A Developmental Study on the Utilization of Geothermal Energy for Saving Energy in Houses

Japan is a long and narrow island country from north to south and in some areas in Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan, the temperature difference in a year is more than 70deg.C. Under the harsh climate, the heat of summer and the severe cold of winter, a greater consideration is necessary in choosing architectural technique and a way of life. Rikubetsu-cho, which is well-known as the coldest area in Japan, has studied about the following three points for 26 years: (1) a high insulation and airtight technique of housing design in which the least energy is needed (2) a design of a cooperative house, in which elderly people live with comfort even under severe climate conditions (3) to put into practice a ventilation and heating system by geothermal energy. In Japan the utilization of geothermal energy is far behind that of solar power generation. Especially in areas with many volcanoes or hot springs, to utilize geothermal energy is effective. The author investigates a technique which can be applied to general buildings or houses without excessive investment on equipments.1KJ00009782539研究論文departmental bulletin pape