Title: Realize 100% Renewable Energy in Low-Latitude Pacific Ocean by Sailing Mega-Solar Raft Project
Abstract:
A global energy project is proposed in order to switch future human energy to 100% renewable by utilizing rich solar energy in the low-latitude Pacific Ocean as the last natural energy frontier. For that goal, a wind-sailing Mega-Solar-Raft with its ultimate area of 25 km2 is to be developed to generate huge electricity equivalent to a 1 GW nuclear power station by vast solar modules covering the raft. Solar energy density 8 kWh/m2, 2~3 times higher than that in medium latitude countries, is targeted as the MSRs navigate vast open seas in the low-latitude Pacific Ocean, where rich sunshine, favorable winds/waves and almost zero risk of tropical storms are available. The generated electricity is transformed to H2-gas or other chemicals or directly charged to huge number of standardized battery packages of electric vehicles and periodically shuttled by ships. Three major technological breakthroughs for the system are flexible solar module integrated with sail cloths, efficient energy transportation and low-cost rafts. Associated technologies and costs are estimated, which reveals that the target cost of solar modules for this energy system is attainable as well as major technological challenges to realize better feasibility.
https://kokasahi.com/koktak/realize-100-renewable-energy-in-low-latitude-pacific-ocean-282
Biography:
KOKUSHO, Takaji; PhD (Dr. Eng.), Registered Engineer.
Professor, Emeritus, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan, since 2015.
PhD. (Doctor of Engineering) from the University of Tokyo,
"Dynamic soil properties and nonlinear seismic response of ground" in 1982.
MS Degree from Duke University USA in 1975.
MS Degree from the University of Tokyo in 1969.
BS Degree from the University of Tokyo in 1967.
Research topics:
1. Dynamic soil properties and their evaluation
2. Dynamic response of ground
3. Liquefaction of sand/gravelly fines-containing sands
4. Earthquake-induced slope failure
5. Siting technology of energy facilities
Academic society activities:
1. Ishihara Lecturer at 6th International Conference on Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering (Christchurch) (2015)
2. Chairman of TC4 (Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering), ISSMGE (2005-2009)
3. Chairman of Organizing Committee of IS-2009 Tokyo by TC4, ISSMGE (2009)
4. Chairman of Asian Technical Committee No.3 (ATC3-Geotechnology for Natural Hazards) of ISSMGE (1998-2005)
Awards:
1. Research paper Award from Japanese Geotechnical Society (2020, 2017, 2014)
2. Research paper Award from Japan Society for Civil Engineers (2005)
3. Distinguished Technology Award from Japanese Geotechnical Society (1984)
4. Research Encouragement Award from Japan Society for Civil Engineers (1980)
Publications in English
1. Innovative Earthquake Soil Dynamics (2017): CRC Press, London.
2. Performance-Based Design in Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering - from Case History to Practice-
edited and written (2009): CRC Press, London.
3. Earthquake Geotechnical Case Histories for Performance-Based Design: edited and written (2009): CRC Press, London.
Kokusho, T., Emoto, E. and Kato, T. (2013): Sailing solar cell raft project and weather and marine conditions in low-latitude Pacific Ocean, Journal of Energy Engineering, ASCE, 139(1), 2–7.
