八丁原地熱発電所 is a 110 MW geothermal power plant located in Japan, operated by 九州電力株式会社. Commissioned in 1990, it utilizes geothermal energy to produce electricity. It is the largest geothermal plant in Japan, ranking 1st among the 16 geothermal plants in the country. With 110 MW, it represents 14.54% of Japan's total geothermal capacity of 756 MW. Japan has 16 geothermal plants with a combined capacity of 756 MW. This facility is equal in size to the largest geothermal plant, Hatchobaru Otake, also at 110 MW. Geothermal energy is an important part of Japan's renewable energy strategy, contributing to the country's efforts to diversify its energy sources. The volcanic activity in regions such as Kyushu provides significant geothermal resources. The plant is situated approximately 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo in Kumamoto Prefecture.
36 years old
Japan, Asia
- Primary Fuel Type
- Geothermal
- Energy Source
- Renewable
- Country
Japan- Continent
- Asia
- Data Source
- Global Power Plant Database
Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.
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