Ocean Power Grid Launches Feasibility Study for Marine Power Transmission via Battery Tanker from Yakushima Island

Ocean Power Grid, Inc. (Head Office: Minato City, Tokyo; President: Hideyuki Ohnishi), a subsidiary of PowerX, Inc. (Head Office: Tamano City, Okayama; President & CEO: Masahiro Ito), has agreed with Yakushima Denko Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Bunkyo City, Tokyo; President: Tetsuya Suemura) to conduct a feasibility study for a project to transport clean electricity generated by hydropower on Yakushima Island to neighboring islands including Tanegashima Island.

Yakushima Island, known for having the highest rainfall in Japan, features mountains reaching 2,000 meters. This geography provides it with rich hydropower resources, characterized by both high volume and significant vertical drop, allowing the island to meet nearly all of its electricity demand with hydroelectric power.

The Battery tanker developed by Ocean Power Grid is the world's first method for electricity transmission that stores electricity in batteries onboard a ship for marine transport. By combining this maritime power transmission technology with the renewable energy generated from hydropower plants owned and operated by Yakushima Denko, the companies aim to create a new power transportation solution. This will contribute to the decarbonization of neighboring islands that currently rely on fossil fuel for power generation.

Moving forward, the companies will proceed with a detailed study, with the goal of commencing operations around 2028.

Image: Marine power transmission from Yakushima to nearby islands

Image: Odachi Dam, owned and operated by Yakushima Denko