1. Purpose of Establishment

　To achieve the government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, a paradigm shift in the nation’s energy supply and demand structure is required. In particular, the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy is indispensable. Among these, wind energy is one of the most promising options, and with the announcement of the Offshore Wind Industry Vision (Phase 1) at the end of 2020, significant expansion of offshore wind power projects in Japan is anticipated. However, compared with leading wind energy countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, Japan lacks a core research institution responsible for research and development and human resource development in offshore wind power, as well as a platform organization for sharing issues among industry, academia, and government. As a result, domestic power producers and companies are currently addressing their challenges largely through trial and error.

Against this social backdrop, Kyushu University established the Research and Education Center for Offshore Wind in April 2022, a center dedicated specifically to offshore wind. Building on the University’s achievements in wind power generation technology, wind resource analysis, and marine renewable energy technologies, the Center aims to develop a world-class hub for research and education related to offshore wind through collaboration with researchers in the fields of hydrogen, materials science, mathematics, information science, electrical engineering, and economics.

With this Center as a core entity, we have established the Offshore Wind Industry–Academia–Government Collaboration Consortium, which brings together the experience, expertise, and capabilities of stakeholders from industry, academia, and government in Japan. Through this consortium, we seek to contribute to making offshore wind energy a principal power source in the country. Although the introduction of wind energy in Japan is still lagging behind that of leading countries in Europe and the United States, we are confident that this situation can be changed by encouraging the participation of research institutions, manufacturing companies, electric utilities, and local governments involved in offshore wind, and by responding to challenges on an all-Japan basis that transcends organizational boundaries.
We sincerely hope that many companies and organizations will support the aims of this initiative and join the consortium.

April 2022
Tatsuro Ishibashi
President, Kyushu University

2. Direction of the Consortium’s Activities

Through the activities of the consortium, we will promote the transition from a society (including its industries, human resources, and regions) dependent on fossil fuels to a society (including its industries, human resources, and regions) based on renewable energy, particularly wind energy.

3. Functions of the Consortium

１．Organization of seminars, symposia, and similar events (sharing information related to activities)

２．Addressing challenges faced by companies and local governments (coordinating collaboration on individual issues) → For inquiries regarding specific issues, please contact us via the “Contact” page.

３．Planning and examining industry–academia–government collaborative projects (collaborative initiatives on common themes)

４．Accumulation, analysis, and utilization of big data (data integration)

4. Operation of the Consortium

・The consortium is operated in accordance with the operating bylaws established by Kyushu University.

・Decisions regarding its operation are made by resolutions of the General Assembly.

・There are two membership categories: corporate members (companies, local governments, universities, etc.) and individual members (researchers, etc.).

・Membership is free of charge.

・Corporate members are granted voting rights at the General Assembly.

・The Secretariat is located at the Research and Education Center for Offshore Wind, Kyushu University.

The consortium is operated in accordance with its operating bylaws. Please refer to the statement of purpose and the operating bylaws below.

・Consortium Statement of Purpose（Japanese）

・Offshore Wind Industry, Academia and Government Collaboration Consortium – Operating Bylaws（Japanese）

 

5. Organizational Structure of the Consortium

Officers