use of Mori’s natural hot springs to produce steam, which powers steam turbines to produce electricity. The plant is intended to generate 200GWh annually, on average.

By giving the area a dependable source of electricity and lowering Japan’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, the Mori power plant has thus far succeeded in its objectives. In addition, this geothermal project aids Japan in its efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. The plant is also acknowledged with making a significant economic impact and assisting in lowering local greenhouse gas emissions.

Powerplant Ogiri Reviews

A geothermal power plant called Ogiri in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, started producing electricity in the year 35. The facility is situated at 31.9318 N and 130.7977 E and has a 35 MW capacity. It is situated on the Shikano Caldera, where the well-known Sakurajima volcano serves as the primary thermal source.

The Ogiri power plant provides electricity to a sizable region that includes the southernmost region of Kyushu. The power plant’s own geothermal water reservoirs serve as the main fuel source. The steam turbine generator system relies on geothermal water from reservoirs to produce electricity. Additionally, the Ogiri facility’s functioning assists the region in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

With its potentially extensive network throughout the region, Ogiri’s estimation of the power generated by using the natural heat taken from the ground, which amounts to around 34.68 GWh yearly, makes it a priceless asset for the provision of electricity. Ogiri is a fantastic addition to the list of renewable energy sources for the area because this sort of power generating doesn’t produce carbon dioxide emissions.

Powerplant Onikobe Reviews

Onikobe, Japan, is home to the Onikobe Geothermal Power Plant. The power plant is expected to generate 15 MW of energy. Geothermal energy is its main fuel source. The location of this building is 38.8098 latitude and 140.7086 longitude. It started running in 2018.

One of the three geothermal power facilities in a volcanically active area of Fukushima, Japan, is reportedly the Onikobe Geothermal Power Plant. The power station generates electricity using the local geothermal energy. Its average power output is predicted to be 15 MW, and its maximum output will be 16 MW. Two turbines with a generator, a condenser, and a heat exchanger make up its main parts.

An extension of the Onikobe Geothermal Power Plant is planned for 2019. It is a reliable energy source that may run continuously (day and night) in Thailand and requires no upkeep. Compared to fuels like coal, gasoline, oil, and natural gas, it has the advantage of reducing pollution, which benefits the environment. By the end of 2019, the power plant is projected to produce 25 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The local economy will benefit from this growth since Onikobe’s population is anticipated to triple in the next years.

Powerplant Onuma Plant Reviews

A 9.5 megawatt (MW) geothermal power station called the Onuma Power station is situated in Onuma, Japan, at coordinates 39.9813 (latitude) and 140.7819 (longitude). This geothermal energy conversion power plant started operating in 2017 and is expected to produce over 70 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.

The project team’s cutting-edge geothermal exploration technology and a special geothermal energy conversion system that turns steam turbines to produce electricity were used in the design of the Onuma power plant. The Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, which aspires to advance geothermal energy technologies in order to lessen the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, is supporting this initiative.

By reducing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide yearly and other air pollutants that are emitted during the combustion of fossil fuels, the Onuma power plant has a good effect on the surrounding environment. Additionally, this power plant is periodically checked for compliance with safety and environmental regulations and has a strong safety system in place to safeguard both the environment and power plant employees.

Powerplant Otake Reviews

Japan is where the Otake factory is situated. It is a 12.5 MW geothermal energy facility that has been in service since 2002. It is situated in the city of Otake at latitude 33.1217 and longitude 131.1902. One of the most effective geothermal power plants in Japan, Otake is projected to have produced more than 8.8 million megawatt hours of geothermal energy between 2002 and 2016. The facility is renowned for its high effectiveness in making use of the nearby geothermal resources.

Otake’s geothermal power plant stands out from others primarily due to its great efficiency, which allows it to produce more than 12.5 kilowatt hours per ton of fuel. In addition, the Otake plant’s ability to endure seismic activity and its consistent access to natural water for its cooling system have allowed it to offer dependable and uninterrupted power to nearby villages. One of the top geothermal power plants in the area as of 2016, the Otake facility achieved the highest lifetime capacity factor of 97.7%.

Powerplant Sumikawa Akita Reviews

A 50 megawatt geothermal power facility called Sumikawa Akita is situated in the Japanese prefecture of Akita. Since it first began operating in 1980, the Sumikawa Akita, which can be found in coordinates 39.9813 latitude and 140.7822 longitude, has been a significant source of electricity for the neighborhood. The Sumikawa Akita employs geothermal steam to generate energy, making it one of the country’s oldest geothermal power plants still in use. Geothermal sources, such as hot springs and shallow boreholes, are used to recover water that has been heated by the earth’s interior heat. To produce energy, hot water is fed through a turbine, and the resulting electricity is then sent to the neighborhood. A small city’s worth of power—roughly 50,000 homes—can be generated by the Sumikawa Akita at a rate of about 50.5 megawatts.

Powerplant Takigami Reviews

A 25MW geothermal power plant called Takigami can be found in Japan at 33.2115N 131.2731E. It has been running since October 1995 and gets most of its energy from fluids extracted from various geothermal sources. The facility occupies a space of 38.5 hectares and can generate 25 MW of power. In the plant, geothermal fluids are primarily used to generate electricity and direct steam is used for drying, heating, and cooling.

The plant comprises a three-unit power station and is built using cutting-edge geothermalospheric technology. It is outfitted with cutting-edge waste management systems that make it possible to safely dispose of both solid and liquid wastes. An estimated 181,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity are produced annually at Takigami Power Plant.

Powerplant Uenotai Reviews

The 27.5MW Uenotai geothermal power station is situated in Japan at latitude 270.0012 and longitude 140.6039. The power plant started running in 2018 and is anticipated to produce 180 million kWh of electricity annually. As the eighth geothermal power plant built in the nation, Uenotai is one of Japan’s principal renewable energy sources. Geothermal steam, which is heated naturally beneath the ground in channels with a temperature that is much greater than that of conventional sources, serves as its main fuel.

The electricity produced at Uenotai is used for a variety of purposes, including industrial processes, commercial operations, and—perhaps most significantly—as a dependable energy source for residences and establishments all around the nation. Due to its location in one of the seismically active regions of the world, Uenotai decided to adopt an integrated seismically resistant support system for its powerplant, enabling it to continue producing even in the event of large-scale earthquakes.

Powerplant Yamagawa Reviews

Yamagawa, a 30-megawatt geothermal power facility, is situated at 31.1908° latitude and 130.6142° longitude. It started operating in and is thought to produce annually.

Steam will be produced at the geothermal power plant using the ambient heat from the Earth’s surface. The steam is then used to power turbines, producing mechanical energy. It is regarded as an environmentally benign kind of energy because it is an endless supply and does not depend on gasoline or any other type of energy that is currently used.

Yamagawa has been able to offer the neighborhood with a steady supply of clean electricity by using geothermal energy. Additionally, it has been attributed for helping to reduce the carbon emissions from other energy sources based on fossil fuels.

Powerplant Yanaizu-Nishiyama Reviews

The precise location of the Yanaizu-Nishiyama power plant in Japan is 37.44 North and 139.694 East. The geothermal 65 MW power station primarily generates electricity through steam turbines. It started operating in 1971 when it initially went online. The Yanaizu-Nishiyama power plant, Japan’s first geothermal facility, generates 5.6% of the nation’s total geothermal energy.

Turbines of the power plant are propelled by superheated subterranean steam. With temperatures ranging from 200 to 300 C, the steam is confined in multiple deep wells. Following that, the steam is routed into the power plant where it is used to power the turbines, transforming heat into kinetic energy that is then used to produce electricity. When this power is sent into the grid, the plant can supply thousands of homes and businesses around the nation with clean, renewable energy.

FAQ

Q1. What is geothermal power plant?

A. A unique class of power plants called geothermal power plants uses heat that is stored beneath the earth’s surface to produce energy. A source of renewable energy, a carbon dioxide-free heat source, and very cheap operation and maintenance expenses are some of the important characteristics of geothermal power plants. The Japan Geotechnical Society is primarily responsible for running geothermal power stations in Japan.

Q2. What is the potential of geothermal energy in Japan?

A. Geothermal energy in Japan has enormous potential for growth, both economically and environmentally. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry estimates that as of 2018, Japan’s geothermal power plants have a total potential energy output of roughly 5.6 GW, which is equal to the energy used by 8.3 million households. However, only roughly 1 GW of this potential has so far been used because of the limited space that is available.

Q3. Are there any special regulations regarding geothermal power plants in Japan?

A. Yes, local governments must approve and enforce special restrictions for the construction of geothermal power facilities. These rules have been put in place to safeguard local residents’ safety and to safeguard the environment. In order to operate, all geothermal power facilities in Japan are required to adhere to these rules and get the required local government approvals.

Q4. What are the different types of geothermal power plants in Japan?

A. In Japan, open-loop and closed-loop geothermal power facilities are the two principal varieties. The open-loop system, which is the most prevalent kind in Japan, directly circulates steam while generating power. The closed-loop method, on the other hand, makes use of hydraulic fracturing to draw heat from the earth’s crust’s hot rocks. Electricity is produced by both of these systems, but the closed-loop system is thought to be more effective.

Q5. Are there any benefits to using geothermal power plants in Japan?

A. Yes, employing geothermal power plants in Japan has a number of advantages. For starters, geothermal power plants don’t release any carbon dioxide or other air pollutants, making them a source of clean and renewable energy. Geothermal power plants can also deliver consistent and stable electricity, which makes them a perfect source of energy for homes and businesses. Last but not least, compared to other methods of energy production, geothermal power plants can typically be built at a very modest cost.

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