平成26年10月30日・31日の2日間にわたり、第1回再生可能エネルギーワークショップが、ここ久米島町で開催されました。
このワークショップは、(独)新エネルギー・産業技術総合開発機構（NEDO）主催のもと、経済産業省、米国エネルギー省、沖縄県、ハワイ州の4者が、クリーンエネルギー発展と実施のための覚書の締結等、クリーンエネルギー協力が進む沖縄県とハワイにおいて開催することを目指しており、その第1回目が沖縄県久米島町で行われることとなりました。
For the Past Several years alternating conferences Have taken place on Kume Island and Hawaii, focusing on Renewable energy Development. 2014 marked the Fifth year of THESE conferences with a new theme hosted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization ( NEDO ) and Taking place on Kume Island . The two-Day First Renewable Energy Workshop focused on Bringing Japanese and US companies and Government Together to Talk About the Potential for cooperation in Renewable energy fields.
1日目 平成26年10月30日（木）
Day 1 – October 30, 2014
主催者のNEDO新エネルギー部 渡邊統括主幹 、共催者の沖縄県 玉城産業振興統括官、来賓の在沖米国総領事館 Jennifer Nichols主席領事、久米島町 大田町長のあいさつの後、日米の再生可能エネルギーの取組状況について、渡邊氏とNichols氏より報告がありました。
また午後は、再生可能エネルギー（PV、風力、BIO他）及び系統技術セッションが行われ、日本サイドからは沖縄電力㈱、㈱沖創工、㈲沖縄小堀電機、㈱アイ・シー・エスの4企業、米国サイドからハワイ大学、Ter Viva.Inc、US Navy Ashore Renewable Energy Program（公的機関）、ハワイ郡政府の4機関がプレゼンテーションを行い、その後SEEDSとNEEDSをマッチングさせるためのビジネスセッションに移りました。
The first day of the workshop kicked off at 13:00 with speeches and welcomes from the host NEDO and co-host Okinawa Prefecture. Guest speakers from the American Consulate General in Naha, Kumejima Town Mayor Haruo Ota, and Dennis Teranishi from PICHTR spoke as well.
Covering the current status of renewable energy in Japan and the United States were representatives from NEDO and the US Department of Energy. After a break, the second session was a chance for businesses and organizations to showcase their progress in developing renewable energy including PV, wind , Grid, and other factors, followed by an open discussion and matching for potential future cooperation.
2日目 平成26年10月31日（金）
Day 2 – October 31, 2014
米国からPICHTRのDennis Y.Teranishi President ＆ CEOによる「PICHTR’s Clean Energy Innvation Programs to Support Japan and Hawaii」、日本から佐賀大学の池上康之教授による「佐賀大学における海洋エネルギー開発の取り組み」と題した特別公演がありました。
その後、再び日米によるビジネスセッションが行われました。再生可能エネルギー関連では、日本の4社（㈱ゼネシス、㈱神戸製鋼所、ジャパンマリンユナイテッド㈱、㈱IHI）、米国の1機関、1社（NELHA、MakaiOceanEngneering）、周辺技術関連では、日本の1機関、2社（沖縄県海洋深層水研究所、㈱ポイントピュール、久米島海洋深層水開発㈱）が、各々の技術についてプレゼン後、活発な意見が交わされました。
The second day of the workshop kicked off with special lectures by Mr. Teranishi of PICHTER and Professor Ikegami of Saga University as they shared current efforts to develop clean energy around the Pacific.
The afternoon offered a chance for Japanese and US businesses to share clean energy technologies and talk about ways of working together. On the Japan side, Xenesys Inc spoke about the development of heat exchangers and the OTEC facility on Kume Island, Kobe Steel presented on their specially designed titanium plating for increase heat transfer, as well as their research into improved cooling exchangers as well, Japan Marine United spoke on their floating structures, and finally IHI presented on their tidal energy work. 
For the US side both Makai Ocean Engineering and the County of Hawaii presented on the multiple opportunities for new research and growth at NELHA. We were happy to hear Makai confirm that they have received delivery of their 105kW turbine and plan to connect to the grid in the first part of next year. We congratulate them on their efforts and look forward to continued development and distribution of demonstration facilities. Both sides also discussed the possibility of working together to ensure OTEC continues to scale up, with several intriguing ideas that are encouraging for the future.
閉会後は、海洋温度差発電実証設備や佐賀大学の淡水化装置、海洋深層水研究所、クルマエビ養殖場等の視察見学が行われて全工程が終了しました。この2日間は、多くの機関、人、情報が交流することで、海洋エネルギー等再生可能エネルギーが、日米で今後ますます発展、実用化に向けて進んでいくための重要な機会となりました。
Finally, several of the local businesses using deep sea water on Kume Island presented about how they use deep sea water to create their important segment of the local economy.
With the end of the conference, visitors were invited to tour the operational OTEC facility on Kume Island and the many industries using deep sea water. Saga University’s Institute of Ocean Energy’s new satellite desalination demonstrator was also in operation to show how new techniques can harness the benefits of OTEC power and raw seawater to create clean drinking water at relatively low cost. This desalination project is the first time water from the OTEC facility on Kume Island is being used directly. One of the main tenants of the Kumejima Model is to increase economic efficiency by utilizing the benefits of Deep Seawater to their full potential. With continued research, support, and new projects such as the IOES desalination facility the future looks bright.
久米島－ハワイ郡 姉妹都市提携3周年記念 歓迎交流会
The Third Sister City Agreement Celebration
ワークショップ終了後の夕方、来日したハワイの関係者が久米島町民と一緒に、姉妹都市提携3周年記念の交流会を行いました。
歌あり踊りありのにぎやかな場となり、また恒例の「友好の泡盛」と銘打った古酒の仕込み式も行われ、来年の再会を楽しみにしながら交流を深めました。
One of the highlights of the yearly meeting between Hawaii County and Kume Island is the celebration of the Sister City Agreement signed three years ago. At the end of the conference, Kume Island Town hosted a reception for delegates and local townspeople to celebrate the development of close relations including a yearly educational exchange between high school students. Local group performed with foods highlighting the numerous delicacies created with deep seawater.
One of the driving forces behind the agreement and development of OTEC both in Hawaii and Japan was Guy Toyama, an activist that visited prior to the approval of the OTEC facility on Kumejima. Guy died suddenly during a marathon in 2012, and many people in Japan miss him. We were honored his wife Rika Toyama visited with the delegation from Hawaii and participated in both the workshop and reception. It meant a lot for many of the participants to be able to meet her and share their memories of Guy. We hope these workshops will continue to ensure Guy’s dream of large scale OTEC is realized and so that OTEC is developed with international understanding and support.