Japan Creates Mega Solar City -Leads World

In an effort to create one of Japan’s greenest urban areas and clean up its air by reducing CO2 emissions, Japan announced that two gigantic solar power generation plants will be installed in Sakai City.

The title of the project is quite a mouth full – the Sakai City Waterfront Mega Solar Power Generation Plan. Say that three times fast. I guess the title has to be fitting for the size of the project, however, because the two facilities will have a 28,000 kW combined maximum capacity and will help to reduce CO2 emissions by a whopping 10,000 tons annually. The city will work in conjunction with Sharp Japan and Kansai Electric Power, with Sharp planning on using thin-film silicon solar modules.

The project is off to a pretty good start on the “Cool City Sakai” low-carbon metropolis initiative, with the first facility to be erected atop an industrial waste landfill, and the second will actually be solar power generation facilities installed on Sharp’s and other companies’ buildings in a manufacturing complex, so Sharp can run on solar, making their products just that much greener.

Japan is fast becoming the world’s solar capital. Meanwhile, back in the U.S., leaders in the U.S. solar energy industry blasted the U.S. government on Monday for a freeze on applications for new solar projects on public land in six Western states.

The Bureau of Land Management announced the freeze a month ago, saying it would conduct an extensive study looking at the environmental, social and economic impacts of solar energy development.

During the 22-month study, the agency will not consider any new proposals for solar energy developments on public land in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico or Utah.

Fred Morse, senior advisor for U.S. operations at Abengoa Solar, a Spanish company with a solar plant in development in Arizona, said the moratorium could hurt many companies in the burgeoning U.S. industry.

(Source: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/07/japan-creates-m.html)

(Original 1: http://www.goodcleantech.com/2008/06/sakai_city_waterfront_mega_sol.php)
(Original 1: http://www.enn.com/energy/article/37536)

Fuel Cell System Generates Electricity, Japan

Genepax Co Ltd explained the technologies used in its new fuel cell system “Water Energy System (WES),” which uses water as a fuel and does not emit CO2.

The system can generate power just by supplying water and air to the fuel and air electrodes, respectively, the company said at the press conference, which took place June 12, 2008, at the Osaka Assembly Hall.

The basic power generation mechanism of the new system is similar to that of a normal fuel cell, which uses hydrogen as a fuel. According to Genepax, the main feature of the new system is that it uses the company’s membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which contains a material capable of breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen through a chemical reaction.

Though the company did not reveal the details, it “succeeded in adopting a well-known process to produce hydrogen from water to the MEA,” said Hirasawa Kiyoshi, the company’s president. This process is allegedly similar to the mechanism that produces hydrogen by a reaction of metal hydride and water. But compared with the existing method, the new process is expected to produce hydrogen from water for longer time, the company said.

With the new process, the cell needs only water and air, eliminating the need for a hydrogen reformer and high-pressure hydrogen tank. Moreover, the MEA requires no special catalysts, and the required amount of rare metals such as platinum is almost the same as that of existing systems, Genepax said.

Unlike the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which uses methanol as a fuel, the new system does not emit CO2. In addition, it is expected to have a longer life because catalyst degradation (poisoning) caused by CO does not occur on the fuel electrode side. As it has only been slightly more than a year since the company completed the prototype, it plans to collect more data on the product life.

At the conference, Genepax unveiled a fuel cell stack with a rated output of 120W and a fuel cell system with a rated output of 300W. In the demonstration, the 120W fuel cell stack was first supplied with water by using a dry-cell battery operated pump. After power was generated, it was operated as a passive system with the pump turned off.

This time, the voltage of the fuel cell stack was 25-30V. Because the stack is composed of 40 cells connected in series, it is expected that the output per cell is 3W or higher, the voltage is about 0.5-0.7V, and the current is about 6-7A. The power density is likely to be not less than 30mW/cm2 because the reaction area of the cell is 10 x 10 cm.

Meanwhile, the 300W fuel cell system is an active system, which supplies water and air with a pump. In the demonstration, Genepax powered the TV and the lighting equipment with a lead-acid battery charged by using the system. In addition, the 300W system was mounted in the luggage room of a compact electric vehicle “Reva” manufactured by Takeoka Mini Car Products Co Ltd, and the vehicle was actually driven by the system.

Genepax initially planned to develop a 500W system, but failed to procure the materials for MEA in time and ended up in making a 300W system.

For the future, the company intends to provide 1kw-class generation systems for use in electric vehicles and houses. Instead of driving electric vehicles with this system alone, the company expects to use it as a generator to charge the secondary battery used in electric vehicles.

Although the production cost is currently about ¥2,000,000 (US$18,522), it can be reduced to ¥500,000 or lower if Genepax succeeds in mass production. The company believes that its fuel cell system can compete with residential solar cell systems if the cost can be reduced to this level.

(Source: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20080613/153276/)

JAPANESE WATER POWERED CAR!!

Amazing reproduction of an hydrogen car. This was already made by Stanley Meyer.

(Correction) This technology is very similar to what Stanley Meyer had, but instead of using a combustion engine, this generates electricity to drive an electric motor. Thanks to one of our Reader for this correction.

Yukihisa Fujita – June 18, 2008 – Time for an International Investigation of 9/11

Yukihisa Fujita is a sensible man. Demanding an international investigation is the best way to get to the bottom of 9/11.

(Source: http://www.911blogger.com/node/16213)

Yukihisa Fujita told the Alex Jones Show yesterday about a potential new investigation of the 9/11 cover-up

Mr Fujita, Senior Japanese Parliament Minister researching 9-11 staged attack.

(Source: http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/march2008/033108_un_investigation.htm)

As energy bills soar, Japanese test fuel of future

From PhysOrg.com News: This file picture dated April 2008 shows Japan’s electronics giant Matsushita Electric Industrial’s the new fuel cell cogeneration system for home use in Tokyo. As world oil prices skyrocket, thousands of households in energy-poor Japan are taking part in an ambitious experiment to use fuel cells to light and heat their homes.

Since the prime minister’s official residence became the first house in the world to be equipped with a domestic fuel cell in 2005, about 3,000 households have signed up to have the grey boxes installed outside their homes.

The project aims to thrust Japan to the forefront of a “hydrogen society” that has kicked its addiction to fossil fuels and produces affordable energy while spewing out far less of the greenhouse gas that is blamed for global warming.

(Source: http://www.zpenergy.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2907)

(Full Article: http://www.physorg.com/news132151410.html)

Letter template to contact leaders.

The following document is a nice letter template you can use if you wish to contact Japan leaders to thank them for their efforst regarding the ETs.

This was provided by Joseph Burkes and was made available to use.
Adapt this template with your name and information.

Enjoy and a big thank to Joseph.

December 21, 2008

Minister Shigeru Ishiba
c/o Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Sir,

I am an American physician and have been concerned about peace and citizens’ diplomacy issues for many years. I want to thank you for your comments concerning the importance of the UFO phenomenon and the need to clarify Japan’s defense policy concerning this matter. You have shown great courage and responsibility by speaking out on this controversial subject. As reported in the press you have acknowledged the dangers of attacking UFOs if their mission is a peaceful one. On Dec. 18 it was reported that Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura also acknowledged the reality of UFOs. He mentioned the pre-Columbian Nazca lines in southern Peru as evidence supporting extra-terrestrial visitations.

Minister Machimura’s choice of these ancient lines as evidence I believe is of considerable significance. Cave dwelling paintings that are thousands of years old as well as religious art that is hundreds of years old have portrayed UFOs in our skies. This is clearly an ancient as well as modern phenomenon that has existed peacefully alongside human civilization and therefore attempts to engage UFOs militarily will have disastrous consequences for our planet.

I urge you to carry out an open and fair investigation on this subject and I refer you to the work of the Center for the Study of Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (CSETI) described at www.disclosureproject.org

The Japanese people who in the last century suffered so much from war are honored to have leaders such as you who see the possibility of taking a peaceful approach to extra-terrestrial visitations. I hope that you will continue working on this vital issue.

Sincerely
Joseph Burkes MD

(Source: CSETI Forums)

Japan’s science minister hopes aliens exist

TOKYO (AFP) – Japan’s science minister said Friday he hoped aliens existed so children would become more interested in space, as a debate on UFOs continued to demand the attention of the cabinet.

“It would be fun if they existed,” education and science minister Kisaburo Tokai told reporters.

“There have been films like ‘ET.’ Children may grow up with ambitions regarding space,” he said, referring to Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic about a boy’s friendship with an extraterrestrial.

Japan has an increasingly ambitious space programme, with a major lunar probe launched in September. But it is struggling to boost children’s interest in science with a survey this month showing Japanese students came last internationally in the percentage seeking science careers.

Tokai said the cabinet, despite other pressing issues and a new poll showing a sharp fall in public support, started its regular meeting Friday with a lively discussion about UFOs.

But he declined to take sides on whether he personally believed in alien life-forms.

“The government is not considering a study on UFOs but I want to ask various things if I meet experts,” he said.

The science minister’s comments came a day after Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was looking at how Japan’s military could respond to an alien invasion under the pacifist constitution.

The debate was set off on Tuesday when the government, asked for its position by an opposition lawmaker, stated it had no knowledge of UFOs.

The statement prompting a surprise rebuttal from chief government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura, who said: “Personally, I absolutely believe they exist.”

(Source: http://news.yahoo.com)

Japan’s science minister hopes aliens exist

TOKYO (AFP) – Japan’s science minister said Friday he hoped aliens existed so children would become more interested in space, as a debate on UFOs continued to demand the attention of the cabinet.

“It would be fun if they existed,” education and science minister Kisaburo Tokai told reporters.

“There have been films like ‘ET.’ Children may grow up with ambitions regarding space,” he said, referring to Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic about a boy’s friendship with an extraterrestrial.

Japan has an increasingly ambitious space programme, with a major lunar probe launched in September. But it is struggling to boost children’s interest in science with a survey this month showing Japanese students came last internationally in the percentage seeking science careers.

Tokai said the cabinet, despite other pressing issues and a new poll showing a sharp fall in public support, started its regular meeting Friday with a lively discussion about UFOs.

But he declined to take sides on whether he personally believed in alien life-forms.

“The government is not considering a study on UFOs but I want to ask various things if I meet experts,” he said.

The science minister’s comments came a day after Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was looking at how Japan’s military could respond to an alien invasion under the pacifist constitution.

The debate was set off on Tuesday when the government, asked for its position by an opposition lawmaker, stated it had no knowledge of UFOs.

The statement prompting a surprise rebuttal from chief government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura, who said: “Personally, I absolutely believe they exist.”

(Source: http://news.yahoo.com)

Japan government spokesman says UFOs do exist

TOKYO (Reuters) – Yes, UFOs do exist, Japan’s top government spokesman said on Tuesday.

The comment by chief cabinet secretary Nobutaka Machimura drew laughter from reporters at his regular briefing on government policy.

Earlier the cabinet, responding to an opposition lawmaker’s question, issued a statement saying it could not confirm any cases of unidentified flying objects.

“This is an issue that the nation is interested in — it is a defence issue and a confirmation operation needs to take place,” Ryuji Yamane, a lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party who submitted the question to the cabinet, told Reuters.

“But the government does not even try to collect information necessary for the confirmation.”

Machimura, asked about the government’s view on UFOs at a regular press conference, told reporters that the government can only offer a stereotyped response.

“Personally, I definitely believe they exist,” he said, apparently tongue in cheek.

But the prime minister stuck to the official view.

“I have yet to confirm (that UFOs exist),” Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda told reporters later in the day.

(Reporting by Yoko Kubota and George Nishiyama, Editing by Michael Watson)

(Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071218/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_ufo)