The WaterWeco® micro-hydropower generation 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 water wheels 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 weirs or similar structures, it can be directly transmitted to the water wheel (the risk of overflow is also extremely low). Additionally, it is possible to ensure fish passages that consider biodiversity (though this 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 measures, 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 presence 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 run-of-river 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 that enables fish to migrate upstream.
Company information
Output corresponds to approximately 5 to 20 kW per unit. Output can be enhanced by installing multiple units. Brief history: From 2009, collaborated with municipalities such as Okayama City, Tsuyama City in Okayama Prefecture, and Miyoshi 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 improvements in power generation efficiency, with support from organizations such as the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Promotion Foundation, and collaborating with Nagasaki University Graduate School of Engineering and Nishinihon Fluid Technology Co., Ltd., a fluid research institution, from 2016 for joint research, CFD fluid analysis, model testing, optimization, product development, and completion of actual machine installation operations, with domestic patent registration in October 2020 (along with approximately 60 overseas patent registrations, WaterWeco® trademark, and design registration for turbine blade shapes). *Effective installation is possible in suitable locations that were previously deemed unfeasible due to overflow risks (low drop height drop structures). ★ Labor-saving: Easy measures against dust and heavy snowfall (no dust removal equipment required): Significant reduction in maintenance costs (initial costs). ★ Automatic layout control mechanism that adjusts to flow rate fluctuations ➢ Stable power generation efficiency during the period. ★ Consideration for biodiversity: Fish passages can be secured even when installed in rivers where fish migrate. ★ Awards and technology registration history: Received various awards including the Eco-Products Award and the Chairman's Award from the Invention Association; registered with UNIDO STePP.