Huge wind turbine snaps in Kyoto, Japan

While it's not extremely rare for such occurrence to happen, you could not help but think about the possibility of lack of maintenance here.

The more wind farms you open up, the higher the chances of failure to happen simply due to the number of wind turbines you erect. Even in Japan where nano-precision and high-technology are daily words and the maintenance mentality is respectable, you can hear that the Fukushima nuclear facilities could have been better maintained.

A windmill lies wrecked in the town of Ine. Photo by AFP/The Japan Times

Anyway, here's what was reported by The Japan Times:

Kyoto wind farm turbine falls after pylon snaps
Mar 16, 2013
A 38-ton wind turbine crashed 50 meters to the ground in Kyoto Prefecture after the steel column supporting it snapped, according to officials.

The massive Dutch-made turbine, which sat atop a Japanese-made steel column, was part of a mountain wind farm. It was put up in 2001 with an expected life of at least 17 years.

“We are asking experts to look into the cause of the problem. We suspect metal fatigue might have played a role,” a local government official said Thursday, adding no one was injured.

The smashed turbine was discovered Wednesday although it is not known when it fell at the remote facility. A strong windstorm struck wide areas of the nation around that time.

Wind farms have sprouted across large stretches of Japan over the last two decades as the resource-poor country seeks to capitalize on its natural bounty.

The drive for alternative energy has intensified since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster started two years ago.

Only two of Japan’s 50 nuclear reactors are in operation and public opposition against restarting reactors remains strong.

India exceeds Renewal Energy targets

The world’s second-most populous country is making the right move in ensuring sustainability of its energy resources, and what better way than by exceeding the targets for Renewables!

As of June 2012 , green power capacity in India is 25 GW:

Wind                  : 17,644 MW
Small Hydro        : 3,411 MW
Biomass             : 1,182 MW
Solar PV            : 1,030 MW
Waste to Power  : 93 MW (urban areas)
TOTAL : 25.4 GW

and by Feb 2013, according to Renewablefacts, total energy generated from renewables is 26.9 GW.

Wind farm in Satara, India. Photo: SUZLON

As reported by Renewable Facts:

During the last 3 years (2009 - 2012), India added 10,431 MW of new renewable energy capacity to its energy mix, against a target of 9,623 megawatts.

India is seeking to generate some 41 gigawatts of power from renewable sources by 2017 (excluding large hydro).

Wind power accounted for the biggest increase, at 8.3 gigawatts, followed by 1.8 gigawatts of biomass, 1.2 gigawatts of solar and 1.1 gigawatt of hydropower.

The current installed capacity of power generation from renewable energy in the country is 26,920 MW. During 2012-13, a capacity addition of 2,005.57 MW has been achieved up to 31.01.2013 against the target of 4,125 MW.

Tamil Nadu is the State with the most renewable capacity at 3,113 MW, followed by Gujarat 2,389 MW, Rajasthan 1,930 MW, Maharastra 1,699 MW, Karnataka 1,394 MW and Andhra Pradesh 408 MW.

India has a comprehensive strategic plan for the development of renewable energy schemes through to 2017 with a view to growing grid-interactive, off-grid, rural and industrial renewable power from a mix of wind, biomass, small hydro and solar power.


TheGreenMechanics' take: Despite the major blackout in India that affected more than 600 million in July 2012, India's RE initiative is still very much an inspiration.

Pakatan offers to top civil service pay and perks announced by PM

Quote this:

“The PAS central committee met and has taken the stand that any announcement made by
 the prime minister will be continued when Pakatan Rakyat runs Putrajaya.”
  - PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa.

Now that the Prime Minister have announced the annual increment to be paid in July 1, and including PDRM and ATM salary scale being raised to be on par with that of the civil service, it is now Pakatan Rakyat's turn to up the wooing game. It was also mentioned that PR will match and improve on any promise by the PM.

While competition is good for consumers (and in this case, the people), pledges and promises must be achievable and fulfilled, otherwise they are nothing more than coffee-shop talks.

I have appended herewith part of what was reported in the Malaysian Insider:-

Datuk Husam Musa. Photo by themalaysianinsider

Pakatan offers to top civil service pay, perks promised by Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 — In an unprecedented move, PAS has moved to pre-empt a last minute campaign by Datuk Seri Najib Razak to woo civil servants by saying that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would match and improve on any promise by the prime minister to raise salaries and allowances.

Najib is expected to announce several initiatives including a pay rise of up to 10 per cent, improved costs of living allowances and housing allowances for the 1.5 million-strong civil service today.

“The PAS central committee met and has taken the stand that any announcement made by the prime minister will be continued when Pakatan Rakyat runs Putrajaya,” PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa (picture) said in a statement carried by the party’s Harakah Daily Online.

He gave three initiatives to be carried out by PR, with the first one to improve on the goodies for the civil service, including promotion for all civil servants, including teachers, Customs officers, police, military and others.

“We will also follow what is done in Kelantan where all housing and vehicle loans for civil servants will not be charged any more with the current four per cent interest rate from the moment PR takes over Putrajaya,” Husam said, adding that there will be a review of existing loans to ensure the government can absorb the financial implications.

The third initiative was to review and increase the tax allowances for civil servants and Malaysians who salaries are low, he added.

Husam noted the low tax allowances for those with wives and children have prevented civil servants and the public to have enough income in the face of high living costs.

Both coalitions are out to court the civil servants, who form a key demographic among the 13.3 million voters who are eligible to cast their ballots in this year’s general election.



Source: The Malaysian Insider