September 11, 2024.
Albatross Technology Co., Ltd.
Power Development Corporation.
Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, Inc.
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd.
Albatross Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Albatross'), Power Development Corporation (hereinafter referred to as 'J-Power'), Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as 'TEPCO HD'), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha'), Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as 'SHI-ME', a subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.), these five companies jointly proposed the 'Feasibility Verification of Large-scale Floating Vertical-axis Wind Turbines' as part of the public invitation for the implementation of the Next-Generation Technology Development to promote the introduction of floating offshore wind power by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and has been selected as the planned implementer.
Expectations for offshore wind power, especially in Japan where shallow seas are limited, are high in the shift towards renewable energy as the main power source. Therefore, the commercialization of floating offshore wind power is being sought after.
In this feasibility study, the feasibility of large-scale commercial vertical-axis (floating-axis) wind turbines that aim to game change the floating offshore wind turbines and rotate together with the float is being verified, and the design for obtaining basic design approval will be carried out. The upsized vertical-axis wind turbines not only achieve the same efficiency as conventional (horizontal-axis) wind turbines, but also have smaller and lower-cost floats. Furthermore, they can be produced with almost the same design even if the water depth and seabed conditions change, which is expected to lead to cost reduction through large-scale deployment.
The five companies are working on the development of floating-axis wind turbines, leveraging their respective knowledge, aiming to make offshore wind power the main power source and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.
Reference (Past press release, May 30, 2023)
"Albatross Technology signs joint research agreement with J-Power/Tokyo Electric Power Holdings/Chubu Electric Power/Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha for the development of floating offshore wind turbines"
Image of an expanded wind farm with floating-axis wind turbines(Provided by Albatross Technology Co., Ltd.)
※1 Albatrostechnology Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director Hiroji Akimoto)
※2 Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director Jun Kaneko)
※3 Tokyo Electric Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and Chief Executive Officer Tomoaki Kobayakawa)
※4 Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director Koichi Akechimi)
※5 Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director Koichi Miyajima)
Multiple implementations (total of two)
Company name | Role |
Albatross | Design of the entire system of the floating axis wind turbine Investigation of the design and manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced materials for wind turbines Consideration of lifecycle cost. |
J Power | Investigation of the certification process for large-scale float of the floating axis wind turbine Analysis and investigation of the supply chain |
TEPCO HD | Establishment of numerical analysis methods for large-scale machinery. |
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha. | Study on installation, maintenance, operation, and cost reduction. Consideration of lifecycle cost. |
SHI-ME. | Research on design and production technology for large-scale machinery. |
(Subcontractor)
Fukui Fiber Tech Co., Ltd.: Technology development for continuous FRP molding.
Innovative Composite Materials Research and Development Center ICC (Kanazawa Institute of Technology): Development of FRP Continuous Assembly Technology.
G.H.Craft Co., Ltd.: High-strength lightweight design of composite materials.
K-Line Wind Service Co., Ltd.: Verification of Offshore Wind Power Related Operations by Ships.
Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering: Analysis of Floating Body Motion Characteristics.
Chubu University: Lightning protection measures.
The University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering: Life Cycle Assessment of CO2 Emissions and Economic Viability.
Tokyo University Institute of Industrial Science: Prediction of Marine Environmental Impact.
