Think the Earth

On March 30, the "Tokyo Wave Power Initiative" published its report and proposal for promoting the adoption of wave power generation.

Wave power generation uses undulation of the waves to create energy. Currently, the world is beginning to recognize waves as a promising renewable energy source, and various supportive measures are being formulated for the development and implementation of wave power generation. Especially, in Europe and the United States approximately 100 projects are underway and the technology is becoming increasingly viable.

On the other hand, although Japan boasts the world's 6th exclusive economic zone (EEZ +territorial waters) and it has ample oceanic energy resources here, wave power generation has yet to be recognized as a "new energy" source. That is why currently there are no national support measures and implementation is at a standstill.

Now in July 2009, the city of Tokyo established an intra industry-government-academia study panel, the Tokyo Wave Power Initiative, to look into the possibilities of using wave power generation.

According to the report just published, the potential power that can be generated by waves in Japan amounts to 300-400 billion kilowatts, and if even 3% of this is used, more than 30 million kilowatts of power generated by waves can be made available for use. Since Japan has lagged behind the U.S. and Europe with respect to wave power generation, it will be difficult for Japan to develop its own technology. But by implementing the latest technology developed by the West, Japan will be able to implement more than 300,000 kilowatts of power by 2020, and 20-30 million kilowatts by 2030.

In order to make this a reality, the Tokyo Wave Power Initiative proposes the following:
 Legally recognize wave power generation as a national policy, i.e. add it as a new energy source, and work on development and implementation.
 Consider verification tests and pilot projects.
 In the future, include wave power generation as part of the Feed-in Tariff.
The Tokyo Wave Power Initiative is planning to conduct a verification test in FY2010 if situation allows. Will Japan, who is said to be behind by a decade, be able to catch up? Government policies that make use of Japan's resources and technologies are in great need.