R&D Projects

D-1　FEWIND Project

(Ferris Wheel Type Wind turbine )

Innovative large capacity wind turbines will be studied. Today, most popular wind turbines for power generation consist of three FRP blades, a generator with reduction gear contained in a nacelle mounted on top of a tower.
However, with this configuration larger wind turbines above 5MW in capacity have various limitations due mainly to both static and dynamic mechanical strength.
A completely new type of large capacity wind turbines will be studied to realize a capacity of 10MW or more. The new construction will use multiple blades, a rotating shaft supported at both ends, and a main support frame that is constructed of steel plates and pipes, just like a Ferris Wheel.

D-2　WAVER Project

(Wave Energy Recovery for Electricity Generation and storage )

Japan is surrounded by the sea and ocean energy is a precious domestic natural resource. Yet in Japan wave energy is not utilized and it is not officially counted as a “ renewable energy ” source. Analyzing past projects in Japan, a completely new type of wave energy utilization, with a more direct and effective energy conversion system, will be studied.

D-3　ACOTEC Project

(Advanced Coordinated system for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion )

OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) has been tried for some decades and still not commercially realized yet. By examining past projects, a new approach of OTEC will be studied to coordinate and utilize other heat sources in power plants such as waste heat of flue gas, cooling water, etc.