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Sustainability Events

Advancing Algae Fuels and Products in Japan

Makoto M. Watanabe

  • Director, Algae Biomass and Energy System R&D Center (ABES), University of Tsukuba (UT)

Atsumi Kinya

  • Project Director, New Business Promotion Dept., Denso Corporation

Japan has had a long history with algae research and development and the country is continuing to prove itself as a leader in advancing the field to this day. Algae fuels and products have reached new heights with the establishment of the Algae Biomass and Energy System R&D Center (ABES) at the University of Tsukuba (UT) as well as recent advancements coming from the Denso Corporation, a Toyota Motor affiliate. In this talk, leaders from both institutions will discuss their research and development outlines as well as ongoing projects and anchoring themes concerning the advancement of algae fuels and products in Japan.

As director of ABES, Makoto M. Watanabe oversees the center’s robust interdisciplinary structure ensuring that it meets the requirements of developing algae fuels and products combined with natural energy system to commercialization. Prior to managing the ABES, Watanabe sat up research facilities of the Core Laboratory for Next Generation Energy System at the University of Tsukuba for the purpose of advancing research and development of algal biomass large-scale cultivation. Watanabe holds a Doctor in Science title with a focus on botany from Hokkaido University.

As project director of Denso Corporation's New Business Promotion Department, Atsumi Kinya works toward bringing innovative products to commercialization and was responsible for proposing future developments relating to Denso's GHG (Green House Gas) reduction technologies. In 2008, Kinya broke ground on Denso’s “Algae Green Project” to produce biofuel from microalgae and considered the value added applications of using algal pure oil. Kinya also holds the title of managing director for Japan’s Algae Industry Incubation Consortium to date.

Monday, October 5, 2015
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.