| Abstract |
As the first step to estimate the total heat load in direct utilization of geothermal energy in Japan, a preliminary investigation has started to grasp the present state in geothermal space heating of buildings and greenhouses, domestic water supplies, fish breeding farm heating, snow melting's and industrial processing's. Results of the investigation are summarize. It is pointed out that direct use in Japan is characterized by (1) extracting heat from geothermal water derived from separators in the geothermal power plants prior to being injected and (2) using hot water from the existing thermal springs with nationwide distribution, in many, relatively small scale cases. Finally, the total geothermal heat load of 58 MWt is tentatively estimate for public, commercial, industrial and agri and aqua cultural applications. |