Despite assertions by its detractors that wind energy would not survive an earthquake or tsunami the Japanese wind industry is still functioning and helping to keep the lights on during the Fuksuhima crisis.
Mr. Ueda, the leader of the International Committee of the Japan World Power Association & Japan Wind Energy Association, confirms that most of the Japanese wind turbines are fully operational and indeed providing a large portion of people with electricity. Mr. Ueda continues to say “that electric companies have asked wind farm owners to step up operations as much as possible in order to make up for shortages in the eastern part of the country.”
Eurus Energy Japan says that 174.9MW with eight wind farms (64% of their total capacity with 11 wind farms in eastern part of Japan) are in operation now. The residual three wind farms (Kamaishi 42.9MW, Takinekoshirai 46MW, Satomi 10.02MW) are stopped due to the grid failure caused by the earthquake and Tsunami. Satomi is to re-start operations in a few days. Kamaishi is notorious for tsunami disaster, but this wind farm is safe because it is positioned high in the mountains about 900m from sea level. As the world begins to see the potential danger associated with nuclear power, will countries start to develop and invest in wind power?
Title: Wind Farms Survive Japan Disasters Unscathed and Are Stepping Up Operations to Provide Power to Devastated Country
Publication: Huffington Post via Alternet.org, March 17th, 2011
Author: Kelly Rigg
Faculty Evaluator: Elaine Wellin, Sonoma State University
Student Researcher: Taylor Falbisaner, Sonoma State University