Nittetsu Mining Consultants Co., Ltd. - Japan
Author Profile
SCOPUS
🎓 Early academic pursuits
Norifumi Todaka began his journey in the earth sciences with a strong foundation in geology. he earned his bachelor of science in geology from waseda university in 1979, followed by a master's degree in mining geology in 1981, also from waseda. his early academic work laid the groundwork for a lifelong pursuit of innovative approaches in geothermal energy, geochemical modeling, and subsurface engineering—fields where the integration of power electronics has become increasingly vital in modern energy infrastructure.
💼 Professional endeavors
Todaka’s career spans more than four decades of dedication to geothermal and geochemical sciences. starting in 1981, he joined the geothermal engineering office at electric power development co., ltd., where he held various leadership roles until 2016. notable periods include his secondment to the power reactor and nuclear fuel development corporation (1996–1998) for the mizunami url project, and leadership roles at japan ccs company (2008–2010), where he headed the tomakomai ccs project. from 2016 to 2025, he served as director of the geothermal department at nittetsu mining consultants co., ltd., and in 2025, he established the todaka geothermal consulting office (p.e. jp).
🔬 Contributions and research focus
Todaka has significantly contributed to the development of geothermal resources in japan, including major involvement with the onikobe geothermal power plant. his research spans key themes such as geological storage of high-level nuclear waste, mineral co2 sequestration, and supercritical geothermal systems. recently, his focus has turned toward understanding Geothermal geology and geochemistry the formation and distribution of acidic fluids in geothermal areas through chemical equilibrium modeling using solveq-chim and reactive transport modeling using toughreact. his interdisciplinary approach, increasingly linked with power electronics in geothermal technologies, has set benchmarks for sustainable and efficient resource utilization.
🌍 Impact and influence
Norifumi Todaka’s work has had a profound impact on japan’s geothermal strategy and beyond. his technical leadership has informed policy decisions, project execution, and long-term Geothermal geology and geochemistry planning across various national-level projects. his integration of modeling techniques with practical field applications serves as a reference point in geothermal engineering. moreover, his cross-sector experience—including contributions to nuclear waste management and carbon capture—demonstrates a holistic understanding of subsurface processes where the application of power electronics continues to evolve in optimizing geothermal systems.
📚 Academic cites and collaborations
Todaka’s research has been widely cited in academic journals, technical bulletins, and institutional reports within the geosciences and renewable energy communities. his collaboration with researchers and engineers through the electric power development co., ltd., japan ccs, and nittetsu mining consultants, has led to numerous contributions that are used as case studies in geothermal development, reactive transport simulation, and environmental impact analysis.
🌱 Legacy and future contributions
With the establishment of todaka geothermal consulting office, norifumi todaka continues to share his expertise with emerging geothermal projects, academic institutions, and energy consultancies. his legacy is marked by a blend of hands-on fieldwork, pioneering modeling techniques, and thought leadership in energy sustainability. he remains an inspiration to geoscientists and energy professionals aiming to bridge traditional geoscience with modern innovations such as digital monitoring, simulation tools, and integration of power electronics for smart energy systems.
Notable Publications
Title: Several Considerations on Well Treatment in a Numerical Model for Single-Well Push-Pull Tests in Carbon Dioxide Injection Simulation
Author(s): Kenji Sasaki, Norifumi Todaka, Shigetaka Nakanishi, Chitoshi Akasaka, Yoshinobu Nishimoto
Journal: [No source/journal information available]