Japan's First Micro-Hydropower System Marketed

In September, 2005, Shinko Electric Co., a Japanese manufacturer of industrial machinery, put the "Liter Hydroelectric System" on the market. This system can generate electricity even with a flow of only several liters of water per second. It is the first of its kind in Japan, and can harness water energy in small streams in the mountains or foothills to supply electricity to households, livestock operations, or construction sites in remote locations.

Two models are available: one with a generating capacity of 1 kilowatt and the other with a 0.5 kilowatt capacity. Both are extremely compact, measuring 540 x 450 x 500 mm. A water flow of only two to 10 liters per second is needed for the 0.5 kW model to generate electricity. Installation is simple, involving only the attachment of two hoses to the main unit for intake and discharge of water. Water conveyed through the intake hose turns a wheel in the main unit to produce electricity.

The maximum output of the 0.5 kW model is 500 W at a flow rate of 10 liters per second and a head drop of 10 meters. This means that the unit, under favorable conditions, can generate enough electricity to power an average household, as the average monthly electricity consumption of a family of four is estimated at 290 kWh (about 9.3 kWh per day; 390 W per hour). The 0.5 kW model is priced at about 980,000 yen (about U.S.$8,670) and the 1 kW model at about 1.45 million yen (about U.S.$12,800), not including installation costs.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Association for Water Energy Recovery was established on July 16, 2005 to promote micro-hydropower use, and the deregulation of laws governing water rights is now under way. Shinko estimates the potential for micro-hydroelectric generation at 3 to 4 million kW in Japan, a country rich in water resources, and expects that the demand for micro-hydropower systems will grow significantly in the near future.

http://www.shinko-elec.co.jp/eng/index_a.htm
- Micro-Hydropower Promotion Council Established (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/1107-e

Posted: 2006/01/27 09:13:26 AM
Japanese version