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| Shot of damaged reactor buildings (Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster) Author: Digita- Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license Globe |
It happened on March 11, 2011 - first came the earthquake off the
Pacific coast of Tohuku, now known to be the most powerful earthquake ever to have hit Japan. Then,
the tsunami hit, with the height of the waves reaching up to 133 feet,
formidable and terrifying by any standard.
But that wasn't all. What came next compounded the terror: a series of malfunctioning equipment, nuclear meltdowns and explosions, culminating in the release of radioactive materials into the air.
The world watched as events unfolded and reports came in about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, sharing in the grief and despair of the Japanese.
More than a year later, Japan now has a strong and high interest in finding alternative energy sources, largely fueled by the fears and safety issues brought on by the tragedies that happened in March 2011.
To appease the people’s safety apprehensions, Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors were disabled right after the disaster. Only two have since resumed their operations.
Proponents of renewable energy have long been advocating that geothermal energy may not only address the power demands of the Japanese, but also help alleviate the country’s power crisis.
This is not a far-fetched scenario. In fact, it is highly probable, particularly now that energy supply in Japan is not really that stable.
Digging deep into the bowels of the earth for the steam that can provide the much needed clean energy and safe power through a geothermal plant is a very enticing alternative, compared to a nuclear plant.
The Japanese government recently announced its plans to triple renewable energy sources by 2030, inclusive of course, of geothermal energy. The first-ever geothermal power plant began its operations in 1966 in Iwate Prefecture near Akita Prefecture. 17 geothermal plants are currently in active service nationwide, and nine of these are located near or within designated national parks and monuments.
But that wasn't all. What came next compounded the terror: a series of malfunctioning equipment, nuclear meltdowns and explosions, culminating in the release of radioactive materials into the air.
The world watched as events unfolded and reports came in about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, sharing in the grief and despair of the Japanese.
More than a year later, Japan now has a strong and high interest in finding alternative energy sources, largely fueled by the fears and safety issues brought on by the tragedies that happened in March 2011.
To appease the people’s safety apprehensions, Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors were disabled right after the disaster. Only two have since resumed their operations.
Proponents of renewable energy have long been advocating that geothermal energy may not only address the power demands of the Japanese, but also help alleviate the country’s power crisis.
This is not a far-fetched scenario. In fact, it is highly probable, particularly now that energy supply in Japan is not really that stable.
Digging deep into the bowels of the earth for the steam that can provide the much needed clean energy and safe power through a geothermal plant is a very enticing alternative, compared to a nuclear plant.
The Japanese government recently announced its plans to triple renewable energy sources by 2030, inclusive of course, of geothermal energy. The first-ever geothermal power plant began its operations in 1966 in Iwate Prefecture near Akita Prefecture. 17 geothermal plants are currently in active service nationwide, and nine of these are located near or within designated national parks and monuments.
The existing geothermal plants generate 535 megawatts of energy,
accounting for about 0.2 percent of the country’s total energy output. This is
very small, compared to the estimated potential of Japan, since more than 20 gigawatts of geothermal energy capacity could still be developed.
Several years ago, there was a hump to be considered in implementing geothermal power projects, or even geothermal exploration in Japan. Almost 80 percent of Japan’s potential geothermal reserves are located in areas designated as national parks and monuments. When Japan was only starting to develop its geothermal resources, this didn’t bother anyone. However priorities soon shifted and in 1974, advocacies for environmental protection led to the banning of further developments.
But by 2010, priorities once again shifted as global warming concerns and the introduction of green energy goals ushered the Ministry of the Environment to review the existing policies on exploiting geothermal energy reserves located in national parks.
In March of 2012, the Japanese government finally lifted its
decades-old ban thus allowing geothermal exploration projects in five new
potential sites to commence under supervision, as these geothermal reserves are
found in national parks and monuments.
Japan's situation regarding clean energy, specifically geothermal exploration and geothermal power plants, is not unique.
In the Philippines for example, there is a nearly parallel situation in Sorsogon, in the Southern Bicol region, with the Southern Bicol Geothermal Project often mistakenly called Bulusan Geothermal exploration initiatives. (Mt. Bulusan is the volcano proximate to the geothermal exploration area being considered, hence confusion sometimes arises.)
As is the case with Japan, the national government of the Philippines, through the Department of Energy, is fully backing not only the use, but just as importantly, the development of renewable energy sources, which includes geothermal energy.
Japan's situation regarding clean energy, specifically geothermal exploration and geothermal power plants, is not unique.
In the Philippines for example, there is a nearly parallel situation in Sorsogon, in the Southern Bicol region, with the Southern Bicol Geothermal Project often mistakenly called Bulusan Geothermal exploration initiatives. (Mt. Bulusan is the volcano proximate to the geothermal exploration area being considered, hence confusion sometimes arises.)
As is the case with Japan, the national government of the Philippines, through the Department of Energy, is fully backing not only the use, but just as importantly, the development of renewable energy sources, which includes geothermal energy.
Fortunately, in Japan, despite some setbacks, there is strong support generated
by those who see the situation from various perspectives. Takakazu Fujiwara, an
official in the Yuzawa City planning office, said, “Geothermal power has been
viewed by Yuzawa City as something that can generate business, so as a
municipality we are actively promoting it.”
Joining the ranks of ardent supporters of Yuzawa’s geothermal energy development is the Yuzawa City Geothermal Development Facilitation Council, a local activist group which was formed when Japan started its first geothermal projects 30 years ago — three of these pilot projects were in the Akita Prefecture.
Joining the ranks of ardent supporters of Yuzawa’s geothermal energy development is the Yuzawa City Geothermal Development Facilitation Council, a local activist group which was formed when Japan started its first geothermal projects 30 years ago — three of these pilot projects were in the Akita Prefecture.
“Many city residents, including myself, support geothermal
power development because
it sets us apart from surrounding municipalities,” said 77-year old Shoji Sato,
chairman of the group. “It’s a unique industry that the cities around us don’t
have."
Most telling of all, however, is the imperative to find a clean and safe alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power.
That imperative is not only for Japan, but for all of humanity
Most telling of all, however, is the imperative to find a clean and safe alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power.
That imperative is not only for Japan, but for all of humanity
Hello! I will be looking forward to visit your page again and for your other posts as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about geothermal in your area. I'm glad to stop by your site and know more about geothermal. This is a good read.
TumugonBurahinEven though geothermal power is globally sustainable, extraction must still be monitored to avoid local depletion. Over the course of decades, individual wells draw down local temperatures and water levels until a new equilibrium is reached with natural flows. The three oldest sites, at Larderello, Wairakei, and the Geysers have experienced reduced output because of local depletion. Heat and water, in uncertain proportions, were extracted faster than they were replenished. If production is reduced and water is reinjected, these wells could theoretically recover their full potential. Such mitigation strategies have already been implemented at some sites. The long-term sustainability of geothermal energy has been demonstrated at the Lardarello field in Italy since 1913, at the Wairakei field in New Zealand since 1958, and at The Geysers field in California since 1960.
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