Description
At Naruseto in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan's first demonstration of tidal current power generation using a large generator (the rated power of 500 kW) was conducted. The goal is to realize an environment-friendly tidal power generation system that is compatible with Japan's weather and sea conditions, and to put it into practical use as soon as possible.
Location
Located at Naruseto, Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Licensing Information
A local council was established in 2014. The installation site has been discussed among experts and local stakeholders in the council.
Project Progress
2019: A contract related to equipment rental and construction with a tidal current generator manufacturer was made. The optimal tidal current generator and its support structure, cables, and installation method were designed. The construction method and operation management were examined. Sea area was surveyed communicating with local stakeholders.
2020: A design evaluation conformity certificate was obtained from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. A set of power generation equipment was produced and transported to Japan. Construction plan was approved by the Ministry of Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The installation work and commissioning of a set of power generation facilities were completed.
2021: A pre-use inspection certificate was issued from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Field demonstration test was carried out until December without any trouble.
Papers, Reports, Research Studies
All the reports are available here: https://www.env.go.jp/earth/ondanka/tidalcurrent_pg/
Baseline Assessment: Kyuden Mirai Energy Tidal Power Generation
| Receptor | Study Description | Design and Methods | Results | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Mammals | Marine mammal surveys | Visual observation and A-tag | No mammals were found. | Conducted November 2016, February, May, June, August, and September 2017 |
| Fish | Fish surveys | Remotely operated vehicles and fishing | 20-30 species | Conducted November 2016, February, May, and August 2017 |
| Birds | Bird surveys | Visual observation | 7-12 species | Conducted November 2016, February, May, and August 2017 |
| Invertebrates | Invertebrate surveys | Visual observations and remotely operated vehicles | Many species observed. | Conducted November 2016, February, May, and August 2017 |
| Ecosystem Processes, Invertebrates, Water Quality | Water quality, plankton, larvae and juvenile fish surveys | Water sampling and net surveys | 50,000-580,000 cells/L (phytoplankton), 700-76,000 ind./m3 (zooplankton), 130-73,000 ind./1000 m3 (larvae), 10-3,000 ind./1000 m3 (juveniles) | Conducted November 2016, February, May, June, August, and September 2017 |
| Physical Environment | Current velocity measurements. | Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler | 1.1-1.3 m/s (ave.) to 2.5-3.1 m/s (max.) | October and December 2016 |
| Physical Environment | Underwater noise measurements | Hydrophone surveys | About 85 - 140dB | Conducted November 2016, February, May, and August 2017 |