Skip to main content

JOGMEC Calls for Proposals on Microseismic Technology for Geothermal Exploration

Advancing Geothermal Exploration Through Passive Seismic Techniques

By:Robert Buluma


The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) has launched a competitive tender inviting qualified firms to contribute to a groundbreaking technological development project. This initiative focuses on refining microseismic array technology to enhance geothermal exploration, providing a cost-effective and adaptable method for identifying potential geothermal resources. Interested applicants have until April 21, 2025, to submit their proposals.

This initiative is part of JOGMEC’s ongoing commitment to advancing geothermal energy through innovative exploration methods. The project, titled "High-Efficiency High-Density Geothermal Exploration Technology – Development of a New Exploration Method Using Elastic Waves," seeks to optimize the detection of geothermal reservoirs by leveraging passive seismic sources.

The Role of Microseismic Technology in Geothermal Exploration

Traditional geothermal exploration techniques often rely on active seismic methods, which require the generation of artificial seismic waves to analyze underground structures. While effective, these methods can be costly, labor-intensive, and environmentally intrusive. Microseismic array technology, in contrast, utilizes passive seismic sources such as wind, ocean waves, and human activity to detect subsurface structures without artificial energy input.

Key Advantages of Microseismic Exploration:

  • Cost Efficiency – Eliminates the need for artificial seismic sources, reducing operational costs.
  • Flexibility – The lightweight nature of the sensors allows for easy deployment and scalability.
  • Environmental Sustainability – Minimizes environmental disruption, making it a preferred method in sensitive ecosystems.
  • Higher Density Data Collection – The ability to increase measurement points enhances resolution and accuracy.

JOGMEC has already conducted preliminary testing on this technology and identified promising areas where it could be deployed. However, challenges remain, requiring further refinement before the method can be fully commercialized.

Objectives of the Tender

Through this competitive tender, JOGMEC aims to address existing technical hurdles and optimize the microtremor array exploration method. Key objectives include:

  1. Enhancing Sensitivity and Accuracy – Improving data processing algorithms to refine subsurface imaging.
  2. Developing Scalable Deployment Strategies – Creating standardized procedures for sensor placement and data acquisition.
  3. Expanding Geographic Applicability – Ensuring the method can be effectively used across diverse geological settings.
  4. Facilitating Commercial Adoption – Bridging the gap between research and practical application in geothermal resource assessment.

By resolving these challenges, JOGMEC hopes to establish a viable, industry-ready microseismic exploration method that can be widely deployed for geothermal prospecting.

Japan’s Commitment to Geothermal Energy Development

Japan, despite its vast geothermal potential, has historically underutilized this renewable energy source. JOGMEC has been at the forefront of efforts to expand geothermal energy production by supporting exploration, drilling, and power plant construction. The organization provides grants and technical assistance to accelerate geothermal development in Japan, aligning with national goals to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy security.

Notable Contributions by JOGMEC:

  • Financial Support for Geothermal Exploration and Drilling – Offering subsidies to encourage investment in geothermal projects.
  • Geothermal Power Plant Development Initiatives – Assisting in feasibility studies and construction of new geothermal facilities.
  • Innovation in Geothermal Exploration – Funding research projects like this tender to improve resource identification and assessment techniques.

How to Participate in the Tender

Qualified firms interested in contributing to the development of microseismic technology for geothermal exploration can access detailed application guidelines on JOGMEC’s official tender page. The deadline for proposal submission is April 21, 2025.

Application Requirements:

  • Detailed proposal outlining technological innovations and methodologies.
  • Demonstration of expertise in seismic exploration and geothermal resource assessment.
  • Compliance with JOGMEC’s research and development framework.

The Future of Geothermal Exploration

With continuous advancements in geophysical surveying techniques, the integration of microseismic technology into geothermal exploration could mark a transformative shift in how geothermal resources are identified and harnessed. If successfully developed, this method could reduce exploration risks and costs, making geothermal energy more accessible and scalable worldwide.

JOGMEC’s initiative underscores the increasing global emphasis on sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions for renewable energy development. By investing in cutting-edge technologies, Japan is not only advancing its domestic geothermal industry but also setting a precedent for other nations looking to maximize their geothermal potential.

For further details and to submit proposals, visit JOGMEC’s official website before the April 21, 2025 deadline here


Source:JOGMEC

Connect With Us:Alphaxioms

Comments

Post a Comment

Hot Topics 🔥

Eavor’s Geretsried Closed-Loop Geothermal Plant Now Powers the Grid

Eavor Technologies Achieves Historic Milestone: World’s First Commercial-Scale Closed-Loop Geothermal System Now Delivering Power in Geretsried, Germany Published: December 2025 By:  Robert Buluma The Day Geothermal Changed Forever On a crisp Bavarian morning in late 2025, a quiet revolution in clean energy officially went live.   Eavor Technologies Inc ., the Calgary-based pioneer of closed-loop geothermal technology, announced that its flagship commercial project in Geretsried, Germany has begun delivering power to the grid becoming the world’s first utility-scale multilateral closed-loop geothermal system to achieve commercial operation. For anyone who has followed the geothermal sector for the last decade, this is nothing short of seismic (pun intended). What Makes Eavor’s Closed-Loop System Truly Disruptive? Traditional geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot water reservoirs or enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that require hydraulic fracturing and massiv...
Post a Comment
Read more

Engie advances geothermal exploration for Réunion Island energy independence

Engie’s Geothermal Ambitions in Réunion Island: A Turning Point for Energy Independence in Volcanic Territories By: Robert Buluma In a world increasingly defined by the urgency of energy transition, remote island territories stand at the frontline of both vulnerability and opportunity. The recent move by to secure a geothermal exploration permit in marks more than just another project milestone—it signals a potential transformation in how isolated regions harness their natural resources to break free from fossil fuel dependency. This development, centered in the Cafres-Palmistes highlands, is not merely about drilling wells or building a power plant. It is about unlocking the immense geothermal promise hidden beneath volcanic landscapes, navigating environmental sensitivities, and setting a precedent for sustainable energy in island economies worldwide. A Strategic Foothold in Volcanic Terrain Réunion Island, located east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, is a geological marvel...
Post a Comment
Read more

Geothermal Energy Powers Next Generation Sustainable Data Centers

Geothermal Power Meets Data Centers in Strategic Shift By: Robert Buluma The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, and at the heart of this shift lies an unexpected but powerful convergence: geothermal energy and digital infrastructure . In a move that signals both ambition and foresight, Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) is preparing to expand beyond its traditional role as a power producer and enter the rapidly growing data center industry . This is not just another diversification strategy. It is a calculated leap into the future—one that aligns renewable energy with the insatiable demand for digital services. The implications are far-reaching, not only for Indonesia but for the global energy-tech nexus. A Bold Step Beyond Electricity For decades, geothermal companies have largely focused on one thing: generating electricity. PGEO , a subsidiary of Indonesia’s energy giant Pertamina, has been no exception. With a growing portfolio of geothermal assets and...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ormat raises concerns over Kenya Power payment delays

When Power Stalls: Payment Delays Threaten Kenya’s Geothermal Momentum By: Robert Buluma Kenya’s geothermal story has long been told as one of Africa’s most compelling energy success narratives—a nation that dared to dig deep into the Earth and emerged with a reliable, renewable backbone for its electricity grid. From the steaming plains of Olkaria to the ambitious expansions across the Rift Valley, geothermal has positioned Kenya as a continental leader in clean baseload power. But beneath this success lies a growing tension—one that could quietly undermine the very foundation of this progress. Recent signals from , one of Kenya’s key independent power producers, have cast a spotlight on a familiar yet dangerous challenge: delayed payments from . What may appear as a routine financial hiccup is, in reality, a warning sign with far-reaching implications for investment, energy security, and the future trajectory of geothermal development in Kenya. The Backbone of Kenya’s Energy System T...
Post a Comment
Read more

Star Energy Begins Lampung Geothermal Drilling, Unlocking Indonesia’s Potential

Star Energy’s Lampung Drilling Campaign: Indonesia’s Next Geothermal Frontier Awakens The ground beneath Lampung has waited long enough. For years, the Sekincau geothermal prospect in southern Sumatra existed as a promise—mapped, studied, debated, and cautiously anticipated. Beneath its surface lies a force that has powered civilizations in silence: geothermal energy. Now, that silence is about to be broken. In 2026, is preparing to initiate what could become one of the most consequential geothermal drilling campaigns in Indonesia’s recent history. The move signals more than just another exploration program—it marks a decisive step into Indonesia’s next geothermal frontier. This is not just drilling. This is ignition. The Sekincau Prospect: From Geological Promise to Strategic Reality Located in Lampung Province, the Sekincau geothermal field represents a classic greenfield opportunity—untapped, uncertain, and filled with both risk and transformative potential. Unlike brownfield expan...
Post a Comment
Read more

Daiwa Can Launches Offsite Corporate PPA with Kyuden, TEPCO

Geothermal Power Meets Corporate Demand: A New Era of Offsite PPA Decarbonization In a world racing toward decarbonization, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: renewable energy must not only be clean—it must also be reliable. While solar and wind have dominated the conversation for years, their intermittency continues to challenge industries that rely on uninterrupted power. Now, a groundbreaking development from Japan is redefining what corporate renewable energy procurement can look like, and at the center of it lies geothermal power. In April 2026, Daiwa Can Company, in partnership with Kyuden Mirai Energy and Tokyo Electric Power Company Energy Partner, launched an innovative offsite corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) powered by geothermal energy. This initiative is more than just a contract—it represents a paradigm shift in how industries can secure stable, low-carbon electricity while mitigating operational risks. The Rising Importance of Corporate PPAs Corporate ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BRIN and Geo Dipa Advance Modular Geothermal Wellhead Power

BRIN and Geo Dipa Pioneer Modular Wellhead Technology for Small-Scale Geothermal Power Revolution By: Robert Buluma Opening Perspective: A Quiet Revolution at the Wellhead Across Indonesia’s volcanic arc, geothermal energy has long been viewed through the lens of massive power stations—multi-well, multi-megawatt installations requiring years of development and heavy capital investment. But a quieter transformation is emerging. Instead of waiting years for large-scale geothermal plants, engineers and researchers are now asking a radical question: What if geothermal power could begin at the wellhead itself—small, fast, modular, and locally distributed? This is exactly the direction being taken by Indonesia’s national research agency BRIN in collaboration with state geothermal developer Geo Dipa Energi . Their joint effort to develop modular wellhead technology for small-scale geothermal power plants represents one of the most important shifts in geothermal development strategy in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ormat Raises $875 Million in Landmark Geothermal Financing Success

Ormat Raises $875 Million in Landmark Geothermal Financing Deal: Fueling the Next Era of Clean, Reliable Power By Alphaxioms Geothermal Insights | March 19, 2026 In a clear vote of confidence from institutional investors in the geothermal sector,  Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) has successfully priced an upsized $875 million offering of convertible senior notes. Announced on March 18, 2026, the deal consists of $725 million in 1.50% Series A notes and $150 million in 0.00% Series B notes, both due in 2031. The offering was increased from an initial $750 million target due to overwhelming demand, underscoring the growing appetite for established geothermal players amid surging electricity needs from AI data centers and the global energy transition. This isn't just another corporate financing round—it's a geothermal milestone. Ormat , a vertically integrated leader in geothermal power with over six decades of experience, is using the capital to refinance older debt, repur...
Post a Comment
Read more

Oil Giant Goes Deep for Clean Heat: Occidental Drills 4 Miles Underground in Colorado – Fastest Superduper Geothermal Well Yet

The Quiet Revolution Underground: How an Oil Giant Drilled 4 Miles Deep for Geothermal Heat And What It Means for the Future of Clean Energy By:  Robert Buluma  Date:March 6, 2026 Imagine this: In the flat, oil-soaked plains of Weld County, Colorado—where drilling rigs have long been synonymous with fossil fuels—a massive rig rises quietly last spring. No fanfare, no press releases blasting headlines. Just Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) , the oil behemoth better known for pumping black gold, sinking twin boreholes nearly four miles (about 20,000 feet) into the Earth. Not for oil or gas this time—but for something far more revolutionary: limitless, carbon-free heat from the planet's depths. Completed in under six weeks starting April 2025, this secretive project—dubbed GLADE (Geothermal Limitless Approach to Drilling Efficiencies)—has sent ripples through the geothermal world. Backed by a $9 million U.S. Department of Energy grant from 2022, GLADE wasn't about extracting hydrocarb...
Post a Comment
Read more

Geo POWER Act Accelerates Next-Generation Geothermal Deployment Nationwide

  Geo POWER Act Ignites a New Era for Next-Generation Geothermal Energy in the United States By: Robert Buluma The global energy transition is no longer a distant ambition—it is a rapidly unfolding reality. Across continents, nations are racing to secure reliable, clean, and scalable energy sources capable of sustaining economic growth while addressing climate imperatives. In this high-stakes transformation, geothermal energy—long considered a niche player—is now stepping into the spotlight. And in the United States, a powerful legislative push is accelerating that shift. The recent introduction of the Geothermal Power Opportunity with Expanded Regions (Geo POWER) Act (H.R. 8437) in the U.S. House of Representatives marks a defining moment for the future of geothermal energy. Championed by Representatives Nick Begich (R-AK) and Susie Lee (D-NV), the bill reflects a growing bipartisan consensus: geothermal energy—particularly next-generation systems—must play a central role in Amer...
Post a Comment
Read more