Japan is looking into new ways to power the country. Pictured here, a J-Power wind farm in Koriyama City.
Japan is looking into new ways to power the country. Pictured here, a J-Power wind farm in Koriyama City.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Inspired by the movement of a dolphin's fin, Professor Shintake from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology designed a submerged marine turbine to harness the energy of the Kuroshio Current along the Japanese coast.
'Dolphin fin' turbines —
Inspired by the movement of a dolphin's fin, Professor Shintake from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology designed a submerged marine turbine to harness the energy of the Kuroshio Current along the Japanese coast.
CNN
The design -- which is currently being tested from a boat -- is suitable for places prone to storms and typhoons.
'Dolphin fin' turbines —
The design -- which is currently being tested from a boat -- is suitable for places prone to storms and typhoons.
CNN
Professor Shintake estimates that if just 1% of the Japanese coastline were fitted with these turbines, it would generate around 10GW of electricity, roughly equal to the power of 10 nuclear reactors.
'Dolphin fin' turbines —
Professor Shintake estimates that if just 1% of the Japanese coastline were fitted with these turbines, it would generate around 10GW of electricity, roughly equal to the power of 10 nuclear reactors.
CNN
Japanese scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology are developing lightweight perovskite solar cells, made from a mix of organic and inorganic materials. The cells can be printed roll to roll like newsprint and used to cover almost any surface.<br />
Perovskite solar cells —
Japanese scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology are developing lightweight perovskite solar cells, made from a mix of organic and inorganic materials. The cells can be printed roll to roll like newsprint and used to cover almost any surface.
CNN
This special turbine, designed by Challenergy, spins on a vertical access, and can handle sudden changes in wind speed and direction, meaning it could withstand a typhoon.
Typhoon turbine —
This special turbine, designed by Challenergy, spins on a vertical access, and can handle sudden changes in wind speed and direction, meaning it could withstand a typhoon.
CNN
Instead of sucking hot water or steam from under the ground to create energy like most geothermal plants, this reactor designed by researchers from Kyoto University channels cold water deep into the earth to heat it, then brings it up to the surface again in order to generate electricity.<br />
New geothermal power system —
Instead of sucking hot water or steam from under the ground to create energy like most geothermal plants, this reactor designed by researchers from Kyoto University channels cold water deep into the earth to heat it, then brings it up to the surface again in order to generate electricity.
CNN