| The pumped storage hydroelectric plant stores electricity in the form of water.
|
Theme
of the tour:
Potential electricity is held in the form of water that is stored
above a pumped storage power plant.
At a pumped storage power plant electricity is generated hydraulically
when the water wheels are made to turn by falling water. This form
of hydraulic power plant is no different from an ordinary hydraulic
power plant. What makes the pumped storage power plant different
is that water is initially pumped to a height for later electricity.
Thus, since we cannot store electricity it is stored in the form
of water. Dams are constructed both above and below the power plant.
Water is pumped up from the lower dam by using electricity at night
that is more available than during the day. In the daytime electricity
is generated by allowing the water to fall down from the upper dam
generating electricity when we need it the most. In this way we
can play an important part during emergency situations when demand
outstrips supply, such as when a power failure occurs at other power
stations or when power lines are down. This is because we can quickly
turn the motors on and off generating power for short periods. In
the exhibition room, in the ground-facility of the power plant,
you can enjoy learning from the panels and pictures about how electricity
is generated as well as perusing the records that show how the power
plant was constructed. |
| Facility Name |
Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Ohira Electric Power Plant |
| Location |
1196-2 Ayugaeri, Sakamotomura, Yatsushiro-gun
Kumamoto 869-6104 |
| Access |
Approximately 8 km from JR Hisatsu
Line Sakamoto Station (Approximately 12 minutes drive) |
| Parking |
Available （for 5 large-scale buses） |
| Target |
Students (elementary school, junior
high school, high school and university) and adults |
| The number of people able to tour |
Up to approximately one hundred:
approximately 40 people can tour the exhibition room at the same
time. (groups will be arranged if there are more than 40 visitors) |
| Time when the tour is available |
9:00 - 16:00 |
| Time required for the tour |
Approximately one hour |
| Non-business days |
Year-end and New Year’s holidays
(between the 29th of December and the 3rd of January) |
| Notes |
You are not allowed to touch machines.
No barrier free facilities are available. |
| Availability of foreign languages |
No foreign language service is available
so non-Japanese visitors will need an interpreter. |
| Reservation Requirements |
Reservation is necessary. |
| How to apply |
Please make a telephone reservation
a week in advance. (the reception is open except for Saturdays,
Sundays and public holidays) no foreign language service is available. |
| Applications |
Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Ohira Electric Power Plant |
