Geothermal business & research experience
Business experience in Japan
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Photo provided by Iwate Geothermal Power Co., Ltd.
Matsuo-Hachimantai Geothermal Power Plant in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
Iwate Geothermal Power Co., Ltd.: Operation started in 2019 by an SPC, whose shareholders are JMC, Geothermal Engineering Co., Ltd., JFE Engineering Corporation, Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd. and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
Our Matsuo-Hachimantai Geothermal Center operates the geothermal power plant under an outsourcing contract for operation and maintenance services. -
Photo provided by Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.
Mori Geothermal Power Plant in Mori Town, Hokkaido
Operation started in 1982. Currently owned by Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.
Our Mori Geothermal Center operates steam production facilities under outsourcing contracts for operation and construction management services and maintenance, operation, and monitoring services. -
Photo provided by Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.
Kakkonda Geothermal Power Plant in Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture
Succeeded in generating the largest amount of geothermal power in Japan at the time (started operation in 1978).
Subsequently, the second geothermal power plant was built (started operation in 1996).
Currently owned by Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. and Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc. -
(Photo taken around 2000)
Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
Succeeded in the first commercial-scale geothermal power generation in Japan (started operation in 1966).
Currently owned by Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.
Overseas business experience
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Yangbajain Geothermal Field, Tibet, China
Exploration and evaluation of deep geothermal resources that are hotter than the shallow resources used by existing geothermal power plants
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San Kamphaeng Geothermal Field, Thailand
Exploration well drilled in the San Kamphaeng geothermal field. Identified a hot water geothermal resource capable of generating 5 MW of electricity.
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Drilling vessel used to excavate the bottom of Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal has a history of about 30 million years, and it is thought that the sediments from that period are preserved continuously at the bottom of the lake. Continuous sampling of lake sediments was planned for the purpose of identifying climatic changes during that period, and JMC was commissioned to conduct the sampling.
Geothermal research experience in Japan (including R&D projects)
| Survey title | Client | Execution period | Scope of work | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geothermal development promotion survey: Study on available resources in the Matsuo-Hachimantai region | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 2010 to 2011 | In the Matsuo-Hachimantai region, we conducted a surface survey, reconstructed a geothermal reservoir model, and assessed the volume of resources and economic potential. | |
| Geothermal development promotion survey C-2: Hachimantai region | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 2006 to 2009 | In order to assess and develop geothermal resources in the Hachimantai region, we conducted surface surveys, well drilling and test, and comprehensive analysis. | |
| Geothermal development promotion survey C-2: Tenei Village region | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 2004 to 2006 | In order to assess and develop geothermal resources in the Tenei Village region, we conducted surface surveys, well drilling and test, and comprehensive analysis. | |
| Geothermal development promotion survey: Survey on resources in the Appi region | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 2001 to 2003 | In order to assess the geothermal resources in the Appi region, we conducted surface surveys, a well test, and a long-term blowout test. | |
| Survey for finding prospective areas for strategic geothermal development: Southern Hachimantai region survey | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 2000 to 2001 | In the southern Hachimantai region, we analyzed and assessed geothermal resources over a wide area for the purpose of helping design plans for medium/long-term intensive surveys for promoting geothermal development and estimate available resources. | |
| Geothermal development promotion survey: Demonstration test of the hammer drilling method | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1999 to 2000 | In order to reduce drilling costs associated with geothermal development, we conducted a demonstration test for the application of the hydraulic hammer drilling method to geothermal wells. | |
| Geothermal development promotion survey: Akinomiya region survey | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1996 to 2001 | In order to assess and develop geothermal resources in the Akinomiya region, we conducted surface surveys, well drilling and test, long-term blowout tests, and comprehensive analysis. | |
| Geothermal exploration technology verification survey: Deep geothermal resource survey | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1993 to 1999 | With the objective of developing deep high-temperature resources and expanding steam production from wells, we conducted a study of the Kakkonda deep reservoir. | |
| Geothermal exploration technology verification survey: Development of microseismic exploration method | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1990 to 1994 | We developed a system that analyzes the epicenters of microearthquakes and extract the rupture by integrating the results and data. | |
| Shizukuishi area geothermal hydrothermal project demonstration survey: Hot water demonstration survey and testing work | Iwate Prefecture | 1990 to 1994 | Among the hydrothermal water production facilities, we conducted a demonstration study to determine whether the transportation of hot water from the raw hot water branch facility to the hot water production facility can be performed stably. | |
| Development of a power generation plant using hot water: Development of technology to increase production volume | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1989 to 1993 | We developed a method for assessing and designing fractures in the subsurface, and developed a technique for increasing the volume of recoverable geothermal fluid using hydraulic fracturing. | |
| Development of geothermal reservoir evaluation technology: Mori region | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1988 to 1994 | We conducted reservoir evaluations in the Mori region by drilling research wells, well testing, pressure monitoring, and reservoir simulation analysis. | |
| Sugawara region reservoir evaluation work | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1987 to 1989 | We predicted reservoir behavior in the Hohi-Sugawara region when binary cycle power generation is implemented. | |
| Development of a power generation plant using hot water: Development of optimal production methods for hot water | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1985 to 1988 | We developed a reservoir simulator, an in-well flow simulator, and an economic model to evaluate the capacity of geothermal reservoirs. | |
| National geothermal resources survey: Survey on possible high-temperature regions (South Aizu) | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1985 to 1986 | We conducted a heat radiation survey in the South Aizu region and assessed heat sources. | |
| Development of technology to prevent calcium carbonate deposition | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1985 to 1986 | We developed a high-temperature caliper measuring device and a technology to prevent calcium carbonate deposition through the use of deposition inhibitors. | |
| Shizukuishi area geothermal hydrothermal project demonstration survey: Drilling of a reducing well | Iwate Prefecture | 1985 to 1994 | In the Shizukuishi region, we drilled reduction wells, conducted well tests, pressure interference tests, and reservoir simulation analysis to evaluate the reduction volume. | |
| Development of a power generation plant using hot water: Investigation of underground hydrothermal reduction mechanisms | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | 1975 to 1991 | We evaluated the behavior of reduced hot water in the ground and fluid behavior in reservoirs based on well tests, reservoir tests, reservoir simulation analysis, etc. | |
| Unzen Volcano: Volcanic vent drilling in the “International joint research to elucidate the mechanism of eruptions and magma activity through scientific excavation” | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) | 2004 | In order to elucidate the eruption mechanism and magmatic activity of Unzen Volcano, the drilling of a scientific research well was carried out in the middle of Mt. Unzen Volcano to drill the volcanic vent. |
Overseas geothermal research experience
| Survey title | Client | Target countries | Execution period | Scope of work | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthening response to geothermal field issues (geothermal advisors) | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | Worldwide | 2012 to 2013 | We supported the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) from a technical viewpoint, by offering the services of information gathering and analysis in the geothermal field. | |
| Project to develop a national master plan for renewable energy in the El Salvador | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | El Salvador | 2011 to 2012 | We formulated a master plan for the 15-year period from 2012 to 2027. The plan was aimed for small hydropower, geothermal power, solar power, wind power, and biomass power, with JMC being in charge of the geothermal power sector. | |
| Fundamental study on using geothermal heat pump systems for district heating in Irkutsk, Russian Federation | Global Environment Centre Foundation (GEC) | Russian Federation | 2003 to 2004 | We conducted a fundamental study for replacing the heat source for district heating in Irkutsk with geothermal heat pumps. | |
| Feasibility study for small scale geothermal power generation in a local electric grid in the Kingdom of Thailand | Engineering and Consulting Firms Association, Japan (ECFA) | Kingdom of Thailand | 2001 | In order to identify areas in the Mae Hong Son region where clean and economical small-scale geothermal power generation can be carried out, we gathered information on geothermal resources, electricity, and infrastructure in addition to confirming geothermal resources, and considered a draft research plan. | |
| Survey on the development plan of geothermal resources in Tibetan Yangbajain, People’s Republic of China | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | People’s Republic of China | 2000 to 2006 | We conducted geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, drilled wells, and researched wells in the Yangbajain region from 2000 to 2006 to assess geothermal resources and to examine the feasibility of geothermal power generation. | |
| Feasibility study on Sibayak geothermal power generation | United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) | Republic of Indonesia | 1999 | We examined the number of geothermal resources and the development scale through surface surveys and data analysis. | |
| Fundamental study on using geothermal energy for district heating in Kamchatka, Russian Federation | New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) | Russian Federation | 1998 to 1999 | We conducted a fundamental study in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to replace the heat source for centralized heating from coal-fired power generation to geothermal sources (geothermal hot water, heat pumps). | |
| Survey on selection of prospective geothermal development sites in the Republic of Indonesia | Engineering and Consulting Firms Association, Japan (ECFA) | Republic of Indonesia | 1998 | We selected prospective geothermal sites based on surface surveys and data analysis. | |
| Geothermal survey in the Autonomous Region of Tibet, China | Engineering and Consulting Firms Association, Japan (ECFA) | People’s Republic of China | 1998 | We discussed the scale of geothermal resources by conducting surface surveys and analyzing data. | |
| Acquisition of geophysical logging data in Lake Baikal | Shinshu University | Russian Federation | 1998 | We conducted geophysical logging in the bottom borehole of Lake Baikal to investigate the physical characteristics of the sediments. | |
| Drilling technology support for “International joint research on analysis of long-term environmental change using sediments from Lake Baikal” | National Institute for Environmental Studies | Russian Federation | 1997 to 1998 | We provided technical cooperation in the construction of the drilling system and drilling operations for the scientific drilling of the bottom of Lake Baikal. | |
| Survey on resources and industries in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China | Engineering and Consulting Firms Association, Japan (ECFA) | People’s Republic of China | 1996 | We examined the availability of geothermal resources through surface surveys and data analysis. | |
| Mexico La Primavera geothermal development plan study | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | United Mexican States | 1984 to 1989 | We conducted geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, drilled wells, and researched wells in the La Primavera region to assess geothermal resources and to examine the feasibility of geothermal power generation. | |
| Survey of the San Kamphaeng geothermal development project in the Kingdom of Thailand | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | Kingdom of Thailand | 1982 to 1987 | We conducted geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, drilled wells, and researched wells in the San Kamphaeng region assess geothermal resources and to examine the feasibility of geothermal power generation. |
NED: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
Experience of disaster prevention surveys in Japan
Unzen Volcano: Volcanic vent drilling in the “International joint research to elucidate the mechanism of eruptions and magma activity through scientific excavation”
- Client
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- Execution period
- 2004
- Scope of work
- In order to elucidate the eruption mechanism and magmatic activity of Unzen Volcano, the drilling of a scientific research well was carried out in the middle of Mt. Unzen Volcano to drill the volcanic vent.