An 11-member delegation of scientists and industry officials from Japan, including the president of Hirosaki University, are at the University of Maine September 16 to 18 for the second Marine Energy International Symposium.
UMaine President Paul Ferguson and Hirosaki University President Kei Sato have opened the symposium, designed to be a collaborative exchange between researchers in the Maine Tidal Power Initiative, based at UMaine, and various Japanese institutions.
Also expected to be on hand are U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, and representatives from the Governor’s Office and Ocean Renewable Power Company.
Highlights of the three-day visit include a presentation by Tetsuo Yuhara, research director of the Tokyo-based Canon Institute for Global Studies, focusing on Japan’s marine energy development; and UMaine and other researchers of the Maine Tidal Power Initiative, including director Michael Peterson, discussing the status of ocean energy development in the state.
The Japanese delegation also is expected to travel to Eastport to visit Ocean Renewable Power Company’s generation site.
Last year, the first symposium involved several UMaine researchers traveling to Japan to discuss tidal power development and potential research opportunities in Maine and Aomori Prefecture. Maine and the prefecture have similar geography, climate and industrial structure, and a common interest in ocean energy development.
In addition to research collaboration, symposium participants are exploring the potential of student exchange programs involving ocean renewable energy research.
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Press release, September 17, 2013