A preliminary study on micro hydraulic power using irrigation water on Sado Island, Japan

A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the potential renewable energy, micro hydraulic power, using irrigation water on Sado Island Japan. Field observations of flow velocities and depth were made on 31 May and 27 June to estimate discharges and power generation during the irrigation. The estimated discharge was 0.1548m3/s and 0.0815 during the plowing/puddling periods and the management periods with the estimated power generations of a total 61.3Wh and 1139.8kWh respectively. Although the former power output for 20 day duration is small, it is of advantage as the average monthly out put of 295kWh is 78% of the average Japanese household power consumption of 380kWh. As the difference of plentiful and low discharges at the Kodomari's farm pond was less than twice (0.1548m3/s~0.0815m3/s), it is possible to make generation by single output generators. A spiral wheel generator was considered the most adequate one on such slope channels, of low water depth and fluctuations in discharge.