Horonobe, Hokkaido
Encyclopedia
is a town
located in Teshio District
, Rumoi
, Hokkaidō, Japan
. There is a JR train
station, Horonobe Station
which connects Horonobe-town with other cities in Hokkaido
.
The word Horonobe originates from Poro-Nup. In Ainu language
, poro means large and nup mean grassland, thus meaning a large uncultivated land. At the end of March 2010, the town had an estimated population
of 2,594 and a density
of 4.52 persons per km². The total area is 574.27 km². The north 45o latitude passes through this town. Horonobe is also known for its reindeer
population and wind turbines located on its beaches.
In October 2000, with the help of local government and NEDO
, the Horonobe wind power generation project came into existence. Wind turbines were installed on trial-run basis along the 3.1 km coastal line. Since February 2003, there are 28 turbines working in full capacity, with an individual output of 750 kW. In total its estimated that the wind turbines in Horonobe-chō generate 50 Gigawatt hour of electricity annually and this is supplied to Hokkaido Electric Power Company
for distribution. This electricity is equivalent to annual electric consumption of about 10,000 Japanese households.
Since 1998, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency
started planning an Underground Research Laboratory at Honorobe to be able to conduct tests on the suitability of sedimentary rock for use as a deep geological repository
for Japan's spent nuclear fuel
(a similar research facility in crystalline rock is also being constructed at Mizunami in Gifu Prefecture).. Excavation began in 2003, and is scheduled for completion in 2017. A possibility of making a geological carbon capture and storage
(CCS) site is also under consideration at Honorobe.
, about 53 km in the north. The other nearby airports are Asahikawa Airport
about 199 km to the south and Monbetsu Airport
about 192 km to the south-east and Chitose Airport about 360 km to the south.
Towns of Japan
A town is a local administrative unit in Japan. It is a local public body along with prefecture , city , and village...
located in Teshio District
Teshio District, Hokkaido
is a district divided between Rumoi Subprefecture and Sōya Subprefecture, Hokkaidō. At the end of 2009, the district has an estimated population of 13,937 and an area of 2039.11 km², giving a population density of 6.83 persons per square kilometer.-Towns:...
, Rumoi
Rumoi Subprefecture
is a subprefecture of Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 2004, it had a population of 63,406 and an area of 4,019.97km².-Towns and villages by district:* Mashike District** Mashike* Rumoi District** Obira* Teshio District** Enbetsu** Horonobe** Teshio...
, Hokkaidō, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. There is a JR train
Hokkaido Railway Company
The is one of the constituent companies of Japan Railways Group , and thus often known as . It operates intercity rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a smart card ticketing system, from autumn 2008....
station, Horonobe Station
Horonobe Station
is a train station in Horonobe, Teshio District, Hokkaidō, Japan.-Adjacent stations:...
which connects Horonobe-town with other cities in Hokkaido
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
.
The word Horonobe originates from Poro-Nup. In Ainu language
Ainu language
Ainu is one of the Ainu languages, spoken by members of the Ainu ethnic group on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaidō....
, poro means large and nup mean grassland, thus meaning a large uncultivated land. At the end of March 2010, the town had an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 2,594 and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 4.52 persons per km². The total area is 574.27 km². The north 45o latitude passes through this town. Horonobe is also known for its reindeer
Reindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
population and wind turbines located on its beaches.
In October 2000, with the help of local government and NEDO
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization , also known as NEDO, is Japan's largest public management organization promoting research and development as well as deployment of industrial, energy and environmental technologies. In 2003, NEDO was reorganized as an Independent...
, the Horonobe wind power generation project came into existence. Wind turbines were installed on trial-run basis along the 3.1 km coastal line. Since February 2003, there are 28 turbines working in full capacity, with an individual output of 750 kW. In total its estimated that the wind turbines in Horonobe-chō generate 50 Gigawatt hour of electricity annually and this is supplied to Hokkaido Electric Power Company
Hokkaido Electric Power Company
The , or for short, is the monopoly electric company of Hokkaidō, Japan. It is also known as Hokuden, Dōden, and HEPCO. The company is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange , Osaka Securities Exchange , and Sapporo Securities Exchange....
for distribution. This electricity is equivalent to annual electric consumption of about 10,000 Japanese households.
Since 1998, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
The was formed October 1, 2005 by a merger of two previous semi-governmental organizations. While it inherited the activities of both PNC and JAERI, it also inherited the nickname of JAERI, "Genken" 原研, an abbreviated word for "nuclear research"....
started planning an Underground Research Laboratory at Honorobe to be able to conduct tests on the suitability of sedimentary rock for use as a deep geological repository
Deep geological repository
A deep geological repository is a nuclear waste repository excavated deep within a stable geologic environment...
for Japan's spent nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel is a material that can be 'consumed' by fission or fusion to derive nuclear energy. Nuclear fuels are the most dense sources of energy available...
(a similar research facility in crystalline rock is also being constructed at Mizunami in Gifu Prefecture).. Excavation began in 2003, and is scheduled for completion in 2017. A possibility of making a geological carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage , alternatively referred to as carbon capture and sequestration, is a technology to prevent large quantities of from being released into the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuel in power generation and other industries. It is often regarded as a means of mitigating...
(CCS) site is also under consideration at Honorobe.
Transportation
Horonobe is connected to Wakkanai in the north and Asahikawa in the south by train line Soya line. The nearest airport is Wakkanai AirportWakkanai Airport
is an airport located east southeast of Wakkanai, Hokkaidō, Japan.Wakkanai is the northernmost airport in Japan which is capable of handling jet aircraft; due to its small size, it is susceptible to closures during the coldest winter months, in which case incoming aircraft are often diverted to...
, about 53 km in the north. The other nearby airports are Asahikawa Airport
Asahikawa Airport
, is a single-runway regional airport in Hokkaidō, Japan, straddling the cities of Asahikawa and Higashikagura. It is a second class airport.- Airlines and destinations :-Access:...
about 199 km to the south and Monbetsu Airport
Monbetsu Airport
or , is a third class airport located southeast of Monbetsu, a city in the Hokkaidō prefecture of Japan.MBE is the newest airport in Hokkaidō: it opened in November 1999. The airport was originally used for general aviation flights. Flights were transferred from the original Monbetsu Airport,...
about 192 km to the south-east and Chitose Airport about 360 km to the south.
External links
- Official website in Japanese