| Asami Sato | Hydro Turbine Dept., Power Systems, |
| Keiichi Goto | Generator QA & Inspection Section, Electric Power System & Equipment QA Dept., Power Systems, |
The surrounding environment needs to be considered in the planning, design and construction of hydroelectric power stations, from the perspective of environmental conservation. Unit No. 2 of the Otori Power Station, which was installed by J-POWER (Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.) began operating in June 2003. The power station is located on the existing Otori Dam, which is in far upstream on the Agano River. The dam is used as an upper reservoir, and an additional 87,000-kW Kaplan turbine-generator was installed next to the existing 95,000-kW Kaplan turbine-generator. The Otori Power Station is located in the Echigo Sanzan Tadami Quasi-National Park, which is surrounded by a rich natural environment. As the construction area is close to an area that is a breeding ground for rare raptorial birds, construction was carried out to mitigate its impact on the environment as follows: (1) Locating the main structures underground to minimize changes to the above-ground environment; (2) Stopping above-ground construction work during the nesting period for local predatory birds; (3) Effectively utilizing waste products emitted from the construction work. The attention paid to this project indicates new directions in the construction of future hydroelectric power stations.
hydroelectric power, Kaplan turbine and generator, environmental conservation, Otori Power Station, commissioning
