Cooperation between TENPES and VGB Members

In the time between 6 and 10 of February 2012 a VGB delegation has visited Japan in continuing the successful cooperation between TENPES and VGB Members of the delegation were: Dr. R. Elsen, RWE; Dr F. Giger, EDF; Dr. G. Stamatelopoulos; EnBW; G. Heimann, Vattenfall Generation; Dr. G. Kinger, EVN; Dr. S. Pasini, ENEL; J. Zizka, CEZ; W. Benesch, STEAG and from VGB secretariat E. Christensen and Dr. F. Bauer.

The atmosphere of the meeting with high level representatives of the Japanese electricity sector very cooperative and open minded. In the following the key outcome of the fruitful discussions is summarized.

• Impact of Tsunami
  The rout to visit the Haramachi power station respectively Sendai power station offered a deep insight on the impact of the Tsunami to the land and the people of the Fukushima prefecture. The amount of destruction is simply huge and raised a big concern by the VGB delegation. We expressed our deep sympathy to the Japanese colleagues.
• • Haramachi
    Haramachi power station is a 2x1000 MW_el coal fired power station. The destruction was tremendous; the Tsunami wave reached up to the third floor. Consequently all the system at the ground level have to be replaced by new components and systems; it is expected that with begin 2013 the restart can be envisaged. A major challenge was the loss of most of the plant documentation.
  • Sendai
    Sendai power station is a 446 MW_el CCGT power station. In December 2011 the power plant could restarted; main reason was the better topological site with less impact on gas and steam turbine.

Finally one can only express our respect in facing the challenges and the work achieved up to now. The engagement and discipline is extraordinary.

• Energy Policy Japan
  The Tsunami has a major impact on the Japanese energy policy. First of all one has to recognize the fact that with May 2012 all nuclear power plants will be shut down for a revision respectively a “stress test”. The public acceptance is fading with a tendency to turn completely; big Utilities as TEPCO or KEPCO are fighting to get back to power their nuclear plants. For ensuring a minimum of security of supply a huge number of emergency supply units - based on Diesel engines - are in operation.
  In political terms the Japanese politics and industry is starting to analyze and to investigate how the future generation portfolio could look like for meeting the targets of security of supply and mitigation of the impact of climate change. As well as the request for more flexible power plants in general and as a consequence of an increased renewables based generation is in the central focus reflection. The reports of the VGB delegation have found great interest referring to these issues.
• Technology Aspects
  Referring to the technological aspects the following can be reported:
• • 600 °C technology
    The new coal fired power stations are based on the 600 °C technology. Referring to the experience with T23 a precursor development of T24 is clearly restricted to the use in the reheater tubes/panels; the rationale behind is that T23 is not applicable to evaporator tubes/panels. The request for the background for that position has given the indications that similar experiences have been made; details could not be gotten. The visit of the Isogo power station in 2010 confirms this fact. The reliability of the plants are good.
  •  700 °C technology
    The Japanese industry with strong support by METI has launched a project for developing the materials needed for the 700 °C technology. Based of several design studies the manufacturers have started to fabricate big components as turbine shafts etc. Operational experience is not yet available; it was also not clear what the plans are to start with projects like COMTES700. Due to the very specific situation in Japan - need for CO₂ reduction and regulated market - the efficiency increase is one of the key options to be pursued.
  • IGCC development
    The development of IGCC power plants is still going on with the goal to have low carbon technologies available at the end. The Japanese experts are aware that IGCC does not fit to the flexibility requirements. Starting with the experience of the Nakoso power stations - also hit by the Tsunami wave - the development is focused on oxygen blown gasifier. 
  • Use of Biomass
    In face of the need to reduce the CO₂ emission the use of biomass is becoming more and more in the focus. In certain regions of Japan indigenous biomass is available; enforcement for the use of biomass is driven by the fact that all the debris from destroyed wooden houses has to be managed. Several projects are in development.
  • Gas supply - LNG
    An alternative for the use of coal and for compensating the reduced generation out of nuclear plants is the use of LNG. Inside Japan one has started to install pipeline systems. The high volume of LNG used for power generation has lead to a negative balance between import/export of Japan.