Japan Experimental Floating Wind Turbine Update

The Japanese consortium participating in an experimental offshore floating wind farm project sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry since March 2012, reports that the installation work of 2MW downwind-type floating wind turbine, 66kV floating power sub-station, extra-high voltage undersea cable and the dynamic cable at the testing area (1st phase) have been successfully completed and have now commenced operations.

The experimental study of the 2MW downwind-type floating wind turbine, 66kV floating power sub-station has just begun. Its evaluation will be effected through the collection and analysis of meteorological data, hydrographic data and performance data to be obtained during the experimental study. In addition, the group is targetting the method of operation and maintenance of the offshore floating wind farm at the same time.

At the 2nd phase, the 2 unit of 7MW oil pressure drive-type floating wind turbine will be installed within fiscal year 2014 and the total capacity of the offshore floating wind farm will be 16MW, making it the world's biggest floating offshore wind farm.

During this experimental study that will be carried out until the fiscal year 2015, the consortium intends to achieve the following aims:

• The creation of an offshore wind-related industry

• Development of offshore wind facilities as Japan's new export industry

• Coexistence of the project with commercial fisheries

The government sponsored consortium comprises: Marubeni (MARUF) (project integrator), the University of Tokyo (technical advisor), Mitsubishi (MBI.F), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHVYF), Japan Marine United, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, Hitachi (HTHIY), Furukawa Electric, Shimizu (SHMUF), and Mizuho Information & Research.