Wind Power News: Japan
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Lightning is nemesis of windmills, threatening Japan’s renewable energy campaign
SAPPORO — As Japan moves to shift away from nuclear power, wind power, a potential key player among renewable energy sources, faces a stubborn foe: lightning. Hokkaido hosts 266 windmills, the most among Japan’s 47 prefectures, and about 90 percent of them are located along the Sea of Japan coast, where lightning frequently occurs between fall and winter. But no definite way to solve the problem is in sight and operators of these windmills are struggling to cope with lightning-caused . . .
Firemen left red-faced after hoses too short to extinguish wind-turbine fire in Hokkaido
WAKKANAI, Hokkaido — Firefighters were left red-faced here after their hoses were too short to extinguish a fire in the turbine of a wind power generator in the area, it was revealed. The incident happened at around 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 2 on the premises of the wind power generation company, Sarakitomanai Wind Power Co., in the city of Wakkanai, northern Hokkaido. According to company officials, on Oct. 1 they detected warning signs for their No. 2 wind turbine and . . .
Northern utilities seeking expanded ewind power
Three regional electric utilities said Friday that they will conduct tests aimed at increasing wind power generation in northern Japan. The effort, tentatively scheduled for fiscal 2014, will involve Hokkaido Electric Power Co. (9509), Tohoku Electric Power Co. (9506) and Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501), also known as Tepco. Electric companies use conventional power plants to compensate for swings in output from wind farms. Since both Hokkaido Electric and Tohoku Electric have scant fossil-fuel-based generating capacity, they have little freedom . . .
Wind power quest faces stability, regulatory hurdles
Like steady breeze and ideal sites, utilities’ commitment also eludes. MINAMIAWAJI, Hyogo Pref. — Southern Awaji Island is technically in Hyogo Prefecture. But its location — within sight of Shikoku just across the Inland Sea — bright sunshine, and strong gusting winds give it the feel of a subtropical island. The breezes are especially important, because the city of Minamiawaji, the main population center, is home to a wind farm that sits on a hilly area between 118 and 225 . . .
No rush to turn to renewables
Since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami severely damaged the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, faith in renewable energy sources has spread fast in many corners of the world as an emissions-free means of generating electricity. But placing excessive expectations on renewable energy sources could backfire on the Japanese economy and industry. Major European countries like Germany, Switzerland and Italy have decided to do away with nuclear power. In Japan, major projects have been set afoot in Japan, each . . .
Japan pins hopes on green power laws, risks abound
Japan’s lawmakers have the opportunity to show how strong their support is for boosting renewable power supply to replace nuclear reactors with the passage of a green energy subsidy scheme likely within days. The country is struggling to overhaul its energy policies after the March quake and tsunami triggered a nuclear disaster that shattered the public’s confidence in the safety of the atomic industry and delayed the restart of idled plants. Costly oil and gas imports have soared. There is . . .
Govt to require green impact studies for wind farms
The government plans to make environmental assessments mandatory before any wind power station capable of generating at least 10,000kw can be constructed. The Ministry of Environment on Tuesday released a draft ordinance aimed at adding wind farms to the list of structures regulated by the Environmental Impact Assessment Law. Studies will determine the distance noise can carry and evaluate the impact on the surrounding ecology, including the risk of birds colliding with facilities. The ministry will seek cabinet approval as . . .
Kansai Electric curbs wind farm over noise concerns
A utility in western Japan said on Friday it will limit planned operations at its first wind farm to take account of residents’ concerns about noise, highlighting a snag in the nation’s efforts to encourage renewable energy. Kansai Electric Power Co said it would cut the capacity of the wind farm on Awaji Island, about 70 km (40 miles) west of Osaka, to 14 megawatts using seven turbines, and limit nighttime operations to four of the turbines. The utility, which . . .
Fact-finding study about wind power noise
TOKYO –The Ministry of the Environment has compiled the results of a questionnaire survey it conducted to ascertain the facts of noise and low-frequency sound caused by wind power facilities installed in Japan. Of the 389 sites of wind power facilities nationwide for which responses were received, the survey found that 64 had received complaints about noise and low-frequency sound. The Ministry intends to conduct the survey on an on-going basis and shed light on the facts of noise and . . .
New rules stymie investments in wind power
The government’s new system for promoting renewable energy could ironically dampen the enthusiasm of wind power generation companies to build new facilities. Under the planned system, established power companies will be required to purchase all the electricity generated through renewable sources such as wind and sunlight at prices higher than existing levels. However, wind power companies have been reluctant to invest in new projects because details have yet to be finalized. The purchase price of the electricity, for example, a . . .
