University of Tokyo Announces Some New Kind of Wind Turbine. We Think.
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12.14.05
Where would we be without RSS? we wouldn't find out about new developments like this Joint Venture between Tokyo Power and the University of Tokyo to develop floating turbines that seem to be on some kind of interconnected structure. The Google Autotranslation is entertaining but not particularly illuminating. Can anyone help? ::Nikkeibp via ::Akihabara News
apparently, it's a joint research project looking into the feasibility of open-ocean, floating turbines in the Kanto sea (i.e., off the coast of Tokyo/central Japan). It'll test materials, construction techniques, maintenance methods, and safety/engineering aspects as well as run simulations and modelling of economic viability.
The reason they're considering floating turbines is because turbines anchored to the sea floor are prohibitively expensive and difficult to build. Plus, that limits the possible sites for placement to shallower zones near the shore. Wind power generation is also, of course, limited to where the wind blows consistently/reliably, and so they're looking at open-ocean because they think that's where the wind is.
All in all, though, it's a 15-month basic research project to evaluate the concept.
The basics of the article: Tokyo Electric Power Co and Tokyo University are engaged in a joint research project regarding the possibility of building wind turbine generators on floating structures 10km or more out at sea. Building on the sea bed in deep water has thus far been problematic. Floats would allow siting in deep water locations.
The article states that the aim of project is not to fix a construction date but to look into the feasibility of such a structure.
They'll be looking into materials, stability in high seas, methods of maintenance etc.
The project will run until March of 2007 and has a budget equivalent to slightly over 500,000 USD.
A T Davis, Ashizuri, Shikoku, Japan