Japan, US to explore joint project in Okinawa, Hawaii

Japan and the US will explore a joint experimental project of a next-generation “smart grid” power transmission network in Okinawa and Hawaii, the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said here.

Following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation the same day, a project-finding mission consisting of government officials and experts of both countries is expected to be sent in July or later to the Japanese southwestern prefecture of Okinawa as well as to Hawaii.

Okinawa and Hawaii are common in that the islands largely depend on fossil fuels, especially oil, and are eager to introduce renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, according to a METI official. Their climate conditions are also similar.

“We hope to create a clean energy model at remote islands and promote it to the world,” the official said on Thursday.

A smart grid, which uses information technology, is a power transmission and distribution network that aims to achieve stability of electricity supplied by fluctuating renewable energy.

The two countries have been discussing on how to cooperate in the area of developing clean energy technologies under a joint task force.

The task force was set up in line with an agreement reached in November between then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and US President Barack Obama.

The signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima, US Ambassador to Japan John Roos, Okinawa Gov Hirokazu Nakaima and Hawaii Gov Linda Lingle.