General incorporated foundation Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
497ｍ
480ｍ
458ｍ
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445ｍ
375ｍ
345ｍ
Around 300m
Around 250m
497m altitude
Lightning Observation
At a height of 497m on the Tower(at the base of the Antenna gain tower ), a measuring instrument called a Rogowski coil is installed to measure the current waveform (time change of current value) of lightning strikes on the TOKYO SKYTREE , allowing for 24/7 observation of lightning strikes on the Antenna gain tower. Lightning monitoring is essential for the operation and disaster prevention of the Tower , so the project began during the Tower construction to be completed in time for the TOKYO SKYTREE 's completion in March 2012. The research objective of lightning observation targets lightning countermeasures for all ground structures, and by directly measuring lightning strikes and accumulating observational data, we are working to clarify the characteristics of lightning that occurs in the plains on the Pacific side of Japan.
Around 300m high
Lightning Observation
The lightning current measurement data taken at a height of 497m is transmitted as an optical signal to an indoor measurement room about 200m lower and stored in a recording device. Lightning observations are fully automated and unmanned throughout the year. However, data is collected from the measurement room periodically, such as after a lightning strike.
Air quality observation(ended in December 2020)
From August 2013 to December 2020, Air quality observation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), ozone, PM2.5, and other elements were conducted at a high altitude of approximately 300m, unaffected by the ground environment. The results were used to construct air quality models for understanding air pollution and developing countermeasures.
About the Research
- It has been a long-held aspiration of Japanese lightning researchers to directly observe lightning current waveforms in locations like TOKYO SKYTREE, where lightning strikes occur concentrated about 10 times a year, and to accumulate further statistical data on lightning. (The probability of lightning striking urban areas of Tokyo, such as Sumida Ward, is said to be about 2 times per square kilometer per year. TOKYO SKYTREE, with its approximately 10 lightning strikes per year, can accumulate a large amount of data.)
- Because lightning is a natural phenomenon, lightning strikes vary in size each time. Therefore, it is necessary to statistically analyze and understand the magnitude of the current, the time it flows, and the energy it generates. This lightning observation data is used to consider how to protect all above-ground structures from lightning. It is also used to reduce the damage caused by power outages.
- Even today, lightning countermeasures around the world are based on data observed on a Swiss mountain more than 50 years ago. In the future, by replacing this with lightning observation results from TOKYO SKYTREE, we aim to realize rational lightning countermeasures tailored to the characteristics of lightning in Japan.
