Explain the major ocean currents around Japan and estimate how much electric energy they can deliver in one year.

Takahiro Yano10720413

Introduction

Four ocean currents are

flowing to the Japanese

adjacent waters.

① kuroshio Current

② Oyashio Current

③ Tushima Current

④ Liman Current

After I explain these ocean currents, how much electricenergy in one year.

①

②③

④

Kuroshio Current

Kuroshio Current flows along

the southern coast of Japan,

and flowing to the seas east

of the Boso Peninsula.

Flow rate of the ocean current

is about 2m/s, its strong currents

to 100km wide.

Feature : The flow rate is quicker due to the large flow rate, a lot of potential power generation capacity. But Many regions of its flow path of the water depth is very limited where the generator can be installed.

①

Oyashio Current

Oyashio Current flows along

the Kuril Islands to the south,

reaching the ocean until east

of Japan.

Flow rate of the ocean current

is about 0.5m/s at most.

Feauture : The flow rate is slower, because of the flow rate far greater depth, a recent study also found that the flow can become comparable to the Kuroshio.

②

Tushima Current

Tsushima Current is a warm

current flowing into the Sea

of Japan through the Tsushima

Strait.

Flow rate of the ocean current

is around 0.5m/s near the

current axis.

Feauture :The scale of the ocean is less than in the Oyashio Current and the Kuroshio Current. However, Some places rapidly change flow rate. For example, in the Tsugaru Strait, the Tsushima Current flows in at once, has created a tremendous flow. The flow speed is also up to 3.5m/s.

③

Liman Current

Liman current is ocean along

the Japan Sea to the south from

the vicinity of the Eurasian

continent Mamiya Strait.

Flow rate of the ocean current

is about 0.25m/s and slow

compared to most other ocean

current.Feauture : The flow rate is slow and less, So ocean current generation I think this is not suitable…

④

Electric energy

※When the ocean current 　power generation system of 2MW(2.5m/s) of rated 　outputs is used. 　Generation of electricity 　quantity of one year …

Speed and the generation of electricity quantity of the ocean current are proportionate.

Ocean current Kuroshio Oyashio Tushima Liman

Electric energy 7600MWh 1400MWh 1400MWh 700MWh

Bibliography : http://www.kankyo.metro.tokyo.jp

Conclusion

・ The result of research, as for the ocean current under 1m/s not being suited for ocean current generation of electricity it was understood.

・ Because of that the ocean current which is suitable for ocean current generation of electricity in Japan is thought that are only Kuroshio current and the Tsushima current.