■Alongside solar power, wind power is gaining attention as a clean energy source.

■Alongside solar power, wind power is gaining attention as a clean energy source. According to the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan’s exploitable wind power resources amount to 25 million kilowatts; it is estimated that utilizing all of this could cover 20% of Japan’s annual electricity generation. In recent years, large-scale wind power projects aimed at selling electricity have become increasingly common in some regions, partly as a means of revitalizing local communities. However, on the other hand, examples of installing small-scale wind turbines in homes or commercial buildings—similar to solar power—are still rare. While the lack of established subsidy programs is a major factor, the limited number of domestic manufacturers handling small-scale wind power equipment is also a contributing reason. Amidst this situation, Zephyr Co., Ltd., the company we are introducing here, has shipped a cumulative total of over 15,000 units since it began selling small-scale wind power systems in January 1998. We spoke with Takeshi Sakura from the Marketing Department. ● Small-scale wind power offers opportunities for startups to enter the market. The company was established in June 1997 as a firm specializing in renewable energy products. It was founded by Ryosuke Ito—who previously served as president of Sansui Electric, a manufacturer of amplifiers and other equipment—along with three colleagues after he left the company. Ito had long been interested in the natural environment and sought to launch a business in that field. “While renewable energy encompasses solar, hydro, and wind power, we chose wind power first because ‘there are already many major manufacturers in solar power and solar thermal energy, which puts us at a disadvantage as a startup. On the other hand, hydroelectric power is limited to specific areas due to water rights on rivers, making it a niche business. Therefore, since there were few major manufacturers in the market and no regulatory restrictions on wind power, we decided to target small-scale wind turbines.” We spent seven months preparing between the company’s founding and the product’s market launch in January 1998. During this time, we focused on marketing and product development. The base model for the company’s small wind turbine is the micro wind turbine from Southwest Wind Power (Arizona, USA)—a die-cast aluminum unit with a rated output of 400W at a wind speed of 12.5 m/s. We considered designing the unit from scratch, but due to financial constraints and, more importantly, the time required to develop the necessary expertise regarding durability and safety, we compared products from various manufacturers on the market and selected Southwest’s model, which already had a proven track record of 20,000 units in operation worldwide. Additionally, since small wind turbines are often installed in urban areas and private homes, we wanted to pay close attention to their appearance and form. In that regard, this micro wind turbine was the perfect fit. ● Modified for the Japanese Market and Sold as a Complete Package Southwest Corporation manufactures only the wind turbine units themselves; they do not sell them as pre-assembled components ready for immediate use. We import them in unassembled form and, through various modifications, sell them as the “Zephyr” model. “While some trading companies in Japan import the units directly from Southwest and sell them as-is, I believe we have an advantage in terms of system integration, product warranty, and after-sales service.” The company’s flagship models—the EC0-10, 20, 30, 40, and 50—are hybrid systems combining wind and solar power. They consist of a wind turbine, monocrystalline silicon solar modules (manufactured by Siemens), a battery to store the generated electricity, a controller, a high-efficiency inverter, a switching system that automatically switches to commercial power when eco-generated electricity is insufficient, and roof towers for installing each generator on the roof. They are packaged so that power generation can begin the very day they are installed. For example, the EC020, priced at 434,000 yen per system, combines a 400W wind turbine with a single solar module, resulting in a rated output of 455W. Assuming an average daily wind speed of 6 m/s for 8 hours and a solar module output of 190Wh (daily average), the effective daily power generation is 20kWh. The largest model, the EC0-50 (2,106,800 yen), features four wind turbines and eight solar modules, resulting in a rated output of 2,040W. “Depending on the season, there are times when the wind doesn’t blow much, and solar power generation isn’t possible at night. However, by using a hybrid system, the two sources compensate for each other’s shortcomings, so I believe it is efficient when viewed over the long term.” Additionally, the original product had exposed aluminum, which could develop white rust over time. Furthermore, Japan has regions with harsh weather conditions, such as snow and rain, depending on the area and season. Therefore, taking Japan’s unique installation environments into account, we have applied three layers of a special fluororesin coating (tetrafluoromethyl monomer). This coating is effective against ice and snow buildup, salt damage, and acid rain. On the other hand, while the sound of propellers cutting through the wind is often a concern with wind turbines, this model’s propellers are inherently narrow, so the noise is comparable to the rustling of nearby trees and causes no discomfort. Furthermore, to address the low humming sound generated by the generator inside the unit as it rotates, we have inserted a Zephyr-original vibration-damping coupler—made of the same hard rubber used in Shinkansen railroad ties—between the unit and the mast that secures it. Additionally, when installing the unit on a roof, we place vibration-damping insulators made of the same material between the unit and the roof to suppress resonance. “That said, during typhoons and similar events, the rotation speed increases significantly, so noise will be generated. In such cases, you can use the controller to forcibly slow down the rotation.” ■Starting in September 1999, we also introduced “Eco Insurance,” a facility liability insurance service for our products. This service is provided in partnership with Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance and covers up to 50 million yen per incident if the equipment is damaged by a typhoon or similar event and causes harm to a third party. Zephyr covers the full cost of the premium for the first year; users are responsible for the cost starting from the second year if they choose to continue the coverage. “This decision was made based on our assessment that installations in urban areas will continue to increase. While we have never experienced such an accident before, the peace of mind provided by this coverage in case of an emergency is likely a factor contributing to the expansion of adoption.” The company’s wind turbines are also installed on the vessel “Moltz Mermaid II.” While sales were initially focused on residential use, commercial models now account for nearly 60% of shipments. In addition, there are many cases where 10 or 20 units are installed together at a single location. Just the other day, we delivered 30 units to the "Tenshi Land" amusement park in Miyagi Prefecture. Government agencies sometimes request an estimate of how much power the system will generate in advance, and in such cases, we calculate this using wind data from the Japan Meteorological Agency. As for the motivation for installation, commercial users often aim to enhance their corporate image, while residential users frequently install them for hobby-related purposes, such as powering garden lighting or audio equipment. Recently, there has also been a growing demand for standalone emergency power sources in both commercial and residential settings. “In fact, since the major earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan, we’ve seen a sharp increase in inquiries, particularly from the Tokai region. We’ve also received requests to increase the capacity of batteries and inverters so that rice cookers can be operated.” Geographically, installations are particularly prominent in Hokkaido and Kyushu, regions with favorable wind conditions and a high proportion of single-family homes. More than a year and a half has passed since sales began, and as awareness has grown, inquiries from clients have increased. We currently have a sales network of over 60 authorized dealers nationwide and plan to expand this further. In addition, we sell kits at stores like Tokyu Hands, and some people purchase them with a DIY mindset, assembling and installing them themselves. ■ At present, it is rare to see small wind turbines operating in urban areas. However, in terms of both capacity and price, wind power holds the same potential as solar power. By adopting a hybrid approach like this company’s—where the two technologies complement each other’s shortcomings to enhance overall performance—there is ample potential for wind power to gain widespread adoption alongside solar power. In the small-scale wind turbine sector, where few companies have yet to fully commit to business expansion, this company is steadily solidifying its position.