Deep Sea Water Research Institute
沖縄県海洋深層水研究所
The Okinawa Prefectural Deep Sea Water Research Institute is located in the Maja district of Kumejima. North of Kumejima the sea bed drops away
several hundred meters creating a unique opportunity to study deep sea water, its uses, and properties without having to travel into open water. Using a series of pipes, the institute is able to bring the cold, mineral rich water onto Kume Island for study. Though the Institute has only been operating for a few years, they have already found a number of uses for the rich mineral water, which is being used in a number of local industries. The institute maintains a number of active experiments while aslo coordinating with other research stations and projects around the world. In 2013, an OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) Power Plant was completed on the institute grounds to study the use of deep sea water in clean energy production. While the facility is not open to the general public, there is an information and tourist shop next door that features many products developed from Kumejima's Deep Sea Institute. Stop by to see live specimines, sample products, and relax in a cool environment.Agriculture
Aquaculture
With diminishing wild fish populations, growing human populations, and millions still hungry around the world, it is critical that countries develop ways to create healthier and sustainable food resources. The Deep Sea Water Research Institute is also focusing on finding ways to use mineral rich deep sea water in the cultivation of edible marine species. As you might expect, minerals eventually drift towards the bottom of the sea. Unfortunately, the depth and coldness of the waters prevent many species from naturally living in those environments. By introducing new species to the mineral rich waters, the institute can study the effects and find beneficial ways to promote growth an health in potential food sources.OTEC
Visit the new OTEC Okinawa website for more information on OTEC on Kume Island or to make a tour reservation!
OTEC is an acronymn for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or in simpler terms: a way of harnessing the difference in sea temperature between surface and deep water to turn a power-generating turbine. The OTEC plant on Kumejima was built under guidance from Saga University and the Institute of Ocean Energy. It is the only fully operational OTEC facility in the world. The OTEC plant takes in warm(er) surface sea water as well as cold deep sea water from the Research Institute. The sea water is used to cool and heat a working fluid in a closed system to drive a trubine. The only major by-product of the process is cold, mineral rich water that can be used in other industries. The OTEC power plant produced its first electricity in March of 2013. Researchers utlize the new building to study better ways of creating clean energy and demonstrate its technology. On June 16, 2013 the Okinawa Government and other interested parties celebrated the initialization power generation with a ceremony and reception at the Research Institute.