Japanese gov't to support companies boosting geothermal power plants

 promote the development of geothermal power plants as he sees it benefitting local economies, given that many geothermal resources are in rural areas.

More power to those involved in the development of geothermal power plants that might benefit local economies, though I'd be surprised if Japan, Inc. supports this, because by continuing the nations's reliance on burning large amounts of fossil fuels fuels got from Gulf nations, Russia, the US and elsewhere might limit some of the profits corporations have had for centuries, and thereby lose some of their control over the economy. I have not read a life-cycle study regarding geothermal powerplants, but want to believe anything is better than burning huge amounts of fossil fuels and having to pay for building, maintaining and later cleaning up the wastes from nuclear power plants.

technically it has been proven sufficient for small scale local distribution networks in euro. particularly for local home heating using efficient water/water energy transfer. in the winter months....turbines for a/c power I dunno,I have not seen anything about that. where would the pressure come from?

Geothermal energy is great and should be promoted (but not subsidized). However, there is a limit how it can contribute. Japan is not Iceland.

"However, the new-generation "closed-loop" technology collects heated water from a greater depth and as such does not conflict with the source of hot springs. With the current geothermal energy output at around 600,000 kilowatts, the government aims to increase the output to 1.5 million kilowatts by fiscal 2030."

"Although Japan ranks third in the world in terms of geothermal resources, boasting 23.4 million kilowatts, following the US and Indonesia, it has only harnessed 600,000 kilowatts, placing it at the tenth position. "

https://www.baseloadpower.jp/en/11th-geothermal-symposium-in-yufujoint-efforts-between-the-public-and-private-sectors-are-key/

"The Japanese government will start providing support for private companies to ramp up the development of geothermal power plants, tapping into the country's geothermal resources, the third largest in the world, sources close to the matter said"

Because we know sure as heck the government won't directly work on its development, given their hands in the NPP cookie jar and more than one former PM and high-ranking government official having family ties to coal and gas.

It is about time. Japan has tremendous geothermal potential, but so far has done little to develop it.

"Japan is not Iceland." Neither is California, but we develop about four times as much electricity from geothermal as does Iceland. It is the low hanging fruit of energy development. Once developed, it can go on producing for thousands and thousands of years, with almost no pollution.

The Earth is essentially a molten rock in space, with a thin layer of frozen rock floating on top. The amount of geothermal energy that could potentially be tapped into is enough to fulfill all of our energy needs.

By the way, it isn't really the USA that is the world leader in geothermal development, but California. Subtract California from the statistics, and the USA would be tied with New Zealand, and trail Turkey.

The Japanese government will start providing support for private companies to ramp up the development of geothermal power plants, tapping into the country's geothermal resources, the third largest in the world, sources close to the matter said .

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1glennToday 08:40 pm JST

It is about time. Japan has tremendous geothermal potential, but so far has done little to develop it.

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"It is about time" was my thoughts too.

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No burning fossil fuels.

No radiation disaster (man made error or natural) if something goes wrong with a reactor.

No waiting for the sun to shine.

No waiting for the wind to blow.

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Geo thermal energy seems to be perfect source of power.

Azzprin

No radiation disaster (man made error or natural) if something goes wrong with a reactor.

With Gen IV designs there is no disaster if "something goes wrong with a reactor". They are all walk-away safe. This emoting about outdated technology is getting old.

The are no commercially available Gen IV reactors.

Most of the objections to geothermal power came from Environment and Tourism ministries, who were concerned they would be a blight on the landscape, ignoring the blue tarpaulin sheets around their UNESCO heritage sites, castles and villages, A one-day trip to New Zealand would show how these geothermal plants are hidden from view.