【ゆっくり解説】山奥地下500mで稼働するモンスターマシン【葛野川発電所】

Summary

The script delves into the intricacies of water supply systems in high-rise buildings and the impressive mechanical engineering behind them, particularly focusing on the Andogawa Pumped Storage Power Plant in Japan. It explains how multi-stage pumps are used to deliver water to great heights and highlights the plant's 700m water lifting capability using state-of-the-art pumps. The video also explores the construction of the power plant's massive underground tunnel and the innovative techniques used to manage water pressure. The script concludes with a discussion on the significance of pumped-storage hydroelectricity as an energy-efficient method and the potential for Japan's cutting-edge technology to be utilized globally.

Takeaways

• 💡 High-rise buildings use powerful pumps to deliver water to the upper floors, sometimes requiring multiple pumps for very tall buildings.
• 🚰 These pumps can handle extreme heights, with some capable of sending water up to 700 meters, as seen in specialized facilities like the Kasukawa Hydroelectric Plant.
• 🏔️ The Kasukawa Hydroelectric Plant in Yamanashi Prefecture uses a pumped-storage system to manage water between two reservoirs for power generation.
• ⚡ The plant's effective drop between reservoirs is 714 meters, the highest in Japan, which contributes to its significant power output.
• 🚀 The facility's underground system is vast, with tunnels stretching around 8.8 kilometers to maximize the effective drop and power generation.
• 🔧 The construction of the plant involved advanced tunneling techniques, including using tunnel boring machines to carve out the underground passages.
• 🔩 The water pressure pipes are reinforced to handle the high pressures, with special measures like using concrete to distribute pressure to the surrounding rock.
• 🛠️ The underground space housing the power generation equipment is enormous, requiring meticulous construction to ensure stability and safety.
• 🔋 The plant serves as a large-scale energy storage facility, using surplus electricity during low-demand periods to pump water back to the upper reservoir.
• 🌍 Kasukawa's pumped-storage technology represents a significant advancement in renewable energy, with potential applications and interest growing worldwide.

Q & A

How are water supplies managed in very tall buildings?

In very tall buildings, powerful pumps are used to pressurize water up to the top floors. Depending on the building's height, multiple pumps may be installed at various levels to form a multi-stage system.

Can a single pump supply water to the top of a skyscraper like the Tokyo Skytree?

Technically, a single pump could supply water to the Tokyo Skytree, but it's not common in regular buildings due to the impracticality and inefficiency of such a setup.

What is the purpose of the pumps at the Nagano River Dam?

The pumps at the Nagano River Dam are used to transfer a large volume of water to a height of 700 meters every second, showcasing Japan's advanced mechanical technology in water management.

What type of power plant is the Nagano River Hydroelectric Power Station?

The Nagano River Hydroelectric Power Station is a pumped-storage power plant located in a remote mountainous area of Yamanashi Prefecture, which uses the difference in water levels to generate electricity.

How does the pumped-storage system at the Nagano River Power Station work?

During peak electricity demand, water is released from the upper reservoir to the lower one to generate power. The water used for power generation is then stored in the lower reservoir and pumped back up to the upper reservoir during off-peak times using surplus power from other sources.

What is the effective head difference between the upper and lower dams of the Nagano River Power Station?

The effective head difference between the upper and lower dams of the Nagano River Power Station is 74 meters, which is the highest in Japan among all types of hydroelectric power stations.

How are the dams of the Nagano River Power Station laid out in relation to each other?

The upper and lower dams of the Nagano River Power Station are positioned approximately 88 kilometers apart, a layout designed to maximize the effective head difference for power generation.

What is the significance of the tunnel at the Nagano River Power Station?

The tunnel at the Nagano River Power Station is crucial as it allows water to flow rapidly from the upper dam to the lower dam, utilizing the significant head difference to generate power.

What special considerations were made for the water pressure pipes in the tunnel?

The water pressure pipes in the tunnel are made of high-strength steel with a thickness of up to 94mm to withstand the large water pressure. They are also embedded in concrete to distribute the pressure to the surrounding rock.

What is the scale of the underground space at the Nagano River Power Station?

The underground space at the Nagano River Power Station is enormous, with a height of 54 meters, a width of 34 meters, and a length of 210 meters, requiring careful and step-by-step excavation.

How was the underground space at the Nagano River Power Station excavated?

The underground space was excavated in steps from the ceiling downwards, with each step reinforced with concrete and anchored to stabilize the walls and prevent collapse.

What challenges did the engineers face when developing the pumps for the Nagano River Power Station?

Engineers had to develop pumps with higher rotational speeds than conventional ones and ensure they could withstand the extension forces and friction heat from high-speed rotation. They also had to predict and manage the vibrations that such high-specification pumps would generate.

Why were additional units planned for the Nagano River Power Station but not immediately implemented?

Plans for additional units were put on hold due to a slowdown in electricity demand growth. It wasn't until 2014 that the fourth unit was finally operational, although the combined cycle remains incomplete.

What is the potential future for pumped-storage hydroelectric power like the Nagano River Power Station?

Pumped-storage hydroelectric power is gaining attention as an effective means of energy utilization. There is a global trend towards reinforcing this type of power generation, and Japanese-developed technologies are expected to play a significant role internationally.