Japan and the United States have recently joined hands to cooperate on a project that aims to harness geothermal energy. Japan, being an earthquake-prone country, has been actively utilizing geothermal energy to meet its power demands. At the same time, the US has been making efforts to develop renewable energy sources for a sustainable future. The collaboration between the two countries is expected to advance this technology and have positive implications for the climate and energy sectors. In this article, we explore the details of this initiative and its potential contributions to the ever-growing energy needs of the world.
Japan and the United States have joined forces to develop geothermal energy, which is one of the most abundant resources on the volcanic island chain. A memorandum of commitment was signed between the two nations at a meeting of the Group of Seven energy and environment ministers in Hokkaido. This pact recognizes geothermal energy as a renewable technology for the US and Japan to work together to advance, calling for cooperation in research and development, exchange of information and in the pursuit of geothermal projects in other countries.
While Japan is known for its hot springs reflecting its geothermal activity, the spas and resorts around them have slowed the effort to use this abundant resource to generate power. Adding more geothermal power could enable Japan to generate 90% of its power generation from renewable sources, according to an estimate by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, eventually resulting in a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, Japan’s geothermal capacity has been underutilized, with dozens of small power plants run on steaming hot springs that account for less than 1% of its total power generating capacity.
Both Japan and the US are seeking to export geothermal technology, with Japanese companies participating in a joint project to build what is expected to be the largest geothermal power station in Indonesia’s Sumatra, with a capacity of 320 gigawatts of electricity.
The agreement between the US and Japan is one of several areas where the two countries intend to collaborate, reducing fossil fuel dependence and cutting carbon emissions. Both countries have noted the enormous prospects in offshore wind, and enthusiasm about partnering with Japan in these areas.
Biomass and geothermal power, according to the US Energy Information Administration, also contribute less than 1% of US generating capacity. The signing of this pact between the US and Japan highlights a significant milestone in the development and use of sustainable geothermal energy.
