Japan's J-POWER Upgrades Nanairo Hydropower Plant, Output Increased to 85,800 kW

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Japan's Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER) has increased the output of the Nanairo Hydropower Plant in Wakayama Prefecture from 82,000 kW to 85,800 kW by replacing the turbine runner. After 61 years of operation, the plant's output has been boosted by 3,800 kW without increasing water intake.

In a statement, J-POWER said the blade shape of the new runner was optimized using computer simulations of three-dimensional water flow inside the turbine. The upgrade improved energy conversion efficiency, enabling an output increase of 3,800 kW without altering the licensed water usage conditions, including the head and a maximum intake of 140 cubic meters per second.

The plant is located at the Nanairo Dam in Kitayama Village, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture. The dam, measuring 200.8 meters in length and 60 meters in height, began operation in July 1965.