MHI to Conduct Science Class on Wind Power Generation in Iwaki City, Japan

On December 4 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) will conduct a science class by request at the Iwaki Municipal Onahama Dai-ichi Elementary School in Fukushima Prefecture as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. The class, to be offered to approximately 120 fifth and sixth graders, will provide the students with knowledge about the environment and energy resources, particularly wind power generation, and will include an introduction to MHI’s initiatives in these areas.

Iwaki City is host to a large-scale offshore wind farm demonstration research project, and by providing the local children with an opportunity to learn about wind power generation in detail, the company aims to promote understanding of this field among the local community.

The 90-minute class will be conducted in the school’s gymnasium by an employee of MHI’s Power Systems business headquarters. The first half will discuss global warming and other environmental and energy-related issues in general and will include an introduction to company projects under way in these fields. The second half will focus on wind power generation and will provide the students with an easy-to-understand overview of the principle behind this form of power generation, the various types of wind turbines, and MHI’s initiatives relating to both on- and offshore turbine installations.

The Onahama Dai-ichi Elementary School takes a proactive approach to educating its students about natural resources and energy issues, owing in part to Iwaki’s proximity to defunct coal mines and its deep involvement in coal-fired power generation facilities. In 2012 the school was selected by The Denki Shimbun (“The Electric Daily News”), a newspaper published by the Japan Electric Association, to receive the highest of its 7th Energy Education Awards recognizing schools for their achievements in sustained energy education. It has also been designated by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy as a model school for education in disaster prevention and energy.

A floating offshore wind farm demonstration research project was launched at the national level in 2011 in the waters off Iwaki City to support recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. The project was entrusted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to a consortium of academic and industrial members, including MHI, led by Marubeni Corporation. As the project’s existence became known locally, students at Onahama Dai-ichi Elementary School began taking an active interest in wind power generation, and this interest led to the realization of the forthcoming class to be taught by an expert in this area.

Under the offshore wind farm project MHI is to assemble a floating wind turbine at Onahama port with an output capacity of 7 MW (megawatts). By replying to the request from the Onahama Dai-ichi Elementary School to conduct a science class about this project, MHI looks to forge a close and ongoing relationship with the local community.

One of the pillars of MHI’s CSR activities is to be “a bridge to the next generation,” and in line with this commitment since 2008 the company has been conducting science classes by request all around Japan, especially where its Head Office and works are located, aimed at cultivating children’s interest in science and technology. In addition, starting immediately after the earthquake disaster the company began supporting the disaster region in various ways: transporting emergency relief supplies using its corporate helicopter and jet, providing monetary and material support, performing volunteer work, hosting a charity musical, etc. Its conducting of science classes by request, another aspect of these activities, will continue to be vigorously pursued in the years ahead.

[mappress]

Press release, November 28, 2012; Image: MHI