Fuji Heavy Launches Test Run of 2 MW Wind Power System

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan has been conducting a demonstration test of its newly-developed two-megawatt wind generation system since the beginning of 2006. The prototype of the system, called Subaru 80/2.0, is installed in Hasaki, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is designed to go well with the environment and social infrastructure in Japan as it is expected to be mainstream in the domestic wind power market.

The three-bladed wind turbine has a controllable pitch and is 62 meters in height from the ground to the center of the rotor, which has a diameter of 80 meters. It can generate electricity at a wind velocity of three meters per second or more. It was manufactured by Hitachi Ltd. which jointly worked for the development.

Since it is a downwind-type turbine with the rotor placed on the lee side of the tower, it can use wind energy blown up often in mountains and hilly areas efficiently and therefore generate more power output than the conventional types. It has also an advantage in safety and strength because loads on a tower and a generator can be reduced when hit by typhoons or gusts.

Stricter lightning-resistant specifications than the international standards were adopted to greatly reduce troubles and accidents caused by lightning, which is common in coastal areas along the Japan Sea in winter. Moreover, components can be dismantled, making the equipment easier to transport to an installation site than conventional one-megawatt systems. The easy-to-transport feature makes not reduces transportation costs, but also enables installation of two-megawatt power systems where previously it would have been impossible.
http://www.fhi.co.jp/english/

Posted: 2006/03/31 11:59:05 PM
Japanese version