[Brief translation]
Tsushima-shi has been researching the feasibility of OTEC, which is the new technology generating electricity by utilizing temperature difference between surface seawater and deep seawater, off the coast of the northern Tsushima. In January 13, 2007, the result of the research was reported by Dr. Haruo Uehara, Chairman of OPOTEC, who was commissioned by the city to implement the possibility of the technology. At the meeting, Dr. Uehara stated off the coast of Saozaki is appropriate area for OTEC, and proposed constructing a power plant in prospect of creating new jobs and industries in Tsushima-shi to about 200 citizens.
In 2001, the research turned up off the coast of Kamiagata-cho is suitable area for power generation by using this new technology in terms of temperature difference, and since 2005, Dr. Uehara and other members have been researching such as seafloor topography, water temperature and salinity. The result shows the condition for OTEC in this area is more favorable than the Pacific Ocean because only from 200 to 300 meters deep are necessary for generation of electricity while from 800 to 1,000 meters deep in the Pacific. In order to realize the proposal, annexing a wind power system to the OTEC system is being considered as the temperature difference is only 11 degrees in winter compared to over 20 degrees in summer.