抄録
Most of the conventional hydraulic turbines have been used for those sites having the static head larger than around 1 m. To extensively utilize not only large hydro-power but small one, development of an energy conversion system being operable under an extremely low head stream is crucial. A flapping-foil micro hydroelectric generator which works based on the lift acting on the flapping foils in a stream is proposed. An experimental apparatus with symmetric foils of 150 mm chord and 400 mm span was designed to generate average power output of 25 W at a flow velocity of 1 m/s. Through the tests carried out in the circulating water channel, the performance of the generator was verified to satisfy the design specifications. Further, the demonstration field tests by using an irrigation stream performed for 16 months clarified the performance equivalent to that in the in-door water channel and the durability to a certain extent, and showed the applicability to the practical use of lighting the LED street lamp in a park during night.
