Hitachi and Japan Airlines pilot direct ocean capture

In Japan, Hitachi, Ltd. and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct Japan’s first pilot test on Kume Island, Okinawa Prefecture, utilizing Direct Ocean Capture, a technology that directly separates and captures CO2 dissolved in seawater. In this pilot test, the three companies aim to confirm the applicability of DOC technology using seawater from around Kume Island, and obtain foundational data on operational challenges and environmental impacts for deployment along Japan’s coast. Specifically, the test will use containerized pilot equipment installed on land on Kume Island, taking in seawater to separate CO2. In addition to this initiative, Kume Island hosts cutting-edge pilot projects that leverage its location, such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). With a concentration of expertise and talent in ocean research, the island offers an optimal environment for conducting Japan’s first DOC pilot test.