Wind Maps for Japan's 128 Ports Completed in Jan. 2005

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) is producing wind resource maps for 128 ports across the nation to promote the further introduction of wind power generation, utilizing the geographical advantages of port areas. The MLIT had already completed 45 such maps by 2003 and has been posting them on its website since them. Completion of all the maps was scheduled for the end of January 2005.

The wind resource maps show detailed wind data for each area, such as distribution charts of annual and monthly average wind velocity, the annual and monthly power generation potential, annual wind roses (diagrams that show the distributions of wind speeds, and the frequency of the varying wind directions, based on meteorological observations), and wind speed frequency curves. This information will be useful for wind-power companies when they consider launching projects in harbor areas.

Harbor areas have many advantages in wind power generation: strong and stable winds, lower concern about noise and vibration, and easier installation of huge equipment.

Wind power generation has not yet been widely introduced near harbors in Japan, however, despite the advantages of these areas. The number of installed wind-power turbines across Japan reached 735 in fiscal 2003, generating 678,000 kilowatts (kW), of which only 35 turbines were installed in harbor areas, generating 46,000 kW of electricity. Although the proportion is still small, the number of wind-power turbines near harbors has been increasing steadily. The MLIT expected the number to reach 46, with a total power generation capacity of 710,000 kW, by the end of fiscal 2004.

The MLIT is establishing guidelines of administrative procedures for installations of wind-power plants near harbors in order to promote their introduction in those areas. It aims to complete the guidelines by early fiscal 2005.



Posted: 2005/03/24 04:25:35 PM
Japanese version