There’s an abundant source of power beneath the seas that’s unlike any other. To tap into it and in an attempt to obtain endless renewable energy, Japan is dropping a gigantic 330-ton turbine power generator onto the ocean floor just off the country’s coast. This beast is capable of withstanding the most powerful ocean currents and converting its flow into an unlimited supply of electricity. Kairyu is the name given to the 330-ton prototype, which roughly translates to “ocean current”. It had a 20-metre-long fuselage flanked by two cylinders of equal size, each holding a power generation system connected to an 11-metre-long turbine blade. [1]

Figure 1. Japan Is Dropping a Deep-Sea Turbine to Harness the Power of Ocean Currents

Figure 1 shows Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (now known as IHI Corporation) has been experimenting with the technology for over a decade. In 2017, it partnered with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to test their concept.

The Tokyo-based engineering firm completed a three-and-a-half-year test of the underwater Kairyu turbine in the waters of southwestern Japan in February 2022. It is expected to be operational sometime in the 2030s. The device can position itself to locate the best location, generate electricity through the push of deep water currents, and feed it into the grid when it is anchored to the seafloor via anchor lines and power cables. [2]

To generate a substantial portion of its power, Japan is significantly reliant on fossil fuel imports. The country has huge tracts of coastline sea. The ocean swirls to the east under the power of the North Pacific gyre. When the gyre meets Japan, it forms the Kuroshio current, which is a relatively strong current. IHI estimates that if the energy in the current could be harnessed, it could generate roughly 205 gigawatts of electricity, which is comparable to the country's current power-producing capacity. [3]

To generate a substantial portion of its power, Japan is significantly reliant on fossil fuel imports. The country has huge tracts of coastline sea. The ocean swirls to the east under the power of the North Pacific gyre. When the gyre meets Japan, it forms the Kuroshio current, which is a relatively strong current. IHI estimates that if the energy in the current could be harnessed, it could generate roughly 205 gigawatts of electricity, which is comparable to the country's current power-producing capacity. [3]

In spite of huge interest in this relatively under-utilized reserve of renewable energy, attempts to wring watts out of the tides, waves, and currents of the open ocean typically end in failure. High engineering costs, environmental limitations, proximity of coastal areas to the grid … all manner of challenges need to be overcome to see projects like this through.

If IHI Corp. can overcome them, there are kaiju-sized benefits to reap, with ocean power potentially providing anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of Japan's energy needs.

With advances in materials science and a better understanding of the marine environment, somebody is bound to overcome the litany of problems to harness the ocean's vast supply of energy.

References:

1. https://m.thelocalreport.in/japan-is-dropping-a-deep-sea-turbine-to-harness-the-power-of-ocean-currents/
2. https://www.technologyshout.com/japan-is-dropping-deep-sea-turbines-to-harness-the-power-of-ocean-currents/
3. https://gadgets360.com/science/news/japan-dropping-deep-sea-turbine-ocean-currents-harness-energy-power-3054904
4. https://www.sciencealert.com/japan-s-dropping-a-kaiju-sized-turbine-into-the-ocean-to-fish-for-limitless-energy

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Japan Is Dropping a Deep-Sea Turbine to Harness the Power of Ocean Currents, Anatechmaz, pp.85