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Japan’s vast geothermal potential—estimated at around 23 gigawatts—remains underutilized due to geographical, environmental, and regulatory hurdles. Geothermal energy, derived from natural underground heat sources, offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, producing low carbon dioxide emissions. The country’s volcanic landscape provides a promising yet complex environment for energy development.
Particularly in this region, geothermal plants can produce electricity through various processes: dry steam turbines, flash steam methods, and binary cycle systems. In binary systems, heat from the earth energizes a secondary fluid, generating power without extensive drilling or disturbance of existing hot springs, thus minimizing environmental impact.