Mitsubishi Materials is developing a renewable energy business in order to contribute to the building of a recycling-oriented society while respecting the limited resources the earth has to offer.
We are harnessing the technologies and know- how we have fostered through developing coal and metal mines in the past to generate geothermal and hydroelectric power, and we are also working on solar power generation.
Among these types of renewable energy, geothermal power in particular has been attracting attention recently. In Japan, a country blessed with geothermal resources, there are high expectations for its potential to provide a stable supply of electricity regardless of the weather.
Mitsubishi Materials has been working on geothermal power development for over 50 years and is newly developing it still today. In this special feature, we will introduce some of the challenges and our employees’ thoughts on the geothermal power generation business.

Humanity has been relying on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas since the Industrial Revolution. However, coal is estimated to run out in the next 100 years, and oil and natural gas in the next 50 years.
We will not be able to sustain our society unless we secure energy by means other than fossil fuels. Fossil fuels also emit greenhouse gases, which are the main cause of global warming.
Extreme weather is already occurring around the world and bringing about many problems, such as rising sea levels and impacts on ecosystems.
Thus, in order to halt global warming as soon as possible, many countries are acting together to effectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to zero and aiming to become carbon neutral. One way to achieve this is through the use of renewable energy.
Mitsubishi Materials has been contributing to carbon neutrality by working on geothermal, hydroelectric, and solar power generation. Among these, geothermal power generation - which we have been working on since the 1960s - is a purely domestic energy source that can provide a stable supply of electricity regardless of the weather.
We are developing an integrated geothermal power generation business,
rom geothermal resource surveys to plant engineering and operation management. We hope to use the know-how and technological capabilities we have accumulated until now to contribute to solving the world’s energy issues and global warming.

Provides a stable supply of energy
Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy that is not influenced by the weather or seasons. It can provide a stable supply of electricity.

Benefits the community as well
The hot water remaining after steam separation can be used as energy for greenhouse cultivation, aquaculture businesses, etc.

Contributes to achieving carbon neutrality
Among renewable energy sources, it is the second lowest CO2 emission power generation method after hydropower.

How  Geothermal Power Generation Works
Steam comes from high-temperature geothermal fluid (hot water and steam) a few kilometers or more below the earth’s surface. The steam enters a turbine and generates electricity.