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Mr. Paul A. Nelson, who participated in “the International Energy Seminar 'Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing the Disaster-Affected Areas'” (2/3/2012) offered his comments on his participation
Mr. Paul A. Nelson, Senior Advisor of Center for Revolutionary Solar Photocovnersion, from Colorado, participated in the “the International Energy Seminar 'Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing the Disaster-Affected Areas'” on March 2, 2012 sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Ministry of Economy of Japan, Trade and Industry of Japan, and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
Mr. Nelson shares the impression of his visit with us as follows:
"Japan, an advanced, unique, friendly, beautiful and hardworking nation. That description captured my impression of Japanese organizations and companies during my first business trip from the US to Japan, which occurred in late February and early March 2012.
I traveled to Japan to enhance relationships with technology and energy companies and research organizations on behalf of the Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion (CRSP, a joint venture among NREL, three Colorado research universities and leading companies) and its parent organization the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory.
In addition, I was there as part of Governor Hickenlooper’s International Trade Office’s Colorado Ambassador’s program, which aims to expand trade, cultural and scientific exchange between entities and citizens in Colorado and their counterparts in Japan.
I was invited to speak at the International Energy Seminar in Fukushima City by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (through the efforts of the office of the Consul General of Japan at Denver, Dick Clark of Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons and Tom Binet of the Governor’s International Trade Office), which was an excellent opportunity to present the successful Colorado cleantech economy and projects as a model and to learn about the resolve and planning of Japanese citizens to rebuild their communities in the Tohoku Region with smart energy technologies.
I also had the opportunity make a presentation titled Colorado Renewable Energy Forum in Tokyo at the JETRO International Hall (co-hosted by the Japan Council on Renewable Energy and the Colorado Japan Office) and it was well attended by industry and academia.
My attendance at the International Symposium of Innovative Solar Cells at the University of Tokyo was a great opportunity to learn from and engage with top scientists in the solar materials/device field from Japan and around the world.
Overall, I exceeded my objectives for the trip and am already planning a return trip for the second half of 2012. I am looking forward to building further cooperation with Japanese institutions and companies on this visit."
Paul A. Nelson, Senior Advisor, CRSP
Related Links:
- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Summary of results of the International Energy Seminar "Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing the Disaster-Affected Areas"
- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Video Message by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Koichiro Gemba at the International Energy Seminar on "Smart Community Proposals for Reconstructing the Disaster-Affected Areas"