| Title | Geothermal Development at the Wasabizawa and Akinomiya Prospects |
|---|---|
| Authors | Shigetaka Nakanishi |
| Year | 2012 |
| Conference | Japan International Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Wasabizawa-Akinomiya field is a high temperature and promising geothermal field in Akita prefecture, the North-East district, Japan. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, NEDO, conducted geothermal development promotion surveys in the Wasabizawa area and the neighboring Akinomiya area. After the surveys by NEDO, its following geothermal development survey was initiated by Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC) in April 2008. J-Power, MMC and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC) established Yuzawa Geothermal Power Corporation (YGP) in April 2010 to accelerate geothermal exploration, and carried out feasibility studies for power generation using geothermal energy extracted from the Wasabizawa-Akinomiya geothermal reservoir. Two exploratory wells, GW-1 and 2, were drilled in FY2009 and production test was carried out in 2010. We evaluate that a 42MW double flash power plant shall be sustainable based on the results of the reservoir simulation study. The project has been moved ahead to the environmental impact assessment procedure on November 7, 2011 by submitting the methodology statement to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry complied with related lows. The required environmental impact assessment procedure may take 3.5 years to be completed. We expect to be able to begin construction works in 2015. A brief history since the NEDO surveys, the reservoir system and future development plan of the Wasabizawa geothermal power plant (tentative name) will be presented at the workshop. |