Use of the metaverse to advance wind power generation projects

¹ Mitsui Consultants Co., Ltd., 2-1-2 Benten, Osaka city, Japan
² FORUM8 Co., Ltd, 2-15-1 Minatoku Tokyo, Japan
³ University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku Toyoma pref., Japan

^* Corresponding author: harada@mccnet.co.jp

Abstract

In recent years, considering global efforts to use renewable energy to combat climate change, the promotion of wind power generation in Japan has become crucial. Due to the limited land area available for wind power deployment, it is imperative to enter into consensus with stakeholders and local communities when such endeavors are planned. However, the prediction and management of environmental changes associated with this type of project represent substantial technical challenges. In this study, we developed a visualization technique utilizing virtual spaces, one of the recent metaverse technologies, and a shadow prediction technology for wind power generation facilities. To understand the effectiveness of these visualization materials, we constructed a model that dynamically visualizes the timeline of the construction process for floating offshore wind power generation. The effectiveness of the model’s visualization platform was evaluated through a questionnaire survey conducted with 15 business operators. The survey results indicated a 3.5-fold improvement in understanding of the construction details and project impact using our visualization method.