Japanese students on renewables fact-finding tour

A group of Japanese students are in the county this week to learn more about Orkney’s global role in the development of wave and tidal energy technology.

The students, from the north-eastern coastal town of Kamaishi, in the Iwate Prefecture, will also share their experiences of life in the aftermath of a major earthquake.

The visit has been organised by Stromness-based energy and environmental consultancy, Aquatera Ltd, which has been working closely with a number of Japanese communities and business over the past few years to help develop a marine energy industry in the country.

The students, all pupils at Kamaishi Super Science High School, will give a public presentation on their earthquake experiences in the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness, at 7pm on Thursday, August 27.

Mr Hajime Kitaoka, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, will deliver the opening speech at the event.

During their four-day visit, the pupils will link up with students from Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy, with visits to the European Marine Energy Centre, Heriot Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology and the Maritime Studies Department of Orkney College also planned.