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Since the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, Japan has relied on imported fossil fuels for electricity generation, but is quickly increasing its share of renewable energy sources. Recent development has been in biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar PV, though little attention has been given to the potential of marine energy resources. The present paper carries out an analysis of the economic viability of this resource using real wave and tidal current data. The results show that marine energy technologies could be cost-effective at several locations in Japan, and can pragmatically add reliable and predictable power to the energy generation mix. Deployed in straits with strong tidal flows near large population centers in western Japan, SeaGen and Verdant-type tidal turbines are shown to operate at costs far below the current price of electricity in the country. In northern Japan, the Aquabuoy, Pelamis, WaveDragon, and Guarda-type Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters show costs near the current price of electricity. Even though Aquabuoy and Pelamis are now defunct, it is likely that in the future new generation wave energy converters would be able to produce electricity at even lower costs and further enhance the practicality of developing wave power in northern Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Modelled hourly electricity supply/demand balance under different energy mixes in Japan. [•] Evaluation of electricity security of supply indicators for baseline and alternative generation mixes. [•] Demonstrated security improvements for high share of renewables and nuclear phase-out. [•] Structure of supply sector might have to dramatically change to guarantee system reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan is having to re-design its energy policy. With the danger of nuclear power in an earthquake-prone country exposed, renewable energies are being seen as a potential alternative. An assessment of the feasibility of a 100% renewable energy electricity system in Japan by the year 2030 was shown to be able to achieve a higher level of electricity resilience. The assessment is based on a simulation of the hourly future electricity production based on wind and solar meteorological data, that can cope with the estimated future hourly electricity demand in Japan for the year 2030. Such as system would use pump-up storage and electric batteries to balance the daily fluctuations in supply and demand, though the most important challenge of the system would be providing sufficient electricity to meet the summer demand peak. These findings have import implications at the policy making level, as it shows that the Japanese electricity generation system is technically able to increase the share of renewables up to 100%, guaranteeing a stable and reliable supply. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article examines the emergence of offshore renewable energy (i.e., offshore wind, ocean, and tidal energy) in the Asia-Pacific region with a particular focus on developments in China, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. It outlines plans for the development of offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy projects as well as emerging legal and policy measures supporting the growth of offshore renewable energy in the region. The article highlights that, although some progress has been made on laws and other measures to facilitate offshore renewable energy in the Asia-Pacific region, clear regulatory frameworks are still emerging in these jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean energy technology involves a range of engineering technologies that are able to obtain energy from the ocean using a variety of conversion mechanisms. Over the past few years there has been significant progress towards the development of commercial scale operations of ocean energy, especially hydrokinetic energy (where the energy of ocean (or fluvial) currents and tides is captured by devices which are installed under the surface of the water) and wave energy (where the energy of the surface wind waves is used to produce electricity by a variety of devices installed on the surface of the sea). Ocean energy is now on the threshold of providing a reliable base-load source of renewable energy on a commercial scale. While technological barriers are being overcome the lack of clear regulatory frameworks in many countries is now emerging as a barrier to wide-scale development of ocean energy. Regulatory frameworks need to be developed to more suitably deal with the relatively benign environmental impacts of ocean energy in particular. Where regulatory regimes do exist there is also a need for further streamlining of approval processes. The industry also needs feed-in tariffs to promote the widescale adoption of this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the state of ocean energy in 2009 and consider its potential as a source of renewable energy. We provide a background on the current state of technology and commercial development, and examine the implications for law and policy of the re-emergence of ocean energy as a source of renewable energy in 2009. In the 1970s much of the academic and policy literature highlighted jurisdictional uncertainty surrounding ocean energy under international law. This is not the case today. Although some questions remain with respect to navigation rights, most questions surrounding the nature and extent of coastal State jurisdiction in relation to ocean energy have been resolved by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Instead we argue that one of the biggest challenges faced by ocean energy today is the uncertain state of regulation under domestic legal systems. We highlight issues requiring attention by policy-makers and legislators, including managing hazards to navigation, providing further financial incentives for wide-scale commercialisation of this technology (such as increased research and development funding and feed-in tariffs) and managing ocean energy's relatively benign environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This literature review identifies the impacts of different renewable energy pathways on ecosystems and biodiversity, and the implications of these impacts for transitioning to a Green Economy. While the higher penetration of renewable energy is currently the backbone of Green Economy efforts, an emerging body of literature demonstrates that the renewable energy sector can affect ecosystems and biodiversity. The current review synthesizes the existing knowledge at the interface of renewable energy and biodiversity accross the five drivers of ecosystem change and biodiversity loss of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) framework (i.e. habitat loss/change, pollution, overexploitation, climate change and introduction of invasive species). It identifies the main impact mechanisms for different renewable energy pathways, including solar, wind, hydro, ocean, geothermal and bioenergy. Our review demonstrates that while all reviewed renewable energy pathways are associated (directly or indirectly) with each of the five MA drivers of ecosystem change and biodiversity loss, the actual impact mechanisms depend significantly between the different pathways, specific technologies and the environmental contexts within which they operate. With this review we do not question the fundamental logic of renewable energy expansion as it has been shown to have high environmental and socio-economic benefits. However, we want to make the point that some negative impacts on biodiversity do exist, and need to be considered when developing renewable energy policies. We put these findings into perspective by illustrating the major knowledge/practices gaps and policy implications at the interface of renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and the Green Economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]