The WaterWeco® micro-hydropower system, which offers unprecedented ease of maintenance and stable power generation even in low head and low flow environments.
Sustainable decentralized energy suitable for the natural environment WaterWeco® can generate stable power with minimal fluctuations through its unique patented mechanism, day and night, throughout the year. This initiative involves installing waterwheels in agricultural and industrial waterways scattered across various regions to effectively utilize natural energy. By conducting repeated demonstration experiments with numerous municipalities, universities, and research institutions, we mainly handle systems ranging from a few watts to 20 kW per unit. In wide waterways, it is possible to increase power generation by increasing the number of units through parallel installation. Since the mechanism does not negate the kinetic energy of water with structures like weirs, it can be directly transmitted to the waterwheel (the risk of overflow is also extremely low). Additionally, it is possible to ensure fish passages that take biodiversity into account (which requires prior ecological understanding and consultation with experts, depending on the species).
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basic information
- The unique mechanism eliminates the need for waste disposal devices and countermeasures, making initial and maintenance costs economical. - The unique mechanism significantly reduces the risk of overflow and effectively utilizes kinetic energy. - The unique mechanism ensures the creation of fish passages, taking biodiversity into consideration. - The unique mechanism maintains stable power generation efficiency even with fluctuations in flow rate. - Research and development have achieved higher efficiency compared to conventional types. - The unique IoT system allows for the affordable introduction and operation of remote monitoring devices.
Applications/Examples of results
Agricultural irrigation channels, industrial water, and power generation discharge water, etc.
Detailed information
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When installing small hydropower generation systems at rapid flow structures or drop structures, it is essential to consider biodiversity by ensuring that fish migration is not obstructed. WaterWeco® has a structure that utilizes only the surface layer of water for power generation, allowing for clearance for fish to migrate upstream.
Company information
The output mainly supports a range of 5 to 100 kW. Due to unitization, parallel installation is possible. (Note: Strength calculations may be necessary depending on the flow rate.) Brief history: From 2009, collaborated with municipalities such as Okayama City, Tsuyama City in Okayama Prefecture, and Miri City in Hiroshima Prefecture, as well as consulting companies for feasibility studies (demonstration experiments), owning power generation and self-consumption facilities, conducting long-term operational tests, and improving power generation efficiency, with support from the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Promotion Foundation and Nagasaki University Graduate School of Engineering, a fluid research institution, and Nishinihon Fluid Technology Co., Ltd. for collaborative research, optimization, product development, and completion of actual machine installation operations. Patents were registered in October 2020 (including other overseas patents in Europe and the United States, the WaterWeco® trademark, and design registration for the water turbine blade shape). *Installation is possible in suitable locations where installation was previously impossible due to overflow risks. ★ Labor-saving ➣ Easy measures against debris and heavy snowfall (no dust removal device required) ➢ Significant reduction in maintenance costs (initial costs). ★ Automatic layout control mechanism adjusted to flow rate fluctuations ➢ Stable power generation efficiency during the period. ★ Consideration for biodiversity ➣ Even when installed in rivers where fish migrate, fish passages can be secured. ★ Awards and technology registration history: Various awards including the Eco-Products Award and the Chairman's Award from the Invention Association, and registration with UNIDO STePP.