juwi Shizen Energy Operation Inc., which specializes in the operation and
maintenance (O&M) of renewable power plants, reached a cumulative total of 500 MW in O&M contracts throughout Japan in August 2021.
As a specialist in the operation and maintenance of renewable power plants, jSEO has been providing world-class O&M services at a total of over 100 solar and wind power plants throughout Japan since launching its business in 2013. In August 2021 jSEO reached a total of 500 MW in cumulative total contracts (the equivalent of usage by 219,000 households1) as well as over 300 MW at sites where O&M has already begun.
Exemplary projects
jSEO handles maintenance and operation of multiple extra-high voltage solar power plants, including Kagoshima Kirishima Solar Power Plant in Kagoshima Prefecture (operating since 2016, output: 20 MWp) as well as Iwakuni Yuu Solar Power Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture (operating since 2021, output: 23.5 Mwp) which went into commercial operation in July of this year. In the next few years, jSEO also expects to begin providing O&M services at extra- 2 high voltage solar power plants in the Kanto and Tohoku areas in particular. One of the characteristics of O&M in the Tohoku area is that services must include the removal of snow that covers the solar panels. jSEO will also be rolling out measures to reduce power generation loss due to snow at other large power plants such as Akita Odate Shizen Energy Solar Power Plant in Akita Prefecture (operating since 2015, output: 2.2 MWp) and Osato Solar Park in Miyagi Prefecture (operating since 2019, output: 28.8 MWp).
The company also started service at the Shibushi Matsuyama 1st, 2nd, 3rd Solar Power Plant (output: 2.2MWp) solar sharing (farm-based solar power generation) project that the Shizen Energy Group developed in Kagoshima Prefecture in April of this year. jSEO will continue offering services tailored to diversifying power generation businesses in Japan, including roof-mounted equipment at plants and facilities.
Providing services for stable operation of power plants over the long term
As weather phenomena have become more severe in Japan as well in recent years, disaster prevention and mitigation measures have been a particularly high-interest topic in areas where power plants are located. In addition to remote monitoring 365 days per year (2), jSEO also implements civil engineering measures to be ready for disasters. Working together with the asset management business of Shizen Energy (3), jSEO is continuously striving to boost the value of renewable power plants as assets that can be used safely and long-term. 3 Contributing to sustainable power systems -Dealing with renewable energy curtailment since immediately after Japan’s first domestic curtailment went into effect in 2018 in the Kyushu area where many operating power plants are located, jSEO has been accumulating expertise in dealing with the curtailment. For supply and demand adjustment, jSEO is also actively making proposals for switching to online adjustment which offers benefits in the business of power plant operations as well and is carrying out replacements (4).
With increasing numbers of solar power plants going into operation throughout Japan, the possibility for future curtailment in the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Chugoku, and Shikoku areas has already been announced. Increasing demand for timely responses to systems requirements is therefore expected. jSEO will be leveraging its accumulated experience in new locations, supporting both the proper operation of renewable power plants and their linkage with power systems.
