## Sensors, Energy

# Energy saving by utilization of numerical ocean current forecast

Keyword: Environmental safeguards, Sustainable ocean development, Numerical ocean forecasting, Seeking a niche market

## Organizations Involved

O Toshio Yamagata, JAMSTEC / Professor, The University of Tokyo

O Dr. Yasumasa Miyazawa and Dr. Swadhin K. Behera, JAMSTEC

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK LINE), Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI)

○ Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (MIRI)

Toshio Yamagata,

President of

Forecast Ocean

Partnership (FOP)

## 【Abstract】

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has successfully developed an advanced simulation system predicting the ocean current variations in detail in Japan coastal region. Researchers of JAMSTEC and MIRI started a venture project named Forecast Ocean Partnership (FOP) on 24 May 2006 for promoting utilization of the ocean current forecast. FOP has been supported by JAMSTEC through the JAMSTEC venture framework since 1 June 2006.

## [Summary of the technology transfer]

## Technological Impact

JAMSTEC has developed a nowcast/forecast system of oceanic conditions based on initialization/prediction of an ocean general circulation model on a super computer using large amount of observation data obtained quickly from Global Earth Observation System of Systems via Internet. The JAMSTEC venture, FOP, are developing and operating tools for processing the ocean current information and a system for sending the processed data to customers through communication network such as web and E-mail.

## ●Social Impact

So far, the weather routing business, which provides shipping clues with necessary information about for saving of both fuel and shipping time, has not involve the component of the detailed ocean current information. Since the present JAMSTEC venture project achieves the supply of the detailed information of ocean current around the shipping routes to shipping clues, the business is very useful to cope with jump in oil prices. Also, it has active roles to contribute to control the global warming through the reduction in emissions of CO2 due to both the reduction of the shipping time and the saving of the fuel.

## Project Background

In FY2005, JAMSTEC and MTI, an affiliated company of NYK, have conducted a joint research project including actual proof experiments on ships to investigate necessary conditions for real use of the numerical ocean current information.

## Funding History

· JAMSTEC researchers and MIRI invested their moneys to establish FOP.

· FOP has been supported by JAMSTEC through permissions to use software, patent, and management office room.

## I ntellectual property protection

PATENT: domestic 46, International 8 "METHOD OF CORING CRUSTAL CORE SAMPLE, (A)"6695076B2 "Application patent: domestic93, International44 SIMULATOR SYSTEM

Trademark: 12

## An example of the business model

## I mage of the ocean current viewer

## Turning point in the Project

Key point was conducting the cooperative study with potential users of the numerical ocean current information at first because of requirement of advertising the usefulness of the new information to the shipping people.

For more information, contact : Noriyuki Yamashina, Reference Knowledge Infrastructure Division, Planning Department, JAMSTEC, +81-46-867-9246, chizai@jamstec.go.jp