JAPANESE SCIENTISTS DEVELOP SAILING VESSELS TO HARNESS CLEAN ENERGY FROM TYPHOONS

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Japanese scientists are developing advanced typhoon-powered generation vessels capable of harnessing electricity from intense storms — a breakthrough that could mark a new milestone in offshore renewable energy.

Researchers at the Typhoon Science and Technology Research Centre (TRC) at Yokohama National University are testing an unmanned sailing vessel designed specifically to capture energy from super typhoons.

The destructive typhoons that frequently batter countries such as Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam — disrupting lives and economies — could one day become a powerful source of clean energy if scientists overcome the technological challenges involved in deploying these vessels.

“At TRC, we are working on an unmanned sailing vessel that uses typhoon winds for propulsion while simultaneously generating electricity through an underwater screw turbine. 

“Our research has so far demonstrated the concept at a laboratory scale, and several more steps will be required before it can reach a practical or commercial level,” TRC’s Associate Professor Taiga Mitsuyuki told Bernama from Yokohama.

For decades, scientists around the world have been attempting to tame fierce typhoons and harness strong winds for energy, that could open a new dimension in renewable energy production from nature.

Japanese scientists have been pioneering efforts to harness energy from super typhoons for decades. Several Japanese companies have also joined the initative, playing a key role in advancing this complex technology.

The TyphoonShot vessel model generates power using sails that trap crosswinds within navigable areas under the typhoon and follow the storm’s movement.

Electricity is generated and stored in the sailing ship by turning screw turbine propellers under the sea.

The stored electricity is then transmitted to land by ship.

“We are pursuing an overarching initiative at TRC called the Typhoonshot Project, which has two major objectives – typhoon control and typhoon power generation. 

“Engineers and meteorologists are now working together to explore ways of harvesting energy from typhoons, and the fundamental concept has already been demonstrated at the laboratory scale. 

“However, moving toward practical implementation will require broader collaboration, not only within Japan but across the entire East and Southeast Asian region, where typhoons have a significant impact every year,” said Taiga.

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is vulnerable to natural disasters, experiencing around 26 typhoons annually.  

Across Southeast Asia, countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam are routinely struck by these tropical storms. 

This year alone, at least 22 typhoons slammed the Philippines with strong winds and torrential rains, causing massive damage to lives, properties and infrastructures.   

TRC's technological breakthrough offers the potential to strengthen energy security at a time when the world is seeking cleaner energy sources — and may even help shift the long-held negative perception of typhoons. 

According to TRC’s studies, deploying 100 typhoon power-generation ships (TPG-ships) could generate electricity equivalent to about three per cent of Japan’s annual power consumption, said Taiga.

“At first glance, three per cent may seem modest, but in the context of Japan’s current renewable energy portfolio, it is actually a highly meaningful and realistic figure. 

“Moreover, shifting from fixed wind turbines to a mobile generation system represents a fundamentally new value, one that cannot be evaluated by power output alone,” he said.

--  BERNAMA