Learn About Oceanic Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
【For Observation Tours】

Contact for observation tour reservations and more here

Contact：Institute of SAGA Energy Tourism Promotion Council
Phone ：0955-82-2811 (NPO Karatsu & Genkai Tourism Exchange Department)

Warm Surface Ocean Layer

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a form of renewable energy power generation that uses the temperature difference between warm seawater in the surface layer and cold seawater in the deep layer, which is heated by the heat energy from the sun. Due to the low temperature of the available ocean, a medium with a low boiling point (ammonia or CFC substitutes) is used as the working fluid to drive the turbine generator. Since the water temperature does not change dramatically throughout the year, power can be generated stably and the amount of power generated can be easily predicted, making it possible to produce power in a planned manner. Source: Okinawa Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Test Facility Homepage

Observation Tour

Saga University Institute of Ocean Energy Imari Satellite

The Imari Satellite of the Institute of Ocean Energy was relocated from the former satellite located in Kurokawa-cho, Imari-shi to the current one in Yamashiro-cho, Imari-shi in March 2003. The Imari Satellite consists of an experiment building and a research building, with a total building area of 4,500m², three-story steel-frame building, and a site area of approximately 10,000m². It promises to become one of the world's leading research satellite facilities with a total construction cost of approximately 4.5 billion yen.

Address: Saga-ken, Imari-shi, Yamashiro-cho Kubara-aza Hirao 1-48

Point

See and learn about different OTEC facilities in a 90-minute tour, including an ocean thermal energy conversion device that can only be seen here,

Observation Tour

Saga University Institute of Ocean Energy Ureshino Experiment Center

The Ureshino Experiment Center is currently researching a hybrid hot spring thermo-controlled power generation system using hot spring water, based on reserach of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) using seawater. The system generates electricity from hot spring water (approx. 95°C) before it is used for bathing in Ureshino City, and is expected to reduce the impact of hot spring water on power generation equipment and reduce the amount of cooling water required for power generation. The system will contribute to Saga Prefecture's goal of becoming an "advanced renewable energy prefecture" that contributes to in-prefecture development technology in the renewable energy field and to the spread of renewable energies.

Address: Saga-ken, Ureshino-shi, Ureshino-cho Oaza Shimojuku 2172

Point

You can visit the new hot spring binary power generation system that uses bathing onsen water from Saga.

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