Tag Archive Tech
New Horizons for Clean Power Generation in Japan
The post-Fukushima shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors and subsequent demand for energy self-sufficiency due to costly fuel imports, coupled with the Japanese government’s ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2020, have stimulated growth in new renewable energy sources in the country.
Currently, renewable power accounts for approximately 15% of total electricity generation in Japan, while hydro and solar power occupy a combined 12% share, aided by attractive government subsidies for these technologies.
Although the government has been proactive in recent initiatives to identify and promote potential areas for exploration and development of geothermal power, there has not been any significant development of the technology in the country in the last decade.
In fact, a new whitepaper by Frost & Sullivan underlines that geothermal power contributes a meagre 0.3% to total electricity generation, despite the country possessing the third largest geothermal resource in the world, representing a power generation potential of 23 GW.
While development of the technology at medium and high temperatures is characterised by stagnation, increased investment and technological innovation targeting low-temperature geothermal power (<120?C), historically used primarily for heating purposes, are expected to significantly increase the addressable market potential for geothermal power.
Commenting on this new growth market, Ross Bruton, Programme Manager & Principal for Smart Energy Systems at Frost & Sullivan, emphasised that harnessing the potential offered by low-temperature geothermal power will help achieve Japan's power security and emission reduction goals.
The advent of technological innovations is significantly increasing system performance and cost efficiencies at low temperatures, set to boost uptake levels. Mr Bruton commented: "Additional drivers include multi-application benefits for hot spring (onsen) owners, attractive feed-in-tariffs and grant financing offered by government, relaxation of development restrictions in national parks, and a lack of environmental assessment requirements for small scale geothermal power."
"These drivers, combined with improved cooperation at the community level, is expected to set up low-temperature geothermal power as a potential game-changer in the exploitation of the country's geothermal potential, and marks a contributory step towards the establishment of a stable, low-emission power industry in Japan," he added.
Japan's domestic energy crisis is opening up interesting opportunities for foreign companies to contribute to the national geothermal portfolio. However, companies will need to compete against well-established alternative technologies, such as solar photovoltaic, to gain a foothold in the market.
Utham Ganesh, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, points out that "building strong local and community relations represents a key success criterion for project development, due to the strong cultural values attached to hot springs in the country and the resistance shown for fear of environmental impact."
For further insights into the potential of low-temperature geothermal energy in Japan, read the full whitepaper "Japan Onsen Power – New Horizons for Clean Power Generation from Low-Temperature Geothermal Energy" online and download your complimentary copy here.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion
For further information, please contact:
Kristina Menzefricke
Corporate Communications – Frost & Sullivan, Europe
P: +44 (0)208 996 8589
E: kristina.menzefricke@frost.com
http://www.frost.com
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Related Links
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Digimarc Recognized as Technology Leader
Today Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC), inventor of the Digimarc Discover? platform featuring the imperceptible Digimarc Barcode, announced the company has been recognized for driving innovative solutions into the retail sector. Digimarc is named by ABI Research as a Smart Retail Hot Tech Innovator for 2017. The company was also recognized in IEEE Spectrum for its intellectual property, ranking third for its patent portfolio in the computer software category behind only Microsoft and VMWare, and ahead of software powerhouses including Adobe, Citrix, Oracle, SAP and Symantec.
“Our vision is to enrich everyday living through our patented technologies and applications such as Digimarc Barcode,” said Bruce Davis, chief executive officer, Digimarc. “We have a long tradition of technology innovation and a computing platform that enables future application development and growth by our customers and partners. It’s gratifying to see this recognition of our industry-leading innovation.”
ABI Research identified solutions and innovative companies that are enabling a retail revolution. According to the firm, the selection criteria for “retail hot tech innovators” identified the companies that are the fastest growing in the retail technology industry based on the number of implementations internationally, and the amount of funds raised from capital investors that will continue to fuel their growth.
In “Patent Power 2017,” IEEE Spectrum reports on intellectual property from leading companies. Its Pipeline Power rating ranks patent portfolios by number of U.S. patents granted in the most recent full year (2016) and quality, as measured by statistical assessment of important qualities such as growth, impact, originality and general applicability.
Additional information about Digimarc Barcode can be viewed here.
About Digimarc
Digimarc Corporation (NASDAQ: DMRC) is a pioneer in the automatic identification of everyday objects such as product packaging and virtually any media, including print, images and audio. Based on the patented Intuitive Computing Platform (ICPT), Digimarc provides innovative and comprehensive automatic recognition technologies to simplify search, and transform information discovery through unparalleled reliability, efficiency and security. Digimarc has a global patent portfolio, which includes over 1,100 granted and pending patents. These innovations include state-of-the-art identification technology, Digimarc Barcode, as well as Digimarc Discover? software for barcode scanning and more. Digimarc is based in Beaverton, Oregon, with technologies deployed by major retailers and consumer brands, central banks, U.S. states, film companies and professional sports franchises, among others. Visit digimarc.com and follow us @digimarc to learn more about The Barcode of EverythingT.
SOURCE Digimarc Corporation