June, 2024

【Maintenance Report】
The sprockets were replaced at Niimi City Takao ELIS Power Plant, which has been in operation since March 2016.
It has been in operation for 8 years. Micro-hydro power can deliver stable natural energy to local communities over a long period of time, such as several decades or even several hundred years. To achieve this, it is essential to replace such consumable parts in addition to regular maintenance such as oil changes.

February, 2024

WaterWeco®︎ can be equipped with a mechanism that can automatically adjust the angle of water entry to the waterwheel impeller. This mechanism and a remote monitoring system enable the machine to operate almost unmanned.

June, 2023

WaterWeco® on the Uono River waterway in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, was installed in an area with heavy snowfall, so there were concerns (before installation) about snow jamming and whether branches and leaves would get entangled in the waterwheel impeller, even though it is a type (waterwheel) that does not require a dusting device. However, after 9 months of operation, there was no effect of snow jamming and no entanglement of dust in the impeller. In the event of a power failure or abnormal operation of the water turbine, an unusual signal can be sent from the remote monitoring system, and the water turbine is equipped with a built-in UPS, which automatically raises the water turbine.

February, 2021

【Fish-friendly】
In the so-called "unused head power generation", which belongs to the maximum output securable area of WaterWeco, it is thought that there is little environmental impact due to the addition of power generation projects, but we have secured a smooth retroactive "fish road" from the viewpoint of conserving sustainable inland freshwater ecosystems, protecting endangered species, and preventing biodiversity loss. The water wheel rotates at low speed, and can maintain a constant clearance between the water wheel and the chest wall, and the chest wall is designed in a so-called "R shape" with a gentle curve.

November, 2020

Through joint research with the Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, and The West Japan Fluid Technology Laboratory, we have been able to optimize the layout that is less efficient even if the flow rate fluctuates, using impeller that can drain water with high efficiency, which has been conventionally marketed, and numerical analysis of requirements is possible, and it is now possible to predict the optimal operation water turbine layout.
With this technology, stable operation and installation with optimal specifications are possible without changing the configuration of the water wheel itself according to the flow rate fluctuation time peculiar to agricultural waterways [as in the photo].

October, 2019

We were called to an ETV project briefing session hosted by the Ministry of the Environment, and compared the performance of the "ETV Demonstration Water Wheel", which has been selling electricity in full using FIT since March 2016 in the agricultural waterway in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, and the "Newly Developed Breastshot (Under Shot) WaterWeco®" jointly developed with Nagasaki University Graduate School of Engineering and West Japan Fluid Technology Laboratory Co., Ltd. Since the overall efficiency of the newly developed WaterWeco® has improved by more than about 10% compared to the previous model, the sales revenue obtained at the same initial cost will also increase dramatically.

October, 2017

With the support of the "Kirameki Okayama Creation Fund", a promotion service in Okayama Prefecture, we have been working with local governments, companies, and consultancies to optimize water turbine impeller for about 10 years in collaboration with the Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University, a national university corporation with knowledge of wind power generation research and development, a research institute with knowledge of fluid engineering and fluid dynamics, and Nishinippon Fluid Technology Laboratories, Inc. In order to further optimize the "open type fluid water turbine", numerical analysis such as water turbine blade shape, number of blades, blade angle, fluid analysis, and model experiment of hundreds of patterns (pictured) were conducted. The system of "Takao ELIS Power Plant in Niimi City", which we have installed and operated since 2016 (Ministry of the Environment FY2016 Environmental Technology Demonstration Project Small and Medium HydroPower Field Global Warming Countermeasure Technology Field Small and Medium Hydroelectric Power Generation Technology Demonstration Number No.120-000) Has been confirmed to significantly improve efficiency.

August, 2017

Fluid analysis of water openings that water the blades was performed. In addition, model experiments were conducted to verify the effect of water pouring.
It was found that under shot WaterWeco can maximize the power generation effect by installing it by throwing it into a co-shaped waterway.
WaterWeco®'s impeller-shaped pitch flap type water wheel is adopted, but the history that led to the adoption of the flap of the tail edge (the back end of the wing cross section), which can be said to be the biggest feature of the blade, is based on the experience of windmill development (body motion theory). For lift-type horizontal shaft windmills, the use of flaps on the wings increases the drag (resistance) of the stall area, which contributes to breaking the rotation of the impeller. However, in the case of the developed drag type water wheel, when this resistance increases, the force of the reaction leads to an increase in the rotational force of the water wheel as it is. This research and development are characterized by hydrodynamic design of the number of blades and axis output of impeller of high-performance water turbines. In particular, in this research, we developed the optimal shape of blades with flaps of new technology by numerical simulation of flow.

March, 2016

We installed the first micro hydroelectric power generation in Chugoku and Shikoku region (survey information by NHK〖 Japan Broadcasting Corporation 〗) in Takao agricultural waterway, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. It has been in operation for more than 7 years, but we are operating (selling electricity) smoothly. This was the power generation efficiency of 25-30% according to the ETV environmental technology demonstration of the Ministry of the Environment, but the newly developed WaterWeco® achieved more than 40% (with stagnation). In addition, we were able to confirm the output improvement by changing the layout of the water wheel.
(From June 28 to July 8, 2018, torrential rains due to the effects of Typhoon No. 7 and the Rainy Season Front, etc., recorded over a wide area nationwide, mainly in western Japan, including Hokkaido and Chubu regions) Heavy rains in western Japan caused landslides to flow into the waterways, but due to such a simple structure, no damage to the water turbine blades was seen. Since this type is an "open-type fluid water turbine" with a shape close to that of wooden water trucks that have been popular in Japan for a long time, dust is used to pass through water trucks, devise simple screens as a countermeasure against dust, and periodically flow the straw flowing downstream that flows a lot into agricultural waterways. Remote surveillance cameras can also be used to check the status of dust, avoiding wasteful maintenance. In addition, since the system uses remote monitoring technology of LP gas 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, maintenance costs are also very economical. In addition to daily power generation conditions, we have partnered with local LP gas companies to provide peace of mind in the event of an abnormal signal, and we have established a primary response system.

February, 2016

On February 6, 2016, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture signed an agreement with JA Tsuyama (currently [JA Hareno-kuni Okayama]) and ELIS CO., LTD. on a mini hydroelectric power plant newly established by ELIS in the waterway of JA's Kuwadani Power Plant (Kuroki, Kamo-cho, Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture). At the conclusion ceremony held at Tsuyama City Hall, former Mayor Akinori Miyaji, head of JA Tsuyama's Best Loyalty Association, and Jun Kuwahara, Representative Director of Our Company ELIS, signed the agreement. Mr. Miyaji, the former mayor, said, "Mini hydroelectric power generation is expected to be greatly expected in Tsuyama, which is rich in water resources, in order to realize a low-carbon city. We look forward to the spread of new ones in the future. It was said. This project started as a model project for the realization of a self-sufficient energy society. In mountainous areas, gasoline-fueled vehicles are the main means of transportation, but gas stations that have been responsible for filling them with fuel have faced serious management difficulties due to rapid energy conservation, a declining birthrate and an aging population. There is also a blank area with a gas station 30 km one way, and there are many areas that are forced to be publicly managed. Therefore, we have set out to use natural energy such as mini hydroelectric power generation for electric vehicles to provide a permanent model business for a sustainable and environmentally-free society with zero mobile energy costs. In addition, we support cashless payment systems in consideration of the current electricity business law. This assumes that tourists can easily use such small mobility. Small mobility is expected to spread at once when it becomes possible to drive on public roads with two people. It is also effective in securing power supply in the event of a disaster. In addition, car sharing will also be used to improve occupancy rates, and expectations will increase as a sustainable means of transportation for villages in mountainous areas with depopulation, declining birthrates, and aging populations.

August, 2012

At that time, we were not yet specialized in open-type fluid water turbines, and we were also verifying different types of micro hydroelectric power generation. We conducted a demonstration experiment of a fixed propeller water wheel at a fish farm in Kagamino-cho, Okayama Prefecture with Nakashima Propeller Co., Ltd., a propeller manufacturer in Okayama City. After about six months of experimentation, we found that this type (fixed propeller) has a large maintenance cost. There is no problem when using water purification, but in installations in natural environments such as agricultural waterways, it was verified that open-type fluid water turbines, which are difficult to clog and easy to maintain, are very effective.

October, 2011

During the "Head of Origin Summit", where the head of a leading Japanese village gathers at a road station in Shinjo Village, located in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture, micro hydroelectric power generation was installed using the flow water of the creek adjacent to the road station, and an LED lightning display board was installed at the road station to promote the "Head of Origin Summit". It was found to be effective as an emergency power source in the event of a disaster, such as charging a mobile phone. In today's world of unforeseen large-scale disasters, there is a need for a self-sustaining distributed power source of renewable energy that can provide peace of mind to our lives dependent on large-scale centralized power.

March, 2010

At Enokawa Canoe Park in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, we conducted a demonstration experiment with Miyoshi City (Environmental Policy Division) and Reconstruction Research Design Co., Ltd., a general construction consultant. Since it is an area with abundant water resources, there were many such low head and low flow environments. Since this project was a demonstration experiment, there was not enough budget for dust countermeasures, but such an "open type diversion turbine" should have a dust remover that can remove large dust (carcasses of animals). It turned out that it is possible to keep it running all the time without any problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=99LvU7ZIlok

December, 2009

At Nishigawa Ryokudo Park in Okayama City, we conducted a demonstration experiment with Okayama City and Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd. in the "Renewable Energy Endowment Survey Business" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications "Green Decentralization Reform". During the Christmas season, we used electricity generated for Christmas illuminations. Since it is located in a downtown area, it was possible to appeal unused energy to many people on the road, and the generated electricity was used to raise awareness of the environment with a message from the LED electric signboard. Also, since it was a very dark place at night, the electricity generated could be used as a footlight.

October, 2008

As a sales record, it started with a monument turbine for the exterior of an izakaya in Okayama city (a pumped-up water is hung from the top of a wooden turbine, and the generated electricity is introduced on the LED lightning board to introduce the menu of the izakaya). As an effect of the introduction, it was said that it attracted attention because it was a moving monument called a water wheel, and the ability of the izakaya to attract customers was improved. The debut work of my own generator was at a nearby izakaya.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=39CiReZ1cXE

2006

In ２００６, we started the mini hydroelectric power generation (micro hydroelectric power generation) business. At that time, we produced a prototype of pipeline-type in micro hydropower generation and conducted a demonstration experiment at an event in Kagamino Cho, Okayama Prefecture.