Japan
Delegate:
Dr. Yasuyuki Ikegami , Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University.
Alternate: Dr. Shuichi Nagata, Institute of Ocean Energy
The summary in this section was provided by Yasuyuki Ikegami, Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University.
Solar and wind energy have received considerable interest from the Japanese government while less emphasis has been placed on the other renewable energy resources, such as ocean energy. However, in recent years, ocean energy has begun to receive increasing interest and several projects have been established for the promotion of ocean energy resources. The Japanese islands are surrounded by the ocean; hence Japan has higher potential for utilizing the various sources of ocean energy, such as waves, tidal range and tidal currents, ocean thermal energy, etc.
Many research projects on the development and optimization of various ocean energy systems have been conducted, although most of these were conducted, using a laboratory scale experimental setups.
Therefore, new initiatives are required to implementation of these research results in full-scale plants and real sea conditions to obtain more realistic results that pave the way towards the commercialization of the ocean energy systems. For this purpose, a plan called “Ocean Energy Technological Development Research” was established in 2011. The plan lasts for 5 years and aims to promote ocean renewable energy research projects in Japan.
Ocean Energy Policy
Strategy and National Targets
According to the “Basic Plan on Ocean Policy” which complies with the law of “Basic Act on Ocean Policy” enforced in July 2007, promotion of research on ocean energy will be focused on feasibility studies, performance and economic improvement of the technologies used in exploiting the various types of ocean energy. Similarly, a project under the title “Ocean Energy Technological Research And Development” was started in 2011. This project is part of the “Basic Energy Plan”, which comes in accordance with the law of “Basic Act on Energy Policy”.
Relevant Legislation and Regulation
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Basic Act on Energy Policy, including the Basic Energy Plan approved by the Cabinet, June 2010
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Basic Act on Ocean Policy, Basic Plan on Ocean Policy approved by the Cabinet, March 2008
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New Growth Strategy approved by the Cabinet, June 2010.
Relevant documents released
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Awareness of the ocean energy potential (2010)
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NEDO renewable energy technology white paper (2010)
Research & Development
Government-Funded R&D
The “Ocean energy technological research and development” has a total budget of approximately 7.8 billion yen for the years 2011 - 2015.
One Billion yen research project was established at NEDO in 2011 under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to promote the actual use and commercialization of each ocean energy exploitation system, particularly focusing on wave power, tidal power and ocean thermal energy conversion; in addition to fundamental research on ocean energy utilization systems.
Technology demonstration
New Developments
Multi-resonant OWC: JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-earth Science and Technology) is developing a multi-resonant oscillating water column (OWC) that uses a Project Wall to improve power generation efficiency. This equipment does not have machinery underwater.
Concept of Multi-resonant OWC wave energy converter
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Power Buoy: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding CO., LTD. and Akishima Laboratory (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. are developing Japanese Power Buoy in co-operation with Ocean Power Technologies Inc.
Gyroscopic wave power generation system (Gyrodynamics Corporation): The gyroscopic wave power generation system is a pure rotational mechanical system that does not use conventional air turbines and is housed on a unique floating platform (“float”). Its outstanding feature is that it utilizes the gyroscopic (spinning) effect. Sea trials of a 45-kW class prototype have been held offshore from the town of Susami in Wakayama Prefecture, where it generated 40 kW in 2.5 m wave height and 4.0 sec wave period condition.
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Tank Test of Power Buoys |
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Tidal Current
Tidal current projects are being conducted by:
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Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd
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University of Tokyo, IHI Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Mitsui Global Strategic Studies Institute
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West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co. Ltd. and Kyushu University
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Kitakyushu city administrative department and Kyushu Institute of Technology in Kanmon Straits
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Imabari city administrative department and Ehime University in Kurushima Straits.
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Kitami Institute of Technology in Saroma Lake.
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Experimental wave power generation system offshore from the town of Susami in Wakayama Prefecture |
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
A study of ocean thermal energy conversion is being conducted, using 30kW experimental plant at Saga University. In Kume Island of Okinawa, feasibility studies on the compound use of 1MW ocean thermal energy conversion were performed in 2011.
The Okinawa administrative department announced a plan to install a 24h/365day running 100 kW ocean thermal energy conversion experimental plant in Kume Island in 2012.
Salinity Gradient
Research and development on osmotic power is being carried out mainly at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Research is being carried out to develop new efficient membranes.
Related links
