ID :
359269
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 06:45
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Japan's Green Geothermal Generation System An Exemplary Facility

From Caroline Jackson BEPPU (Japan), March 6 (Bernama) -- Located in the Aso-Kuju National Park near here amid picturesque hotsprings and snow-capped mountains, the Hatchobaru Geothermal Power Station is an environmentally friendly facility that other countries, especially those in the ASEAN region, can emulate. The 110,000 kilowatt (kW) thermal power site, which has the largest rated capacity in Japan, uses underground heat resource that does not pollute the air and gives much attention to harmony with the natural surroundings. According to Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc (EPC) Hatchobaru Plant Generation Station deputy director Seiki Kawazoe, geothermal power was the fourth leading power that had a highly stable energy supply source. "Despite being costly to produce and occupying a small share in Japan's energy mix, it has been playing an important role by attaining a high capacity factor without anxiety of energy storage or supply," he told a group of ASEAN journalists on an invitation programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan, here, recently. At the station, geothermal power is generated through what is called a double flash system, jointly developed and put into commercial use by Kyushu EPC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd as a pioneer in the world. Hatchobaru is an unattended geothermal power station controlled by operators stationed in Otake, about two kilometres away. Kawazoe said geothermal power, a viable and purely domestic energy source, was among eight types of power - the others being hydro, oil, coal, solar, wind, gas and nuclear - that were available in Japan. From the perspective of reducing global warming, he said, geothermal power was a natural energy source that was highly effective in controlling carbon dioxide emissions. For this reason, he said, expectations were high for the development of geothermal power in Japan to provide a stable supply of electricity. Japan had 18 such stations with a total capacity of about 540 megawatts (MW), he said, adding that Kyushu EPC operated seven of the units, producing 212 MW or 39 per cent of the total output. At present, the world's geothermal power facilities produce a total of 10,715 MW. In ASEAN, the Philippines produces 1,904 MW; Indonesia, 1,197 MW and Thailand, 0.3 MW. It is reported that in the Hatchobaru district in Oita prefecture, volcanic magma eruptions, a heat source for geothermal energy, began about 200,000 years ago and formed the present geothermal reservoir. "In Hatchobaru (district), this reservoir has been confirmed by surface survey and investigation and exploratory well drilling, and the steam harnessed from the well is utilised for power generation," he said. For the development of the Hatchobaru power station, he said, Kyushu EPC was responsible for a one-through development, geothermal resource survey, exploration, and development and planning. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA

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