NO.122 About the power generation experiment by iGP members

On December 21st last year, I had the opportunity to inspect the small hydropower generator that the iGP (Inagi Green Project) members are working on. On that day, the members were present at the site to provide explanations, and I greatly appreciated their assistance.

This iGP is a citizen study group derived from the Inagi IC College course titled "Sustainable Society and the Sun on Earth," which is engaged in activities to create renewable energy to realize a sustainable society. In iGP, we planned to prototype a mini generator and actually operate it. Initially, we developed a small hydropower generator and were looking for suitable locations in the city's rivers and waterways. It was found that the weir of the Omaru irrigation channel in Bunryo Bridge Park is a suitable location due to its water volume and elevation difference, and a request was made to the city for experimental installation.

As a city, we have permitted temporary use because it is not permanent and the impact is limited as there are no residential houses nearby. It was reported that during the first experiment conducted in March 2020, there was a sufficient response felt.

And so, in June of 2020, we continued experiments while making improvements in May, June, September, and October of 2021, and the current form has been developed.

A torque of 5 kilogram-meters was confirmed at the input from the waterwheel to the generator, with a potential power generation of 200 to 500 watts, which is said to be sufficient to cover the electricity consumption of one household.

At the time of the inspection, it was just the season when the illumination organized by the Minami-Tama Station Kirakira Project Executive Committee was lit, and it was powered by this generator.

At iGP, this achievement is being provided as an educational program for elementary school students at Children's Centers and Cultural Centers, and it is hoped to connect it to other uses as well.

I believe it is wonderful that citizen-led courses can lead to the establishment of independent research groups by citizens, further involving more citizens and developing further.

In Inagi City, we have been considering the establishment of a municipal new power company, and we are planning to take action towards its establishment in the fiscal year 2022. The purpose of this is to promote decarbonization, and we are primarily considering the use of solar power panels as a method.

The utilization of small hydropower is considered commercially challenging, but there is a common goal of aiming for decarbonization through citizen participation, and we hope for the start and development of each project.