Today, I want to talk about methane hydrate. Methane hydrate is also known as next-generation fuel. According to the Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry's report, there are huge amount of methane hydrate lie under the Sea of Japan in August 27th. And the article is from here.
Most of the methane hydrate locate under the sea floor, which means it's really hard to dig out because of complicated submarine topography. However, this one is concentrated near the surface of seabed. Therefore, it's easier to get.
In my opinion, digging out the methane hydrate is good for Japan. I have two reasons.
Firstly, it is good for the economics. Japan have to import a lot of fuel, such as oil and liquified natural gas, from foreign country since 3.11. As you know, a horrible nuclear plant accident was happened and the Japanese government forced to stop all of the nuclear plant in Japan. Therefore, we have to get an alternative energy and that's why Japan imports a lot of fuel now. According to the Japanese government fuel imports put trade deficit about 7 trillion yen last year. If Japan are able to get stable supply of methane hydrate, trade deficit will solve and Japanese economics will get better. That's why it's good for economics.
Secondly, it's good for the environment. Methane hydrate contains a huge amount of methane and methane is also known as green house gas. It sounds horrible for the environment to you, actually it's not. The methane hydrate emits less CO2 then the natural gas. Which means, it's not very bad to environment.
Overall, methane hydrate is good for Japan and I think the government should dig out it more quickly as soon as possible.
I think it's important to have alternative energy source. however, I think the technology is not good enough to control and cost-wise, it must be outrageously expensive. And the amount is limited, of course. So at this point, over expectation for new energy source could be dangerous. I think Gov. should research more how much it actually cost to run that energy and how much amount we can earn from that source.
ReplyDeleteHisashi Kato
Not only Methane hydrate but Shale gus are now being gotten by world oil comapnies,chemical corporation and General trading companies. Japanese government is concerned about high cost but it must obtain the kind of energy sources. However, we have solution that is a new thermal power generation which don't make the much emission of carbon dioxide. Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Hitachi snd Kawasaki make the big challenge for whole world, so Japan is famous of having state-of-the-art-technology about the new thermal power generation.
ReplyDeleteShinya Uchida
I am happy to hear that methane hydrate is lying under the sea near Japan! I understand that it might be hard to take that out from soil under the ocean, but there seems to be a lot of merit hearing from what you have said. We are all fearing of nuclear plants so it would be nice to have some kind of energy to use alternative to it. Still we might have to serch more about it and find out whether it is really good for us. It is hard to make a decision but someone have to. I wish this will work well for Japan and the world.
ReplyDeleteYuka Sakurai
I agree with your opinion! It is very important to find alternative resource. We rely on foreign country's resource too much. This means, if something happened in the world, we'll lack electricity. I know it is dangerous and difficult and costs a lot to dig methane hydrate. However, I think Japanese government must make haste to stop all nuclear power station. This will lead to save environment and people's safty. To provide stable electricity even if something happens in the world or though nuclear power plants stops, this gas is effective. So I completely agree with you!
ReplyDeleteMaria Yaka
I understand that finding alternative resource is a really good news. I also think that we rely too much on other countries' resource. But I am worried of the change in world's economy. What would happen if Japan completely stops importing resources?
ReplyDeleteKenichiro Ikari
Will the methane gas be difficult to produce and expensive to use? I think the cost factor is very important in any kind alternative energy. Also of course is safety. What do you think? Ms. MacGregor
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