Hitachi completed installation of a 5-Mega Watt wind turbine prototype in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture which has the largest blades in Japan. The turbine with each 62 meter-long blade will start generation of electricity this summer followed by a series of tests and demonstration.

The company introduced a downwind rotor, a power generator equipped in the downwind side of the tower, which can reduce wind loading even in the storm and enables cost reduction of foundation work by cutting the total weight. It is aimed that the system will be applied to offshore wind firm development which is expected to grow in the renewable energy market. (2015/03/25)