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Renewable Energy

Kazenomatsubara Wind Power Station (Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture)

Striving to Achieve a Decarbonized Society

through Sustainable Energy

The realization of a decarbonized society has been cited as the end goal of “the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” adopted by the United Nations in 2015, and “the Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement” established by the Japanese government through Cabinet decision. Based on the technologies and expertise we have gained supporting the introduction of wind and solar power generating systems, storage battery systems and gas cogeneration systems, we help to cut greenhouse gas emissions and work to achieve this goal on a global scale.

Integrated Wind Power Generation Solutions
from Commercialization Planning to Maintenance Services

To utilize wind power efficiently as electrical energy, it is necessary to ascertain natural conditions such as the amount and direction of wind at the planned installation site, social factors such as power transmission and distribution routes, and the size of the region that will use the energy produced. Hitachi Power Solutions not only builds systems to efficiently convert wind energy into electrical energy, but also provides one-stop solutions that cover everything from pre-introduction support such as research and formulation of wind power generation commercialization plans, to installation, operation and maintenance.

Kazenomatsubara Wind Power Station (Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture

Customer Issues

  • Want to enter the power generating business but need support
  • Have difficulty securing financing
  • Want to choose a trusted wind power generation system

Offered Value and Effects of Introduction

One-stop services for wind power generation businesses

Our wind power generation business does not involve simply selling equipment as standalone products. From commercialization plans to support for financing, site developing including environmental assessments, the construction of power generating equipment, post-launch operational management and maintenance services that incorporate guaranteed operating rates, we provide one-stop solutions and solve business operators' troubles.

Highly reliable wind power generation equipment

Since 1997 when Hitachi Power Solutions started to build its wind power generation business, we have handled the wind power generating equipment produced by the Federal Republic of Germany-based ENERCON, developing the business on a joint basis. Their products, which boast low operating noise, high power generating efficiency and excellent resistance to electrical storms, utilize our variable output absorption and control technologies to smooth out output fluctuations with storage batteries and supply electric power with minimal impact on power systems. A total of 426*1 wind turbines are installed in Japan, giving Hitachi Power Solutions a domestic market share of 16.7 percent, second*2 in the industry.

  • *1 As of April 1, 2020.
  • *2 Calculated based on Japan Wind Power Association
  • “Article 3. Installed capacity as of the end 2019 (by wind turbine manufacturer), Installed capacity of Wind Power generation in Japan ”
    (as of the end of December 2019: flash report)
    http://jwpa.jp/pdf/dounyuujisseki2019graph.pdf

Using Advanced Technological Capabilities and Reliability to Offer One of Japan’s Biggest Wind Power Generation System Maintenance Services

The introduction of wind power generation systems is advancing as the world works to achieve a decarbonized society. In Japan, however, successive wind power generation system-related manufacturers have withdrawn from the market, and the decline in companies responsible for maintaining existing wind power generation systems has become an issue. Hitachi Power Solutions contributes to the stable operation of wind power generation systems by leveraging the expertise and service structure it has developed with the operation and maintenance (O&M) of wind power generation systems produced by ENERCON, together with highly skilled human resources.

Blade Total Service that supports stable operation of wind turbine generators

Maintenance services contributing to wind energy business

Customer Issues

  • Want operating rates to be guaranteed
  • Want to avoid major equipment failures
  • Want to lower operating risks
  • Restoring equipment takes too long
  • Want to entrust work to safety-oriented maintenance personnel

Offered Value and Effects of Introduction

Field capabilities and maintenance agreements tailored to the diverse needs of customers

The strength of our maintenance services lies in the field capabilities of our personnel. Since its founding, Hitachi Power Solutions has been engaged in facility upkeep and maintenance services primarily in the electric power, energy and social infrastructure fields, and we have amassed a wealth of expertise in control and operational technology (OT). What’s more, through EPK(ENERCON Partner Konzept) NIHON, Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA), tailored to the diverse needs of customers, we guarantee operating rates and mitigate the issues and risks that occur in the operation of a wind power generation business.

A service structure offering peace of mind by covering everything up to repairs in-house

At the Remote Monitoring and Support Center located at our head office in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, in Japan, we perform facility monitoring and perform wind power plant operational tasks on behalf of customers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also coordinate with service centers throughout Japan to quickly respond to equipment maintenance and operational needs. Thanks to fully equipped parts centers that stores spare components for wind power generation systems, we have developed a system to ensure the immediate delivery of maintenance components and early restoration of systems. In addition, when major components of wind power generation systems experience trouble, we dispatch maintenance personnel from our service centers across Japan. When more detailed investigations are required, we can perform checks and repairs at our own service plant.
Remote Monitoring and Support Center (Ibaraki Prefecture)

Remote Monitoring and Support Center
(Ibaraki Prefecture)

Parts Center (Ibaraki Prefecture)

Iwamizawa Works

Maintenance of Wind Power Generation Equipment

Enhancing maintenance services through human resource development

Hitachi Power Solutions maintains training centers to develop maintenance personnel for wind power generation systems in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture and Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, in Japan. The Hitachi Training Center in Ibaraki Prefecture was established inside our plant in 2006, in the early stages when wind power generation began to spread in Japan. In addition to classroom instruction, we offer simulations for handling equipment failures, technical training for parts replacement, and safety training including evacuation from high places and emergency rescue. We foster the development of maintenance and inspection personnel with a high degree of safety awareness in an effort to further enhance the services we provide.
Hitachi Training Center (Ibaraki Prefecture)
Training Scene

Power Generation Systems Utilizing Biomass Including Food Waste and Timber from Forest Thinning

Based on “the 5th Strategic Energy Plan” announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on July 3, 2018, initiatives are underway to reach the goal of having renewable energies account for between 22 and 24 percent of the energy mix as part of the energy vision for the FY 2030 in Japan .*1 With demands to ensure that this energy mix is achieved, Hitachi Power Solutions is helping to meet the targets with the introduction of gas cogeneration systems.
  • *1 Source: Agency of Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry “Cabinet Decision on the New Strategic Energy Plan ”
Through our wealth of experience and extensive track record, Hitachi Power Solutions is actively working to introduce gas cogeneration systems that use methane fermentation gas and non-natural gas made by gasifying wood from tree thinning and other sources (renewable energies).

Power is generated using a gas engine that uses fuel in the form of the methane gas produced during the methane fermentation process involving food residue and raw waste that used to be disposed of, or the digestive gas given off by the sludge at wastewater treatment plants.

Power is generated by using fuel in the form of non-natural gas produced by gasifying wood from tree thinning or wood offcuts. In particular, power generation that uses wood as material is planned as an activity that contributes to forestry and the revitalization of regional areas.

Customer Issues  

  • Methane fermentation gas produced from beverage and food plant waste processing is used as steam boiler fuel and utilized as process steam, but excess gas is produced, and the customer wants to utilize it effectively
  • The customer is considering a wood biomass business using timber from wood thinning produced during forestry operations, but power generation with a directly-fired steam turbine is too large and suitable tree thinning wood cannot be gathered. As this business cannot be implemented the customer wants to explore other options.

Offered Value and Effects of Introduction

Support for effectively utilizing excess gas and reducing energy costs

By introducing a gas cogeneration system, in addition to generating power from excess gas, waste heat can also be collected. As the collected heat can be utilized for steam or heated water, it can contribute to energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions. In addition, Hitachi Power Solutions’ systems are able to maintain stable power generating output by switching to mixed-fuel combustion with city gas when methane fermentation gas production is low. This can also help reduce electricity drawn from the grid.

Achieving small-to-medium sized power generation and helping the launch of new businesses

By gasifying wood from tree thinning and using it as fuel for a gas cogeneration system, power generation on a small and medium scale becomes possible. The use of equipment with high power generating efficiency is expected to increase revenue from the sale of electricity under feed-in tariff (FIT) schemes, and also supports employment opportunities and the creation of economic activity. In addition, making effective use of the collected heat also enables further CO2 reductions and contributes to the commercialization of new businesses.