(Founding members of Rera Tech Inc.: from left: Konagaya, Uchiyama, Mito, and Misaki)
Rera Tech Inc. is Japan's only research and development venture company, founded by Kobe University, that specializes in offshore wind power. They provide consulting services related to wind condition surveys, such as wind condition observation, numerical simulation, and data analysis, mainly to private companies.
The founding members talk about the founding story of Rera Tech Inc. In the second part, they talk about Rera Tech Inc.'s unique strengths and vision. (The first part was）
Providing "multifaceted consulting" through connections between private companies and universities
───Please tell us about Rera Tech Inc.'s unique strengths.
Misaki:Each member has their own area of expertise, so I think our strength is being able to provide multifaceted consulting. They have the perspective of experts in wind observation, offshore wind simulation, and wind analysis, as well as experience working for a private company as an environmental consultant. In addition, they have a track record of conducting research on offshore wind power at the forefront as academic researchers at Kobe University. By combining the technologies and knowledge of different fields, we are able to provide essential problem-solving and solutions.
Uchiyama:For example, even if we receive an inquiry about wind observation, if we determine that follow-up simulations and analyses are necessary when looking at the entire project, we will carefully explain and propose these points as well. Rather than simply responding to the content of the request, we place importance on providing support from the essential perspective of "what is necessary to complete the project?"
Misaki:Certainly, that is a big point that gives customers peace of mind. By bringing together experts from various fields with proven track records and technical capabilities, it has become easier to gather information about offshore wind power. This has made it easier to identify issues and come up with optimal solutions.
Mito:As we transition from onshore to offshore wind power, the number of things to consider has increased dramatically, and more advanced technologies are required. However, in general consulting companies, there are only a few people who specialize in offshore wind power, and there is often little time available for sufficient discussion and problem solving. But at Rera Tech Inc., we can thoroughly discuss a single issue from multiple angles. I think that such a forum is rare, even in Japan.
Konagaya:Before we started the company, our members had talked about the need to create a place in Japan where cutting-edge initiatives and information could be accumulated. By establishing Relatec, we felt we were able to embody that place. University research institutes are constantly developing new technologies. Our greatest strength is being able to provide high-quality solutions to private companies as quickly as possible by collaborating with Kobe University.
Misaki:On the other hand, another advantage of Rera Tech Inc. is that it can reflect the real voices of private companies in university research. Although universities can conduct specialized research, there are still many areas where research results have not been applied to the field.
Uchiyama:However, we are able to directly hear from private companies on a daily basis about the issues they face. "What is needed in the field right now?" "What kind of research needs to be done to achieve that?" We can advance our research while feeling the voices of the field. Rather than just armchair theories, we are able to discuss research content that is relevant to the field.
Mito:While absorbing the issues faced by private companies, we communicate with research institutes, primarily Kobe University. Our two-way connections are a unique feature of Rera Tech Inc..
For the Earth 100 years from now. A mission to communicate the future of offshore wind power
───Please tell us about your future vision and the future that Rera Tech Inc. is aiming for.
Konagaya:In order to realize our vision of "Creating a planet that people want to live on for 100 years to come," we will take on the challenge of our mission of "Designing the future of energy and society with weather and IT." We believe that the spread of renewable energy and offshore wind power will play an important role in creating a better world, not just for Japan. With an eye on the near future, we would like to expand the circle in which we can contribute.
Misaki:I think one of our missions is to widely communicate the nature of offshore wind power to society. We already have connections with university research institutes, academic societies, and specific industries, but because this is a highly specialized field, we still have few connections with the general public. I hope that Relatec can play a role in that regard as well.
Uchiyama:I would be happy if people who become interested in wind power generation through Rera Tech Inc. would want to work with us or get involved in the industry. I hope that this will create a virtuous cycle.
Mito:Energy issues tend to be avoided as a specialized and difficult field, but it is about electricity, which is essential for our daily lives. Learning about where and how energy, including offshore wind power, is generated and delivered to us will help shape the Earth 100 years from now.
(Interviewer/Writer: Misato Kaizu; Editor: Hisae Sasaki)
CEO: Mizuki Konagaya
After graduating from the University of Tsukuba Graduate School (Meteorology and Climatology), he worked for 10 years as an environmental consultant, mainly engaged in consulting work related to renewable energy. In 2016, he enrolled in a doctoral program at Kobe University Graduate School, where he is currently conducting research on offshore wind condition surveys. He serves as the representative director of Rera Tech Inc., a Kobe University-based venture company established to provide consulting services specializing in wind condition surveys for wind power generation, making use of the skills and connections he gained during his time at the company and while studying there.
Takeshi Misaki
He studied at Kobe University Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, where he researched how to improve the accuracy of offshore wind simulations using meteorological models, and obtained a PhD in Engineering. After working in systems management for waste incineration plants at Hitachi Zosen Corporation, he worked on wind condition surveys for domestic offshore wind power projects at Tokyo Electric Power Company Design Co., Ltd. He is currently in charge of wind condition analysis and simulation work, and also serves as an academic researcher at Kobe University.
Toshinari Mito
He majored in geographical and environmental science at Tokyo Metropolitan University (formerly Tokyo Metropolitan University), and based his knowledge of geography (humanities, vegetation, climate, topography, geology, hydrology, etc.), he acquired geographic information science (GIS, etc.) for analyzing these and weather simulations, etc. After graduating, he worked for about seven years as an environmental consultant, mainly engaged in consulting work related to renewable energy. In his work, he carried out a wide range of wind observation and analysis work, including LIDAR for wind power generation development, and also conducted multiple research projects related to LIDAR.
Shogo Uchiyama
While studying at Kobe University's Graduate School of Maritime Sciences, he was involved in projects with NEDO and the Ministry of the Environment, where he developed a method for estimating offshore wind conditions by combining observed values and numerical simulations. He is currently working in a doctoral program in the same department, developing simulation methods specialized for meso- to micro-scales. At the same time, he is employed at a power generation company, where he is involved in onshore and offshore wind condition analysis and project development both in Japan and overseas, as well as wind turbine selection and procurement, and project certification. In this project, he will not only contribute technically, but will also be involved in investigating industry needs and formulating strategies.