Smart World: News from Japan on Renewable Energy, Healthcare, and ICT: 2013-08-11

2013/08/17

Fuji Hensokuki's Improved Speed Increaser for Microhydro

Fuji Hensokuki in Gifu, Gifu prefecture, has developed a new product of speed increaser for microhydro power generator.

The company said that the speed increase efficiency of the new product is as high as more than 90% and that it makes less noise thanks to its original gear technology.

For the moment the increaser costs 220 thousand JPY for a 5.5 kW scale generator.

International Business Times: 2013/08/12 23:15
http://jp.ibtimes.com/articles/47870/20130812/1376316904.htm
Fuji Hensokuki (in English)
http://www.fujihensokuki.co.jp/english/

Microhydro Station Started Operation in Yunomae, Kumamoto

Kumamoto prefecture completed the construction of a microhydro power station in Yunomae town.

This is the second mycrohydro in the prefecture after one in Aso city.

The investment was 40 million JPY and the annual generation will be 35.5 thousand kWh.

Nishinihon Shimbun: 2013/08/15 01:35
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/kumamoto/article/33083

Sojitsu to Construct Solars of 106 MW in total

The trading company Sojitz in Tokyo will build four solar staions of 106 MW in total.

The four sites are:
　　　-Nishiki town, Kumamoto (13MW)
　　　-Mihama town, Aichi (13MW)
　　　-Rokkasyo village, Aomori (71MW)
　　　-Koshimizu village, Hokkaido (9MW)

The total investment is estimated to be 35 billion JPY.

Sojitz has already operated 24 MW solar in Germany, but for the company this is the first megasolar project in Japan.

Smart Japan: 2013/08/14 11:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/14/news035.html

SB Energy's 3MW Solar to Start Operation in Yaita, Tochigi

One of the two facilities in SB Energy's solar power station (4.6 MW in total) has been completed and will start operation on 23rd in Yaita city of Tochigi prefecture.

The output capacity of the first section is 3.0 MW.
And the facility is adjacent to Sharp's Yaita Solar Power Station (2.3MW).

Smart Japan: 2013/08/16 11:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/16/news010.html

2013/08/16

Food Service Watami to Build 15 MW Solar in Hokkaido

The food service giant Watami is going to install a 15 MW solar station in Atsuma town of Hokkaido prefecture.
The investment will be 5 billion JPY.

The company also intends to develop purchase networks of foodstuff with local municipalities in Hokkaido.

Nikkei: 2013/8/16 0:30
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDD150JO_V10C13A8TJ0000/

2013/08/15

2.1 MW Solar Started Operation near Huis Ten Bosch

The dutch-fashioned theme park Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo city of Nagasaki prefecture started operation of its new 2.1 MW solar power station.

The station is located in an old car park at 2 km north-west from the attraction.

8,400 solar panels were installed at the angle of 10 degree.
And all the electricity to be generated will be sold to Kyusyu Electric Power.

Smart Japan 2013/08/15 07:00
http://www.itmedia.co.jp/smartjapan/articles/1308/15/news015.html
Huis Ten Bosch: Press Release (in Japanese)
http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/aboutus/pdf/130810_htb12.pdf

2013/08/14

JX Nippon Oil and Energy to Build Megasolars in Fukushima, Akita, Okinawa

JX Nippon Oil and Energy announced that it would build three megasolar stations at its idle lands in Fukushima (1 MW), Akita (4 MW), and Okinawa (1.2 MW).

This makes the company to run six megasolars (22 MW) in total.

EIC net via Nikkei BP: 2013/08/08
http://www.eic.or.jp/news/?act=view&serial=30688&oversea=0
JX Nippon Oil and Energy
http://www.noe.jx-group.co.jp/english/

Hiratsuka Tech High Won Solar Car Race 3 Times in Row

In the solar car race hold at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie prefecture, Hiratsuka Highschool of Science & Technology from Kanagawa prefecture won the overall championships three times in a row.

The final race took place on 3rd, which was a 4-hour endurance race.
The champion team has achieved a new record of 46 laps (5.8 kM per lap), one more lap than last year's record by itself.

Asahi: 2013/08/13 0:43
http://www.asahi.com/edu/articles/TKY201308120450.html