Mitsubishi Corporation

Press Room

March 6, 2012
Marubeni Corporation
The University of Tokyo
Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
IHI Marin United Inc.
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Nippon Steel Corporation
Hitachi, Ltd.
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
Shimizu Corporation
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc.

Fukushima Recovery, Experimental Offshore Floating Wind Farm Project

A consortium made up of Marubeni (project integrator), the University of Tokyo, Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Marine United, Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding, Nippon Steel, Hitachi, Furukawa Electric, Shimizu and Mizuho Information & Research are participating in an experimental offshore floating wind farm project sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

This experimental project consists of three floating wind turbines and one floating power sub-station off the coast of Fukushima. The first stage of this experimental project will begin in 2012 and consists of one 2MW floating wind turbine, the world's first 66kV floating power sub-station and undersea cable. In the second stage of the project two 7MW wind turbines will be added between 2013 and 2015.

Fukushima Prefecture expects this experimental project to spawn a new industry in renewable energy and create employment as part of recovery efforts in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Through this experimental project, Fukushima Prefecture hopes to develop a large wind farm industry. It is understood that one of the most important themes of this experimental project is the coexistence of the fishery industry with the offshore wind farm industry. To ensure this the consortium will work hard to maintain good relations with the local fishery industry through strong communication while at the same time pursuing the commercialization of this offshore wind farm project.

We believe that creating a practical wind farm business scheme through this experimental project could lead to the deployment of large scale floating wind farms in the future. Moreover, taking advantage of the experience and knowledge gained through this, the world's first floating wind farm, this business could be expanded on a global basis and lead to the development of a new Japanese export industry.
 
Table1  Facility Specifications
Facility Name
Scale
Wind Turbine Form
Floating Form
Project Term
Floating Substation
25MVA
66kV
Substation
Advanced Spar
First
Wind Turbine
2MW
Downwind Type
4 Column Semi-Sub
First
Large Wind Turbine
7MW
Oil Pressure Drive Type
3 Column Semi-Sub
Second
Large Wind Turbine
7MW
Oil Pressure Drive Type
Or
Downwind Type
Advanced Spar
Second
 
Table2  Consortium Members’ Main Roles
Consortium Member
Main Rule
Marubeni Corporation
【Project Integrator】
Feasibility Study, Approval and Licensing, Environment, Fishery Industry, O&M, etc.
The University of Tokyo
【Technical Advisor】
Floating Observation, Technical Developing
Mitsubishi Corporation
Feasibility Study, Approval and Licensing, Environment, Fishery Industry, O&M, etc.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Floating Wind Turbine
IHI Marin United Inc.
Floating Wind Turbine
Floating Body for Substation
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Floating Wind Turbine
Nippon Steel Corporation
Steel supply
Hitachi, Ltd.
Floating Electric Power Substation
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
Undersea Cable
Shimizu Corporation
Construction Technology
Mizuho Information & Research Institute, Inc.
Documentation, Committee Operations

Table3 
Experimental Project Marine Area Features
Depth of the Sea
Average Speed of Wind
Max Significant Wave Height
Distance from shore
100 - 150m
Over 7.0m/s
10 - 15m
20 - 40km
 
 

Inquiry Recipient

Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone:+81-3-3210-2171 / Facsimile:+81-3-5252-7705
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