Ryohei Hinokuma
I am a master's student at ITS. My current research focuses on the utilization of wind-energy through the use of battery vehicles and demand response system on the island of San Cristobal, in the Galapagos. 2.4 MW capacity of wind turbines were installed and begun commercial operation in October 2007; however, there is currently no energy storage space in the grid system. More than a half of wind-based electricity is expected to be wasted in this form of the grid system, and diesel will supply all of the unmet load. Thus, my goal is to determine the most economically and environmentally effective approach to minimize the consumption of diesel fuel.
Biography:
M.S in the Transportation Technology and Policy
University of California, at Davis, Expected in September 2008
B.S in the Environmental Biology and Management
University of California, at Davis
Current research:
My current project focuses on the utilization of wind energy on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos. The San Cristobal Wind Project initiated to reduce the consumption of diesel fuel on the island by installing 2.4 MW capacity of wind turbines with a partnership between the E8 COMPANIES, which “compose of electricity companies that operate in the national territories of the G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, Russian Federation and the United States),” and Empresa Electrica Provincial Galapagos Elecgalapagos S.A, which is a local utility company on the island [1]. Also, the operation of the program is “in coordination with UNDP umbrella program with the funding donated by the e8 members, the United Nations Foundation, and the government of Ecuador [1]. The Industry and Energy Associates (IEA), LLC, which serves a project director role, approached UC Davis to model and optimize the grid system. Thus, this project is going to determine the most economically and environmentally viable approach to fully utilize the wind energy on the island with the goal of implementation.
I and my supervisor, Kurt Kornbluth, has been investigating the applicability of battery vehicles as energy storage options to utilize excess wind energy. In addition, refrigerators and possibly other electric appliances, such as pumped hydro and air-conditioning, will be considered as deferrable loads to reduce spinning reserve and also to levelize the primary load.
Past Presentations:
STEPS Seminar on February 15th, 2008
Hobbies/Avocations:
Snowboarding, Surfing, and My dog in Japan (her name is Happy)
Five students graduate from STEPS Program