Japan is negotiating with Masdar, Abu Dhabi's government-backed renewable energy company, to conduct a feasibility study for air cooling systems using solar thermal technology, an official said.
The government-run New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization and Masdar are discussing details of a feasibility study planned in Masdar City to be followed by demonstration tests, Toshio Kosuge, an official in the Natural Resources and Energy Agency, said Tuesday, declining to give details.
The Nikkei newspaper reported that the tests could start as early as this spring and Japan may invest as much as ¥3 billion in the three-year project. The plan comes as Japan pushes to expand clean energy technology exports.
On Dec. 13, the government signed a memorandum to cooperate in solar energy projects with Morocco and agreed with Tunisia to launch a solar thermal power generation in El Borma, according to NEDO's website.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akihito Ohata will visit the United Arab Emirates from Monday for meetings with officials to strengthen energy cooperation using Japan's clean energy technology, said Ryo Minami, another official at the Natural Resources and Energy Agency.