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【JWF News Vol.146】 Session in Myanmar Water 2016
November 16, 2016
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◇Contents◇
・Foreword Water-power Development in Reservoir Areas
・Announcement from the Japan Water Forum
-Follow-up activity on the rainwater-harvesting projects in Sri Lanka started
・Report from the Japan Water Forum
-Session in Myanmar Water 2016
-The First Korea International Water Week (KIWW)
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・Foreword Water-power Development in Reservoir Areas
By Kotaro Takemura, Chair of Japan Water Forum
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Water Power Transformed into Solar Energy
Rain is caused by the sun. When the sun shines over the ocean, it evaporates water. The water vapor, cooled higher up in the sky, falls as rain. Therefore, water is a form of solar energy.
Solar energy is powerful and infinite in quantity. However, it has two shortcomings. One is its large temporal variation. The second is that its amount of energy per unit area is small. Water, which is a form of solar energy, has the same shortcomings. But these can be redeemed through dams and by taking advantage of the Japanese terrain.
The Japanese Archipelago and Its Dams
The Japanese archipelago is located in the Asian monsoon belt, surrounded by ocean in all directions. Abundant rain is brought to the islands by the power of the sun all year round. Mountainous areas, accounting for 70% of the country, collect rainwater. This rainwater converges into small mountain streams and then larger ones, which then converge into large rivers with enormous energy potential. Thus, the mountainous terrain of Japan transforms rain, which has a small amount of energy per unit area, into a force with a great energy potential.
However, Japan’s mountainous terrain is sometimes a major shortcoming. Unlike continental rivers, most rivers in Japan are of a torrential type. Rainwater flows down the mountains straight into the ocean within a short time. Rain, which varies over time, changes into water energy with an even bigger temporal variation.
Water energy which has a wide temporal variation and is difficult to harness, is changed into a source of energy with little temporal variation and improved usability through the use of dams. Dams pool fast-flowing water and make water energy more reliable. Thanks to its terrain and dams, Japan has become a treasure house of solar energy.
The Perspective on Reservoir Areas and Our Awareness of Them
There are various difficulties in developing water-power generation. These challenges are related to our perspective on reservoir areas and our awareness of them. Flowing water has traditionally been a valuable collective resource for residents of reservoir areas. In the process of modernization, the Japanese population and economy rapidly swelled, facilitating urbanization. During this period, many dams were built in waterhead areas to supply water and electricity to the cities. Since then, reservoir areas have continued to support the development of urban areas. Today, these areas are suffering from depopulation and environmental deterioration. In considering water-power generation, we need to change our perspective on reservoir areas and become more aware of them.
Establishing a System of Cooperation for the Development of Water Power in Reservoir Areas
Water power is a valuable indigenous energy resource. At the same time, it is a collective resource for the residents of reservoir areas. In the coming post-modern period, we will not be able to use the power of capital to promote water-power generation unilaterally.
Water-power development programs in the 21st century must be implemented for the benefit of people living in reservoir areas instead of victimizing them, which was the case during modernization. Water-power generation programs should enrich the lives of local residents in various ways. Through our efforts, we will be able to maintain forests in reservoir areas and hand over our natural heritage to future generations. Instead of building large new dams, we should more fully utilize the existing ones. In developing water-power, we must establish a support system for reservoir areas.
To this end, all administrative bodies must cooperate by removing segmental barriers and should transfer sufficient capital from cities to reservoir areas which suffer from a lack of funds. In order to ensure the everlasting development of reservoir areas and to secure sustainable energy resources, all possible efforts should be taken to establish a system of cooperation amongst the relevant administrative bodies under strong political leadership.
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・Announcement from the Japan Water Forum
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Follow-up activity on the rainwater-harvesting projects in Sri Lanka started
Japan Water Forum has started a follow-up activity on AQUA PROGRAM 2014 and 2015 in which rainwater-harvesting tanks were installed at households of the village in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.
This Follow-up is managed through donations for Charity for Water.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/2016/1102/?p=3174
(Reported by Akie Gunji, Assistant Manager)
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・Report from the Japan Water Forum
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Session in Myanmar Water 2016
Japan Water Forum held a session in Myanmar Water 2016, Yangon, Myanmar.
Myanmar Water 2016 is the Myanmar’s first dedicated water show.
The session introduces Japan’s bitter experiences during the period of rapid economic growth from 1954 to 1973, as well as the counter-measurements and technologies adopted to overcome their problems.
Through the session, participants will have an opportunity to discuss the sustainable development of Myanmar from the viewpoint of water-related problems as well as the contribution by Japan.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
https://www.waterforum.jp/en/2016/1102/?p=3275
(Reported by Sae Ishihara, Manager)
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The First Korea International Water Week (KIWW): Follow-up to the 7th World Water Forum
APWF secretariat have attended the First Korea International Water Week, held in Daegu from October 19th to 22nd.
This event was the first initiative created jointly by government, industry and academia as a follow-up activity to the 7th World Water Week, hosted by South Korea in April, 2015. Its aim was to show concrete implementation measures for the solution of water problems.
▼Please visit the following website for details▼
The First Korea International Water Week (KIWW): Follow-up to the 7th World Water Forum
(Reported by Yumiko Asayama, Manager)
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JWF News Vol.146 November 16, 2016
Japan Water Forum
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