Japan, U.S. to explore smart grid joint project in Okinawa, Hawaii

+

TOKYO, June 17 Kyodo -
Japan and the United States will explore a joint experimental project of a
next-generation ''smart grid'' power transmission network in Okinawa and Hawaii
as they have agreed to enhance cooperation over environmentally friendly
technologies, the Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said Thursday.
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.
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 how they can cooperate in the area of
developing clean energy technologies under a joint task force, which held its
first meeting in March.
The task force was set up in line with an agreement reached in November between
then Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and U.S. President Barack Obama.
The signing ceremony was attended by Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry
Minister Masayuki Naoshima, U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, Okinawa Gov.
Hirokazu Nakaima and Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle.
==Kyodo