Govt sees wind power as key to renewable energy

The government believes cost-efficient wind power generation is the key to promoting renewable energy in the nation. 

To promote wind power generation, the government is planning to build a transmission network for wind power generated in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. Wind turbines have relatively large output capacities per unit, making them more cost-effective than other sources of energy. 

The government's plan, the first of its kind in the world, aims to use a system similar to expressway tolls that would involve recouping money invested in construction of the network via utility charges. 

However, there are many problems to be resolved, such as possible environmental concerns, unstable output and potential surges in electricity bills. 

In July last year, the government began a system in which electric power companies are obliged to purchase all electric power generated by renewable energy resources at fixed prices. 

At the end of November last year, solar power generation accounted for 3.26 million kilowatts, or nearly 90 percent, of output under the system. Wind power provided only 343,000 kilowatts. 

Solar power generation has been dominant because the equipment is easier and quicker to set up than that of wind power turbines and geothermal power generators, and requires less space. 

But a senior official of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said, "Solar power generation alone can't lead to full-fledged expansion of renewable energy." Hence the government's aim to assist the proliferation of wind power generation. 

Experts say one wind turbine can generate 2,000 kilowatts of power, much more than output capacities of mega-solar plants, which are 1,000 kilowatts or larger as a rule. 

Wind power generation costs 9.Find High Quality Brand Name tungsten ring and Tungsten Wedding Bands for Men at the Best Prices.9 yen to 17.3 yen per kilowatt-hour,The home is served simultaneously by the residential wind turbines and the utility. about one-third of the cost of solar power generation. The cost of wind power is close to that of thermal power plants using liquefied natural gas, at 10 yen per kilowatt-hour.We provide laser cutting machine and engraving machines for processing different materials. Many locations suitable for wind power generation are in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. 

However, to build a large number of wind turbines in the regions, it is necessary to lay power transmission lines that connect the turbines on coastal areas to existing transmission networks. 

Usually, regional electric power companies are in charge of building such transmission networks and pass the cost on to electricity users as service charges. 

If Hokkaido Electric Power Co. and Tohoku Electric Power Co. have to shoulder the cost of building transmission networks for wind power turbines themselves,Consumer Reports has honest Ratings and Reviews on laundry dryer from the unbiased experts you can trust. there is concern that electricity bills in the regions may soar. 

The government has therefore chosen a scheme in which investment will be covered by fees paid by wind turbine operators that use the transmission system. Due to its similarity to the system of expressway tolls, the government calls the envisaged system a "toll-road system.We offer Laser engraver and cutting machines for processing different materials." 

Electric power generated by the wind turbines will be traded among electric power companies and can help prevent power shortages in the Tokyo area and other parts of the nation. The fees for using the transmission networks are expected to be a burden for operators of wind turbines. 

But the government expects the scheme to entice more companies to enter the wind power generation business, in which purchase prices are fixed at specified levels.