Japanese Wind Power Efforts Head Offshore

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Japanese whaling efforts have created a sour spot in many mouths whenever the Japanese are brought up in conversation. No doubt an overgeneralization is not fair upon the entire country, but human nature will not be denied. Unluckily for us all, we are now presented with the “Land of the Rising Sun” making steps forward in wind generated power.

Japan is already home to several land-based wind-farms, generating power for 35,000 homes, in the case of the Nunobiki Plateau Wind Farm north of Tokyo. But so far the renewable energy generation is yet to make a dent in their Kyoto Protocol obligations.

So that is why Japan, following after Europe – the world leader in wind power – is looking to the ocean. Japan is beginning to plan a series of offshore wind farms, that will be able to tap in to the powerful winds of the Pacific Ocean.

“It’s worthwhile entering the sector now as offshore technology is at the cutting-edge,” said Mitsutoshi Yamashita, a Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry official in charge of promoting wind power. “Once we obtain the technology needed, the kilowatts are limitless,” he added.

Japan already has over 1,300 land based wind turbines run by regional governments or by national electricity companies. But these farms are scattered well in to the north or the south, away from the larger population centers. In addition, separated power networks and regional grids add to the problems that harnessing the renewable energy of the wind can cause.

At the moment, much of the electricity generated by wind farms is purchased by the electric companies such as Tokyo Electric Power Co. However analysts believe that soon companies such as Tokyo Electric will build their own farms, offshore, and near larger population hubs.

In fact, Tokyo Electric Power Co is, in conjunction with the University of Tokyo, looking in to the possibility of creating a floating wind-farm, to negate the added costs of building offshore turbines in the deep coastal waters.

Japan faces a tough road ahead by being the world’s third largest consumer of oil, but still being one of the world’s lowest in terms of per capital emissions. As of March 2007, Japan were still 13 percent above the average level it must meet every year in order to meet the Kyoto Protocol.

It is for reasons like this, that Japan is so focused on making wind-power work. Wind power takes the cake over solar power, thanks to the smaller room needed to plant a turbine, compared to fields of solar panels. And nuclear and solar plants require a large investment than wind as well.

But to sum it all up, let’s leave it to a local, Teruyoshi Kimura, 59, former engineer who owns an inn at the foot of Mount Neko; “Wind is a gift. It’s free of charge. So people tend to assume it’s an easy business.”

Reuters via ENN – Japan follows Europe by tapping offshore wind for power

Photo Courtesy of contri via Flickr – Nunobiki wind farm