Mariano Marcos
State University

Japanese expert trains MMSU savants on renewable energy, smart grid apps

A professor and expert from the Ashikaga University (AU) in Japan is conducting a training-workshop on renewable energy and smart grid applications to the researchers and engineering professors of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) from July 30 to August 2.

Prof. Yoshihita Sato is an expert in power electronics for renewable energy, floating offshore wind power generation, grid connection technology of wind power generation system, and power storage.

Prof. Sato shared his expertise in power systems and compared them with the conventional power generation systems and renewable energy sources in the Philippines that play significant roles in power electronics in smart grids, single phase AC control using bi-directional switch, and optimal power storage system for the Philippines.

During the opening program held at the MMSU Hostel on July 30, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis said that the four-day training-workshop will surely help enhance the capacity of the participants in the field of renewable energy technologies and smart grid applications.

“We will use these skills learned from the Japanese expert in making MMSU as an energy self-sufficient state university,” she said.

Fascinated by one of the projects of Prof. Sato, Dr. Agrupis said she hopes to build an offshore floating wind power at the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology in the future.

Prof. Sato also thanked MMSU for helping him conduct the training-workshop, assuring that he will share his 30-year expertise in renewable energy technology, power electronics, and wind power to the participants.

“I would like to help MMSU on smart grid applications that are suitable to the Philippines,” he said.

Prior to this, a training-workshop on renewable energy technologies in line with solar, wind and biomass energy tracks were conducted by three AU experts and one Filipino “balik-scientist” in May 2018.

Prof. Yuichi Nakajo in AU also came to MMSU last July 22-26 for the mobility of the Japanese students at MMSU on English proficiency with some nursing and engineering short courses.

The visit of the Japanese experts is one of the outputs of the partnership forged between the MMSU and four universities in Japan – AU, Gifu University, Shizouka University, and Kyoto University – for international exchange programs.