Proposals for the popularization and establishment of community-based Micro-Hydropower generation systems

Abstract

To popularize and establish renewable energy in a specific region, a micro-hydropower generation system was introduced in the Kuno River in Kuno, Odawara, Japan. With the goal of local supply and consumption of regional energy, suggestions for installation procedures, hardware and methodology that could be implemented by local residents are required. This study’s aim was to verify the specific installation procedures, proposed hardware and methodology. Investigations of energy-use plans, estimation of power generation potential, selection of appropriate technology and introduction of a micro-hydropower generation system were carried out. The procedures adopted exhibit an effective way of introducing a micro-hydropower generation system s to the region.