TOKYO - Geothermal energy is drawing growing global attention as a key to combating global warming and achieving a decarbonized society. Among clean energy sources, it stands out for its stability and scalability. Japan, blessed with abundant volcanic activity, possesses the world’s third-largest geothermal reserves—yet its utilization remains limited.
Scientist Kasumi Yasukawa from the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security has been at the forefront of geothermal research and development. Over the past two decades, global geothermal power generation has roughly doubled, driven by the recognition that it is both clean and efficient. Yasukawa has led surveys in countries rich in geothermal resources, developing original methods for locating underground “heat points” hidden deep beneath the surface.
Unlike solar or wind, geothermal energy can be harnessed day and night, rain or shine. It generates electricity by using steam and hot water naturally erupting from underground reservoirs, and in some cases can operate at temperatures as low as 100°C. This flexibility has made it one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources worldwide.
Yasukawa also studies the rapidly advancing technology of “ground-source heat pumps,” which utilize stable underground temperatures for heating and cooling buildings. She explains that this innovation could “fundamentally change our understanding of climate control,” offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to conventional systems.
Despite its potential, geothermal power faces unique challenges in Japan, including regulatory hurdles, complex land rights near hot spring resorts, and the difficulty of balancing environmental protection with energy development. Still, experts like Yasukawa believe that overcoming these barriers could make geothermal energy a cornerstone of Japan’s clean energy future.
As the program’s host Koji Kato expressed surprise at the depth of this research, Yasukawa also shared her unexpected link to astronaut selection trials—an experience that helped shape her resilience and precision as a scientist. Her story offers a glimpse into the unseen world beneath our feet, where the Earth’s hidden heat may hold the key to a sustainable tomorrow.
Source: テレ東BIZ
