JAPAN WANTS TO FLOAT WIND

Japan plans floating wind power for Fukushima coast
Yoko Kubota (w/William Hardy), September 13, 2011 (Reuters)

"Japan will join the race to develop floating wind turbines to use in deepwater off its tsunami-stricken northern Pacific coast as it rethinks energy sources after the Fukushima nuclear disaster…It aims to outpace the leaders in the sector in Europe…

"In the next five years, Japan plans to spend 10 to 20 billion yen to install six or more floating turbines off the northeast coast. It will work with firms including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Fuji Heavy Industries…Globally, Norway leads the way on floating turbines with a 2009 pilot project while other countries including Britain and Portugal have studied the technology…"

Norway's prototype, now being tested (click to enlarge)

"Wind power accounts for less than 1 percent of Japan's power demand. A government panel is set to start reviewing as early as this month Japan's energy targets. It had aimed to boost nuclear capacity to meet over half of power demand by 2030 by building 13 new reactors.

"Atomic power helped meet some 30 percent of Japan's power prior to the quake. Only 11 out of 54 nuclear reactors are operating now as reactors halted for maintenance checks have been kept shut…"