Furukawa Nikko Power Generation Inc. Hydroelectric Plant Upgrades Complete
- Plants to begin providing surplus power using renewable energy -
Furukawa Nikko Power Generation Inc. (Nikko, Tochigi; representative: Yoshihiro Suzuki), a member of the Furukawa Electric Group, has completed upgrading its aged Uwanoshiro Power Plant, and has begun trial generator operation. These upgrades have increased the total power generation capacity of Furukawa Nikko Power Generation to 19,200 kW (normal) or an approved maximum of 30,110 kW. In addition to supplying power to the Furukawa Electric Group, Furukawa Nikko Power Generation will begin providing surplus power to power companies under the renewable energy feed-in tariff system (FIT system).
Background
Furukawa Nikko Power Generation owns a total of seven hydroelectric generators spread across its four power plants (Umamichi Power Plant, Setoyama Power Plant, Hosoo Power Plant, and Uwanoshiro Power Plant). Furukawa Nikko Power Generation supplies power to companies such as Furukawa Electric Nikko Works under "designated supply(Note 1)" and contributes to manufacturing clean copper strips, wire/bar products, and superconducting products with little CO2 emission.
Uwanoshiro Power Plant has been in operation since it was built over 77 years ago. Although it has been periodically maintained and upgraded to ensure safe operation, its water tank, generator, and other equipment have continued to age and it became necessary to upgrade its power-generating facilities from a medium long-term perspective.
Content
Furukawa Nikko Power Generation has recently completed upgrading the main equipment (such as water tanks, generators, and control panels) in its aging Uwanoshiro Power Plant, and will begin trial operation in September of this year. Operation is scheduled to begin in November of this year.
In addition to supplying power to Nikko Power Generation Nikko Works, these upgrades will allow the Uwanoshiro Power Plant to begin supplying power under the FIT system, by separating from the Furukawa electric supply system and connecting independently with the TEPCO electric supply system.
The Setoyama Power Plant has already received approval as a FIT facility, and is currently being upgraded with the goal of supplying power from January 2017.
Although Furukawa Nikko Power Generation's power plants use "run-of-the-river hydroelectricity(Note 2)" they take advantage of Lake Chuzenji's abundant and stable water supply as well as the steep geography of the area and are just as efficient as dam-style plants. Furukawa Nikko Power Generation will continue its efforts to supply as much green energy as is possible using water power and to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases.
Capital Investment Overview
Uwanoshiro Power Plant
Capital investment amount: Approx. 1.2 billion yen
Upgrades: Hydroelectric generator, water turbine generation foundation, control equipment/distribution boards, transmission-transformation power facilities, etc.
Output: 3,900 kW (normal), 5,920 kW (max)
Electric energy generation: Approx. 42,000 MWh per year (roughly enough to provide power to 11,600 standard homes)
Setoyama Power Plant
Capital investment amount: Approx. 600 million yen
Upgrades: Water turbine generator, water turbine generation foundation, control equipment/distribution boards, etc.
Output: 600 kW (normal), 746 kW (max)
Electric energy generation: Approx. 4,000 MWh per year (roughly enough to provide power to 1,100 standard homes)
Overview of Furukawa Nikko Power Generation Hydroelectric Plants
(note 1) Supplying energy to organizations with capital ties, personal relationships, or close relationships with the supplier, with approval by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
(note 2)Directly using water from rivers in generating hydroelectric power, without storing the water first in a regulating reservoir or the like.
About Furukawa Electric Group
Furukawa Electric (TSE; 5801, ISIN; JP3827200001) Group started business in 1884, when its copper-smelting facility and wire manufacturing factory was established. Since then Furukawa Electric has become pioneers in the latest technologies by addressing diverse technological issues. Furukawa Electric has released products in a number of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, and construction, with the three types of materials it works with at their core, namely, optics, plastics, and metals. Many of these products have attained the top global market share, and all of its products have contributed to society in numerous business areas. Furukawa Electric reported consolidated revenues of JPY 867.8 billion (approximately USD 8.2B) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
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