Japan: Hitachi to Develop 5MW Downwind Ocean Wind Turbine

As the Japan Times reports, Hitachi Ltd. has announced plans to develop the world’s first 5 MW “downwind” ocean wind turbine.

The downwind type turbine is a wind turbine that is installed with its rotor under the lee of the tower.

Hitachi plans to test the new wind turbine at a plant in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, in fiscal 2014 and it aims to start sales in fiscal 2015.

The company currently has “downwind” Wind Power Generation System which does not exceed2 MW.

After the recent takeover of wind turbine generator system business from Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd, Hitachi plans to become Japanese market leader in this sector.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, July 16, 2012; Image: hitachi