Milestones:Taum Sauk Pumped-Storage Electric Power Plant, 1963 and Milestones:Mount Fuji Radar System, 1964: Difference between pages

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Mount Fuji Radar System, 1964

Mount Fuji, Japan, March 2000 - IEEE Nagoya Section

Completed in 1964 as the highest weather radar in the world in the pre-satellite era, the Mount Fuji Radar System almost immediately warned of a major storm over 800 km away. In addition to advancing the technology of weather radar, it pioneered aspects of remote-control and low-maintenance of complex electronic systems. The radar was planned by the Japan Meteorological Agency and constructed by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

Due to its geographic location, Japan has four distinct seasons and, therefore, enjoys a variety of weather. However, the effects of sudden climatic changes, such as heavy snow, rain and typhoons, can be disastrous.

Forewarning of impending adverse weather conditions is extremely important, and Japan has expended considerable effort in setting up an adequate and accurate forecast and warning system with regard to meteorological changes.

Ten years had gone into the development of weather radar and in work on the associated network, and though the system was near completion, it still lacked sufficient points for observing ocean areas. The detection of typhoons heading directly toward Japan from 600 to 700 kilometers offshore therefore was the next step in achieving effective observation.

Thus, even considering the many difficulties anticipated, the value of this project of installing a high powered radar system on the summit of Mt. Fuji (elevation 3776 meters) was unquestionable.

Severe climatic conditions also presented many obstacles to the realization of this project, as its success depended on transporting approximately 500 tons of material to the summit of the mountain during the three summer months.

From the beginning of the work of installation, many difficulties were overcome through the efforts of everyone concerned and the use of newly developed methods. The project was completed on 1 October 1964 and the installation is still in operation.

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and by installing a radar site on its summit, typhoons could be observed in any direction within a range of 800 kilometers.

- "Weather Radar on the Summit of Mt. Fuji," Toshiya KASHIMOTO, Hideo UEDA
Mitsubishi Denki: Engineer, January 1967, Pages 37-50

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-== Taum Sauk Pumped-Storage Electric Power Plant, 1963  ==
+== Mount Fuji Radar System, 1964  ==
-[[IEEE Saint Louis Section History|IEEE St. Louis Section]], Dedication: September 2005&nbsp;
+Mount Fuji, Japan, March 2000 - [[IEEE Nagoya Section History|IEEE Nagoya Section]]
-''The Taum Sauk Plant, when it came on-line in 1963, was the largest pure pumped-storage electric power plant in North America. Other pioneering features for this pumped-storage plant were its high capacity turbine-generators and its ability to be operated remotely, 90 miles away, from St. Louis, Missouri.''
+''Completed in 1964 as the highest weather radar in the world in the pre-satellite era, the Mount Fuji Radar System almost immediately warned of a major storm over 800 km away. In addition to advancing the technology of weather radar, it pioneered aspects of remote-control and low-maintenance of complex electronic systems. The radar was planned by the Japan Meteorological Agency and constructed by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.''
-'''The plaque can be viewed in the visitor's center at the plant, just outside of the Johnson Shut-Ins State Park, off State Highway N, Missouri.'''
+Due to its geographic location, Japan has four distinct seasons and, therefore, enjoys a variety of weather. However, the effects of sudden climatic changes, such as heavy snow, rain and typhoons, can be disastrous.
-The Taum Sauk Plant, when it came on-line in 1963, was the largest pure pumped-storage electric power plant in North America, producing 350 MW of power. Other pioneering features for this pumped-storage plant were its high capacity turbine-generators and its ability to be operated from a remote location 90 miles away in St. Louis, Missouri.
+Forewarning of impending adverse weather conditions is extremely important, and Japan has expended considerable effort in setting up an adequate and accurate forecast and warning system with regard to meteorological changes.
-The Taum Sauk Project is located in the Ozark Highlands on the east fork of the Black River 90 miles southwest of St. Louis, Missouri. Project construction began on 1 June 1960 and the plant's two reversible pump-turbines went into commercial service on 20 December 1963. The project is used primarily to meet daily peak power demands by drawing water from the 4,350 acre-foot captive upper reservoir through the turbines. The water is then pumped back to the upper reservoir from the 6,500 acre-foot lower reservoir at night when power demand is low. The upper lake is 92 feet deep, kidney shaped, with a 55-acre surface area, is one and one-quarter miles in circumference and holds 1.5 billion gallons of water.
+Ten years had gone into the development of weather radar and in work on the associated network, and though the system was near completion, it still lacked sufficient points for observing ocean areas. The detection of typhoons heading directly toward Japan from 600 to 700 kilometers offshore therefore was the next step in achieving effective observation.
-Full automation of the generating units and their auxiliary systems from the control room of the Osage Hydroelectric Plant, which is 100 miles away, has been achieved by push button start and stop control utilizing the utility’s microwave system. Loading and unloading of the units is accomplished by remote control from the Load Dispatchers office in St. Louis.
+Thus, even considering the many difficulties anticipated, the value of this project of installing a high powered radar system on the summit of Mt. Fuji (elevation 3776 meters) was unquestionable.
+Severe climatic conditions also presented many obstacles to the realization of this project, as its success depended on transporting approximately 500 tons of material to the summit of the mountain during the three summer months.
+From the beginning of the work of installation, many difficulties were overcome through the efforts of everyone concerned and the use of newly developed methods. The project was completed on 1 October 1964 and the installation is still in operation.
+Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and by installing a radar site on its summit, typhoons could be observed in any direction within a range of 800 kilometers.
+- "Weather Radar on the Summit of Mt. Fuji," Toshiya KASHIMOTO, Hideo UEDA<br>Mitsubishi Denki: Engineer, January 1967, Pages 37-50
 == Map ==
-{{#display_map:37.32703, -91.02427~ ~ ~ ~ ~Taum Sauk Power Plant, Reynolds County, Missouri, U.S.A.|height=250|zoom=10|static=yes|center=37.32703, -91.02427}}
+{{#display_map:35.686871, 139.756363~ ~ ~ ~ ~Mount Fuji, Shizouka Prefecture, Japan|height=250|zoom=10|static=yes|center=35.686871, 139.756363}}
-[[Category:Energy|{{PAGENAME}}]]
+[[Category:Environment|Radar]] [[Category:Radar|Radar]] [[Category:Meteorological radar|Radar]] [[Category:Fields, waves & electromagnetics|Radar]] [[Category:Microwave technology|Radar]] [[Category:News|Radar]]
-[[Category:Pumps|{{PAGENAME}}]]
-[[Category:Power_generation|{{PAGENAME}}]]