Pico Hydro Pilot Project Starts in Fukui Prefecture

Fukui Prefecture in Japan announced on July 11, 2012, that it will conduct a pilot project in 4 locations in the prefecture using pico hydro (hydroelectric power generation of under several hundred watts) powered by domestic water for communities in semi-mountainous regions. The local communities and various organizations have cooperated to install power generators at the end of simple water work systems, in an irrigation canal, and in a mountain stream. The generated power will be used, for example, for lights in seedling nursery facilities and for outdoor lights on hot spring premises.

Through this project, the prefecture aims to develop their own power unit for pico hydro and to promote local revitalization, as well as to encourage environmental education for children.