Concept
Providing energy for
a community in the community
Japan has vast, but unused, potential hydraulic power.
We have aimed for spread of natural energy, especially micro-hydroelectric power generation, and continued to research, develop and implement it with a community for ten years.
Since we started an introduction test of a practical machine in Itoshiro, Gifu, four years ago, we have aimed for explosive spread of micro-hydroelectric power. Then, we developed the screw type pico-hydroelectric generator; “PicoPika”.
We would like you to discover a spot generating hydroelectric power in your community by introduction of “PicoPika”.
※Micro- hydroelectric power ･･･ less than 1000 kW generated
※Pico- hydroelectric power ･･･ less than 1 kW generated
Producing and using practical electric power
at the place close to you
In order to let people know the power of water in a common watercourse, we developed the screw type waterwheel that had the capability to generate electric power even in a super-low head or a small amount of water. The device can generate electric power only by putting it in an agricultural water channel (U-shaped gutter).
Amount of electric power generated by it is 3 to 10W, and the electric power is available for street lamps and electric fences for protection against harmful animals.
With children who will bear the future
The energy problem is one of big tasks for the children’s generation. We hope that children, who will support a community in the future, have an interest of future energy through participation in the activity “PicoPika” as a part of environmental education.
A screw of “PicoPika” is made from a material recycled from caps of PET bottles, which children gathered. At two spots (Nagashima elementary school and Kamiyahagi elementary school, Ena, Gifu) of nine spots we demonstrated, six grade elementary students assembled “PicoPika” and set it up in a watercourse of each school as a part of education. “PicoPika” is available for a teaching material because it is easy to put together.
For the supply of energy in an emergency
“PicoPika” is able to generate electricity by using a small amount of water even in the case that supply of energy is stopped due to a disaster and so on. Therefore, “PicoPika” produecd by students must be useful at evacuation areas, such as school, in an emergency.
