JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd.

📆 Event | 2nd Brazil–Japan Floating Offshore Wind R&D Workshop: Introducing the Aura Sul Wind Project at Yokohama National University 🇧🇷🤝🇯🇵 I am pleased to invite colleagues from #Academia, #Industry, and #Government to join the 2nd Brazil–Japan Floating Offshore Wind R&D Workshop, to be held at Yokohama National University (YNU), Japan, on August 6th, 2026, at 15:30. 🌊⚡ Following the success of our first workshop at UTokyo, which also counted with Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, and Universidade Federal do Paraná participants, this second edition continues to strengthen the technical and scientific growth of Brazil–Japan collaboration behind the #AuraSulWind Project, Brazil's first floating offshore wind pilot project. This workshop will officially introduce the ASW Project to the faculty, researchers, and students of YNU, while exploring new opportunities for joint research, innovation, and long-term academic collaboration. 🎓 The event will bring together researchers and specialists from: 🔹 JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd. 🔹 The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) 🔹 Yokohama National University (YNU) 🔹 Shipbuilding and Ocean Renaissance International Center (SORIC) 💡 Key topics include: 📌 Aura Sul Wind Project Overview by Prof. Rodolfo Gonçalves 📌 Introduction of SORIC and YNU R&D Capabilities for FOWT by Prof. Motohiko Murai 📌 Mooring System Research for FOWT by Prof. Motohiko Murai 📌 Development of Concrete Floating Structures by Prof. Chikako Fujiyama 📌 Flow Physics Around Offshore Wind Support Structures by Prof. Takayuki Suzuki 📌 Future Brazil–Japan Research Collaboration and MoU Discussions 📍 Location: YNU, Ship & Ocean Engineering Building, 3F, Lecture Room 303 🗓 Date: August 6th, 2026 ⏰ Time: 15:30 (JST) 📩 Information & Registration: goncalves@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp 🤝 One of the greatest strengths of the ASW Project is bringing together universities with complementary expertise. Each institution contributes unique laboratories, researchers, and capabilities, creating an international R&D network for floating offshore wind. 📚 The next editions are already planned: The University of Osaka, led by Prof. Kazuhiro Iijima, will host the 3rd Workshop this November, while 日本大学 - Nihon University, led by Prof. Tomoki Ikoma, will host another edition on a future date. We also look forward to inviting additional partners, including Nagasaki University and Kobe University, further expanding this Brazil–Japan research network. We are building one of the largest Brazil–Japan academic collaborations ever established in floating offshore wind. Together, we are building knowledge, developing talent, and creating the scientific foundation. See you at YNU! 🇯🇵🌊 #FloatingOffshoreWind #BrazilJapan #Research #Innovation #OffshoreWind #WindEnergy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #BlueEconomy #InternationalCollaboration #YNU #UTokyo #SORIC #ThanksGod

🇧🇷⚓️ Building Offshore Wind Together — Innovation Starts with Science 🔬 On May 14th, 2026, we had an excellent meeting with representatives from Brazil's Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (MCTI) in Brasília, DF, Brazil, to discuss how the Aura Sul Wind project can contribute to research, technological development, innovation, and international cooperation for Brazil's floating offshore wind sector. The meeting included Vânia Gomes, Alice Abbud, Leandro Viegas, Gustavo Lima, and Dante Hollanda from MCTI, together with Matheus Antonio Marques da Silva and me, representing JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd. Rather than presenting only an energy project, our objective was to demonstrate how #AuraSulWind can serve as a strategic R&D and innovation platform for Brazil, connecting #Science, #Industry, #Government, and international cooperation, as discussed: 🤝 🔬 Research, Development & Innovation, positioning ASW as a project to generate scientific knowledge, develop technology, train people, and strengthen Brazil's offshore capabilities. 🎓 Academic collaboration with strong participation from Brazilian universities and research centers, including Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Universidade Federal do Paraná, and USP - Universidade de São Paulo, as well as Japanese partner institutions. 🌊 Environmental and metocean monitoring, including Floating LiDAR (by Fugro), monitoring buoys (by blueOASIS), and integration with the SiMCosta network. ⚙️ Technology development, combining Brazil's offshore oil & gas experience with Japan's offshore wind expertise to advance concrete floating platform technology. 🏗️ Industrial development, highlighting opportunities for the Brazilian shipbuilding, concrete, port, logistics, and offshore supply chains. 🇧🇷🇯🇵 Creating a binational platform for innovation, where #Brazil and #Japan jointly develop technologies, research, talent, and industrial capabilities for the future of FOW. A living laboratory where environmental data, engineering development, ocean monitoring, industrial capabilities, and academic research can come together to support the sustainable growth of #OffshoreWind in Brazil. This is exactly how new industries are built: 🔬 Through science ⚙️ Through technology 🎓 Through education 🤝 Through cooperation I sincerely thank the MCTI team for the productive discussions, technical guidance, and strategic vision on how innovation and international cooperation can support the next stage of Brazil's energy transition. Together, we are connecting #Science, #Technology, and industry to help Brazil become a global reference in FOW #Innovation. 🇧🇷🔬🌊🇯🇵 #ASW #FloatingOffshoreWind #FOWT #ResearchAndDevelopment #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #BlueEconomy #Engineering #Collaboration #WindEnergy #NetZero #ThanksGod

🇯🇵🌊⚓ Offshore Wind in Motion — Episode 5️⃣: Goto FLOATING Offshore Wind Farm Episode 5 of our Japan offshore wind video series takes us to the #Goto FOW Farm, visited on June 19th, 2026. After seeing the #Hibiki floating demonstrator, this final wind farm completed the full picture of Japan’s offshore wind journey. This is where FOW moves from demonstration to commercial reality. 🌊 In Chapter 5, I discussed why Goto is strategically important for the future of FOWT. Today, I want to focus on what impressed me most from an engineering perspective: The SPAR floater. 📌 Goto Floating Offshore Wind Farm (五島市沖洋上風力発電) 🌊 East China Sea, Goto Islands, Nagasaki 📍 ~15 km offshore 🏗️ Floating Hybrid #Spar (steel + concrete) 📏 Water Depth: 100+ m ⚡ Total Capacity: 16.8 MW 🌀 8 × Hitachi Energy HTW2.1MW-80A (downwind) 📐 Rotor Diameter: ~80 m 📏 Draft: ~76 m 📐 Spar Diameter: ~7.8 m ⚖️ Total Weight: ~3,400 t 🪨 Concrete Ballast: ~1,400 t ⚓ 3-point catenary mooring 🏢 Floater Developer: Toda Corporation The greatest advantage of a spar lies in its hydrodynamic behavior. Because most of its structure extends far below the active wave zone, the wave excitation forces become significantly smaller, resulting in very low heave, roll, and pitch motions. What impressed me most in the video? The operational inclination of the spar. In real operating conditions, the floater can operate at an inclination of around 7 degrees. Its deep draft and heavy ballast provide exceptional stability, allowing the platform to maintain very low motions even while operating with a visible inclination. Goto also uses a downwind turbine configuration, where the rotor operates behind the tower — a relatively uncommon choice in modern wind turbines, making this project even more unique from an engineering perspective. Another important aspect is the installation philosophy. The hybrid spar is built in stages: 🏗️ steel upper section fabrication 🧱 concrete lower section integration 🚢 transport by barge 🏗️ upending with a floating crane ⚓ tow-out and mooring hookup This highlights one of the biggest trade-offs of spar floaters: Excellent hydrodynamic performance… but highly demanding installation and port logistics. This was one of my biggest takeaways from Japan: There is no single winning floater. #Barge, #SemiSubmersible, #spar, and #TLP each solve the floating wind challenge differently. The best solution always depends on: 🌊 metocean ⚓ port infrastructure 🏗️ supply chain 💰 economics That is exactly why I feel even more confident about Aura Sul Wind and Raijin Float SS. The future of FOWT will belong to the floaters that best match local industrial ecosystems. 🎥 Episode 5 starts here. What do you want for a final episode? 👀 How is Aura Sul Wind connected with Japan? #FloatingOffshoreWind #FOWT #OffshoreWind #OffshoreEngineering #NavalEngineering #BrazilJapan #RaijinFloat #AuraSulWind JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd. Nagasaki Ocean Academy

🌊🐟 ARVUT and JB Energy Sign Strategic MOU for Environmental and Social Studies of the Aura Sul Wind Project 🇧🇷🇯🇵 🚨 Another important milestone for the Aura Sul Wind Project! On April 29, we officially signed a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Arvut and JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd. in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. The agreement was signed by Kayo Soares, Chief Executive Officer of ARVUT, and me, Rodolfo Gonçalves, Chief Executive Officer of JB Energy. While offshore wind projects are often associated with turbines, floating platforms, and electrical systems, one of their most important foundations is something less visible: environmental licensing and social engagement. Successful offshore wind development depends on understanding the marine environment, respecting existing ocean uses, engaging with local communities, and building strong relationships with regulatory agencies and stakeholders from the very beginning. 🐟 Through this partnership, ARVUT will contribute its expertise in: 🔹 Environmental licensing 🔹 Environmental and social studies 🔹 Physical, biotic, and socio-economic diagnostics 🔹 Environmental impact assessments 🔹 Environmental risk analysis 🔹 Environmental management plans 🔹 Stakeholder engagement and regulatory support Under this partnership, ARVUT will lead the development of the complete environmental studies required by IBAMA to support the Preliminary License (Licença Prévia – LP) of the Aura Sul Wind Project. This collaboration is particularly meaningful because the Terms of Reference (TR) for the project have already been issued by IBAMA, allowing the environmental studies to move forward and bringing Brazil's first floating offshore wind demonstration project into its next phase of development. Our international technology ecosystem continues to grow: 🌊 Raijin Float® Floating Foundation — JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd. 💨 MySE 18.5 MW Offshore Wind Turbine — Ming Yang Smart Energy 📡 Geo-data & Site Characterization — Fugro ⚡ Offshore Power Substation Technology — Hitachi Energy 🔌 Offshore Power Cable Systems — Prysmian 🐟 Environmental and Social Studies — Arvut I am particularly proud to see how quickly this partnership has become a truly integrated effort. Gabriela Joelsas Timerman, and Thomaz Xavier, Dr. Xavier, are already working side by side with the ARVUT team to deliver the environmental and social studies. Beyond supporting environmental licensing, this collaboration will also generate new scientific knowledge. A special thank you to João Pedro Krahe, Vanessa Longaray, Evandro Eifler Neto, and the entire ARVUT team for their trust, technical excellence, and shared vision. I look forward to seeing the first results on this pioneering journey for Brazil. 🇯🇵🤝🇧🇷 #AuraSulWind #FloatingOffshoreWind #OffshoreWind #EnvironmentalLicensing #ESG #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #Brazil #Japan #BlueEconomy #CleanEnergy

🇯🇵🌊⚓ Offshore Wind in Motion — Episode 4️⃣: Hibiki FLOATING Offshore Wind Turbine Demonstrator Episode 4 of our Japan #OffshoreWind video series takes us to one of the most fascinating projects of the entire journey: the #Hibiki #FOWT Demonstrator, visited on June 18th, 2026. After three episodes discussing bottom-fixed offshore wind, this is the moment everything changes. We leave the seabed. 🚨We start FLOATING. 🌊 Today, I want to focus on what impressed me most from an engineering perspective. I discussed why FOW is becoming increasingly important for deep-water countries such as #Japan and #Brazil. 📌 Hibiki FOWT Demonstrator (ひびき洋上風力発電実証機) 🌊 Hibikinada Sea, Fukuoka 📍 ~15 km offshore 🏗️ Floating #Barge-type — BW Ideol Damping Pool® 🛠️ Steel-based floater 📐 Floater: ~45 m × 45 m × 10 m 🌊 Draft: ~7.5 m ⬆️ Freeboard: ~2.5 m 🕳️ Moonpool: ~26 m × 26 m ⚖️ Displacement: ~10,000 t 📏 Water Depth: ~50–55 m 🌀 1 × Aerodyn Ltd SCD 3 MW (2-bladed downwind) 📐 Rotor Diameter: ~100 m ⚓ 8-line spread mooring ⛓️ 132 mm studless chain, 522 m per line 🏢 Developers: Glocal Inc. + BW Ideol + Kanadevia Corporation 🤝 Strategic Partner: Marubeni Corporation 💰 Funding: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 🎥 What struck me most in the video? How little the platform moves. Most people expect large motions when they think about FOW. But even in real offshore conditions, Hibiki remains remarkably frozen. 😱 And the most impressive part? We were on board the platform. Experiencing the floater directly from the deck made it clear how stable the system really is. At times, it was easy to forget we were standing on a floating structure 15 km offshore. 🌊⚓ The massive 26 m × 26 m #Moonpool traps a large water column, increasing added mass and hydrodynamic damping, significantly reducing: ✔️ heave ✔️ pitch ✔️ roll With a 7.5 m draft and only 2.5 m freeboard, the deck sits relatively close to the water surface, meaning that under extreme sea states, the platform may experience green water on deck, making deck elevation and wave loading critical design considerations. Hibiki uses 8 heavy catenary chains, each over 500 m long and capable of resisting extreme loads. What Hibiki teaches us is simple: A FOWT is not just a wind turbine on a floater. It is a fully coupled offshore system combining: 🌬️ #Aerodynamics 🌊 #Hydrodynamics ⚓ #Mooring mechanics 🎛️ controls 🏗️ structural response Now projects like Aura Sul Wind will help show how FOW can scale — combining Japanese lessons learned with Brazil’s world-class offshore engineering ecosystem, especially in floating structures, mooring, and concrete offshore platforms. 🇧🇷🇯🇵 🎥 Episode 4 starts here. Next week: Episode 5 — #Goto #FloatingOffshoreWind Farm, where floating moves from demonstrator to commercial reality. #OffshoreEngineering #NavalEngineering #BrazilJapan #AuraSulWind JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd.

🇧🇷🤝🇯🇵 The University of Osaka Officially Invited to Join the Aura Sul Wind Project! 🌊💨 The #Japan & #Brazil academic network behind the #AuraSulWind Project continues to expand! 🌎📚 On July 15th, I had the pleasure of visiting the main campus of The University of Osaka to meet Prof. Kazuhiro Iijima, Graduate School of Engineering, Division of Global Architecture, and formally invite the university to join the project. ✨ This invitation is especially meaningful. I first met Prof. Iijima through the Brazil-Japan academic collaboration that also connected me with Prof. Tomoki Ikoma (日本大学 - Nihon University) and Prof. Murai (Yokohama National University) when I began my journey at The University of Tokyo. Although that program ended during the COVID years, it created friendships and collaborations that continue to generate new opportunities today. ASW is bringing this outstanding network together once again. 🤝 This was also my second visit to the UOsaka. Back in December 2020, I participated in model tests of FOWTs with flexible columns, alongside researchers and students. Seeing this collaboration evolve into a long-term international project is truly exciting. 🌊 One of Osaka's greatest contributions will be its 100 m × 7.8 m × 4.35 m Ocean Engineering Towing Tank. The facility includes a precision towing carriage and a wave generation system capable of producing regular and irregular waves up to 500 mm high, making it an outstanding platform for offshore engineering research. Even more important for ASW, the laboratory can perform combined wave and current experiments, an essential capability for validating floating offshore wind technologies such as the Raijin Float®. ⚓ What makes ASW unique is that we are connecting the best research infrastructures, not only the best researchers. 🇯🇵 Japan now contributes world-class experimental facilities from The University of Tokyo, 日本大学 - Nihon University, Yokohama National University, and The University of Osaka. 🇧🇷 Brazil brings complementary capabilities through LIFE-UFSC, Numerical Offshore Tank (TPN-USP), and the LAC-Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Together, these laboratories create a truly binational research ecosystem, accelerating innovation while creating outstanding opportunities for student exchange, joint research, and the education of future Master's and PhD students. 🎓🌎 🙏 Thank you, Prof. Iijima, for the warm welcome. I look forward to preparing our MoU over the coming weeks. ✅ Japan Academic Network ☑️ The University of Tokyo ☑️ 日本大学 - Nihon University ☑️ Yokohama National University ☑️ The University of Osaka ⏳ Next stops: Nagasaki University, Kyushu University... 🚀 The network keeps growing—and so does the future of FOW. #FloatingOffshoreWind #OffshoreWind #FOWT #TheUniversityOfOsaka #OceanEngineering #Research #Innovation #Engineering #EnergyTransition #InternationalCollaboration #Academia JB Energy - Japan Blue Energy Co., Ltd.