Market Context — Why This Technology, Why Now

The global energy transition demands diversified, resilient power sources beyond intermittent renewables. Wave power, with its high predictability and consistent output, is emerging as a vital solution for grid stability and remote energy independence. Rising sea levels and extreme weather also highlight the need for robust, storm-resistant infrastructure, making this technology's durability a key advantage for coastal and island communities seeking sustainable and secure energy futures.

Key Competitive Advantages
01

Ensures stable operation by efficiently converting wave motion into rotational energy, utilizing a robust transmission body and periodic uneven structure that resists detachment even in rough seas.

02

Reduces manufacturing and installation costs by eliminating complex mechanisms, leveraging the simple relative motion between a buoy and a submerged stabilization unit.

03

Lowers long-term maintenance costs by reducing failure risks and minimizing component count, making it suitable for extended operational periods.

Market Opportunity
Coastal and Island Power Sources
$50M–$100M globally (AI est.)
Stable supply and cost reduction are essential for self-sufficient power in remote areas without developed grids, contributing to regional economic revitalization.
Island utility providers Remote community energy developers Coastal infrastructure operators
Co-location with Offshore Wind Power
$5B–$10B globally (AI est.)
Co-location with existing offshore wind power infrastructure can stabilize power generation and create synergistic effects, improving deployment efficiency.
Offshore wind farm developers Marine energy project integrators Large-scale utility companies
Fishery and Aquaculture Support
$25M–$50M globally (AI est.)
Application to power fishing gear and marine observation buoys can promote efficiency and smartization in fishing and aquaculture, expecting productivity improvements.
Aquaculture technology providers Marine sensor manufacturers Commercial fishing equipment suppliers
IP Defensibility — Why Competitors Can't Replicate This
What This Patent Covers

This patent, with 12 claims, broadly covers the wave power system's buoy, submerged stabilization unit, transmission body, and rotation conversion unit. Its successful registration after overcoming multiple rejections indicates robust protection, particularly for the periodic uneven structure of the transmission body and rotation conversion unit, which provides a clear, difficult-to-circumvent technical advantage.

Competitive White Space

This patent primarily covers the mechanical conversion and transmission aspects of wave power. White space exists in advanced energy storage solutions, smart grid integration, and novel material science for extreme marine environments, allowing licensees to build complementary IP.

Economic Impact
~$165K/year estimated operational cost reduction per facility (AI est.)
estimated ROI · USD · AI analysis
ROI Calculation Logic

Compared to conventional complex wave power systems, this simple structure could reduce capital expenditure by an estimated 20%. It is projected to halve maintenance frequency from four to two times annually, reducing maintenance costs by ~$100K/year (AI est.). Additionally, component replacement costs could be reduced by ~$65K/year (AI est.), totaling an estimated ~$165K/year in operational cost savings.

Speed to Market
4× faster than in-house development
This technology's core components—buoy, submerged stabilization unit, transmission body, and rotation conversion unit—are clearly defined, and its fundamental principles are presumed to be validated. It can be readily integrated with existing marine structures and generator technologies, significantly shortening basic design and prototype development phases. The transmission body's slip suppression mechanism, in particular, leverages proven technology, enabling a substantial reduction in new development time and potentially accelerating market entry.
Competitive Positioning

X: Deployment Cost Efficiency
Y: Power Generation Stability & Robustness

Business Models & Applications
💡 Power Generation System OEM Supply
Supply this wave power generation system as an OEM product to utilities, municipalities, and infrastructure operators. This could reduce initial deployment costs and secure stable revenue through long-term contracts.
⚙️ Power Generation Service (IPP)
Operate as an Independent Power Producer (IPP), constructing and managing power generation facilities to sell electricity directly. This model requires initial investment but offers high returns from long-term power sales.
🤝 Technology Licensing
License this patented technology to other companies, generating royalty income. This model could accelerate widespread market adoption and diversify revenue streams.
Adjacent Application Opportunities
🌊 Marine Observation & Data Collection
Self-Powered Ocean Buoys
Integrating this technology's power generation into marine data collection buoys could create self-powered systems, eliminating battery replacements. This enables long-term ocean monitoring, enhancing efficiency for marine research and fishery support, potentially extending deployment times by 2-3x.
💡 Disaster Preparedness & BCP
Emergency Distributed Power for Disasters
Deploying this system in coastal regions could provide emergency distributed power during grid outages, enhancing local resilience. This ensures community safety and supports business continuity plans (BCP), potentially restoring critical power within 24-48 hours post-disaster.
⚓️ Port & Offshore Infrastructure
Independent Power for Remote Facilities
This system could provide stable power to remote port facilities, offshore aquaculture farms, and lighthouses, eliminating the need for costly transmission infrastructure. This could reduce initial investment by ~30% and operational costs, enabling low-environmental-impact power delivery.
Integration Roadmap — Estimated 18-Month Deployment
Technical Evaluation & Conceptual Design
Duration: 3 months
Assess compatibility with the licensee's existing infrastructure and design the system for specific installation environments. Define technical requirements and conduct initial simulations.
Prototype Development & Validation
Duration: 9 months
Manufacture a small-scale demonstrator and validate its power generation performance, durability, and stability in actual marine environments. Optimize the design through data collection and analysis.
System Optimization & Mass Production
Duration: 6 months
Finalize design optimization based on validation results and establish a mass production system. Set up manufacturing lines and quality control for market deployment.
Technical Feasibility
This technology comprises relatively simple mechanical elements—a buoy, submerged stabilization unit, transmission body, and generator—making it highly compatible with existing marine structure technologies and general-purpose generators. The periodic uneven structure of the transmission body is easy to integrate into manufacturing processes without significant capital investment. Key components specified in the claims are procurable through existing supply chains, indicating low technical hurdles for adoption.
Success Scenario
Implementing this technology could enable companies with coastal facilities to self-generate stable, clean energy year-round. This is estimated to reduce external electricity purchase costs by approximately 20% annually and significantly lower CO2 emissions. Furthermore, its use as an independent power source for remote islands could enhance regional power grid resilience.
Patent Record
APPLICATION NO.
JP2013-005988
REGISTRATION NO.
6273422
FILING DATE
2013/01/17
GRANT DATE
2018/01/19
EXPIRATION DATE
2033/01/17
PATENT HOLDER
江原　春義
Examination History
2013-09-03
Amendment (Voluntary)
2016-01-09
Request for Examination
2016-01-09
Amendment (Voluntary)
2016-10-11
Office Action
2016-11-23
Amendment (Voluntary)
2016-11-23
Applicant's Response
2017-04-04
Office Action
2017-05-02
Amendment (Voluntary)
2017-05-02
Applicant's Response
2017-06-13
Invitation to Amend (Intermediate Document)
2017-06-19
Amendment (Voluntary)
2017-08-15
Invitation to Amend (Intermediate Document)
2017-09-26
Decision to Grant
2022-02-01
Invitation to Amend (Assignment of Rights)
2022-02-02
Amendment (Assignment of Rights)
2023-09-19
Invitation to Amend (Assignment of Rights)
2023-09-22
Amendment (Assignment of Rights)