Go Greener Tips

At present, Japan has to import 80% of the energy it needs, including 100% of oil. And it is despite the fact that the oil is used for 51.8% of the total energy developed in the country. 17,9% of the energy is produced with coal, 13.1% with natural gas, 12,4% with nuclear power, 3,4% with hydropower, 1.1% with the other energy sources (solar, wind and biomass).

Despite the wealth of the country’s with hot springs, the share of geothermal energy is only 0,2% of the total evolved energy. There are 16 geothermal power plants in Japan, the total production capacity of them reaches 530 MW.

Small experimental geothermal power plants were built in the field of volcanic activity in Japan in 1925-1926. The idea of their construction was based on the fact that volcanoes were characterized by strong heat, the selection of which could be observed during their eruptions. However, these experiments were unsuccessful.
The first commercial geothermal power plant was put into operation in this country in 1966 in Matsukave. This station of 23 MW appeared after try of spa organizing in the neighbourhood in 1953. It turned out that steam was found at depths of 160-300 m in most of drilled wells. The hot steam is being produced from the five existing wells at a pressure of 4.4 bar and under the temperature of 153-1900 o C.
I would like to point out that Japan is moving away from geothermal energy. It is connected with the fact that the station are located in the area of natural reserves there. Together with the steam hydrogen sulfide is emitted into the atmosphere. It has an unpleasant odor and is harmful to environment of the reserve. The authorities have imposed restrictions on the emission of volcanic origin hydrogen sulfide into the atmosphere. Violators are forced to pay huge fines or completely refuse from stations.

Broad construction of new environmentally friendly geothermal plants is constrained by their high cost.

At the same time many examples of unusual use of thermal waters can be found in Japan.

The snow is being melted on the road with geothermal energy. There are several ways to do this. For example, steam is being passed through pipes laid under the road in Kusatsu-machi. And special liquid heated deep in the Earth is being poured onto the roads in Hanamaki.

Cakes named as Manzo are often made and sold on resorts with thermal waters. Now most of them are made in factories, but in the old days they were prepared on steam, which rose above the basin with hot water.

Thermal springs are used for heating greenhouses with various fruits and vegetables. At Atagava spas such tropical plants as bananas and Bougainville grow. There is also elephant turtles and crocodiles breeding.
Therefore, Japan focuses on the development of solar power, wind and other renewable energies now.

So, we can see that Japan always uses all opportunities to develop as it has been happening during last many decades. Its example as the country, which always works for innovations and has got enough patience to feel the feed back can show other countries better ways of moving to.

Be smart and use the help of solar power grants to convert your life to better ecological balance with nature. Read about solar power grants, how to use them and where you can find these solar power grants.

P.S. Quality knowledge quickly enhances the quality of our life.

That is why if you are properly armed with the information in your topic you can be sure that you will in any case find the way out from any bad situation. So, please make sure to track this site on a regular basis or – the easiest way to take care of it – sign up to its RSS feed. Thus you will have a direct shortcut to the latest info updates here. Blogging can be helpful, you just need to understand how to use it.