June 29, 2011
Old waterwheels may be hint for Japan’s fresh renewable energy drive
Farmers in a small village in Chikuzen, the old name of a part of Kyushu, southwestern Japan, had frequently suffered from droughts for lack of irrigation. A long spell of dry weather in the middle of the 17th century early in the Edo era especially hard hit the area, prompting the farmers to seriously consider ways to secure water for their fields. They decided to dig an irrigation canal to draw water from the nearby hard to control Chikugo River. Supported by the feudal lord who ruled the area, they completed the canal after years of hard work, but another problem occurred for them; because the northern part of the village was at a higher place, they decided to build waterwheels on the canal to pump up water for supply to the higher farmland. The complex, multiple wooden waterwheels were rebuilt every 10 years or so with some interruptions over the three and a half centuries since then and continued to water the fields and paddies in the village, which is currently called Hishino, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, by using only the power of currents.
The structures with three or two waterwheels tied in a row may provide a hint for Japan’s fresh renewable energy drive, which is drawing strong public attention following the nuclear plant disaster which occurred in Fukushima Prefecture on the heels of the March 11 devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan.
Japan depends on nuclear energy for about a quarter of its electric power production. But Japanese people are becoming aware that they cannot rely on nuclear power so much any longer. At a time when people feel a need to increase the use of renewable energy sources instead of nuclear energy seriously, the unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan pins hopes on a bill to facilitate trade in electricity produced from renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, to keep afloat amid increasing pressure for an early resignation.
The series of waterwheels in Asakura is the sole system of that kind in Japan designed to pump up water for irrigation. The waterwheels, as a nationally designated historical item, have become one of the few tourist spots in the rural area.
With a small watergate built upstream on the canal open from the middle of June to October, the facilities continue to operate in the period. “When the waterwheels started moving, a lot of people came and took pictures here, “ said an old female farmer who runs a souvenir shop.
The largest of the three structures actually consists of three waterwheels with a diameter of 3.98 to 4.76 meters. With 132 dippers altogether, the wheels can pump up 6,100 liters of water per minute.
The nuclear plant crisis has given added impetus to efforts to look for unconventional sources or means to produce electricity throughout the resources-poor country. The waterwheels are free from any costly conventional power source. On top of that, the structures blend well with the surrounding natural environment. They are expected to be a good example for efforts Japan will have to make from now on to build a new, environmentally friendly energy system which can sustain its economy.
Old waterwheels may be hint for Japan’s fresh renewable energy drive
Farmers in a small village in Chikuzen, the old name of a part of Kyushu, southwestern Japan, had frequently suffered from droughts for lack of irrigation. A long spell of dry weather in the middle of the 17th century early in the Edo era especially hard hit the area, prompting the farmers to seriously consider ways to secure water for their fields. They decided to dig an irrigation canal to draw water from the nearby hard to control Chikugo River. Supported by the feudal lord who ruled the area, they completed the canal after years of hard work, but another problem occurred for them; because the northern part of the village was at a higher place, they decided to build waterwheels on the canal to pump up water for supply to the higher farmland. The complex, multiple wooden waterwheels were rebuilt every 10 years or so with some interruptions over the three and a half centuries since then and continued to water the fields and paddies in the village, which is currently called Hishino, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, by using only the power of currents.
The structures with three or two waterwheels tied in a row may provide a hint for Japan’s fresh renewable energy drive, which is drawing strong public attention following the nuclear plant disaster which occurred in Fukushima Prefecture on the heels of the March 11 devastating earthquake in northeastern Japan.
Japan depends on nuclear energy for about a quarter of its electric power production. But Japanese people are becoming aware that they cannot rely on nuclear power so much any longer. At a time when people feel a need to increase the use of renewable energy sources instead of nuclear energy seriously, the unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan pins hopes on a bill to facilitate trade in electricity produced from renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, to keep afloat amid increasing pressure for an early resignation.
The series of waterwheels in Asakura is the sole system of that kind in Japan designed to pump up water for irrigation. The waterwheels, as a nationally designated historical item, have become one of the few tourist spots in the rural area.
With a small watergate built upstream on the canal open from the middle of June to October, the facilities continue to operate in the period. “When the waterwheels started moving, a lot of people came and took pictures here, “ said an old female farmer who runs a souvenir shop.
The largest of the three structures actually consists of three waterwheels with a diameter of 3.98 to 4.76 meters. With 132 dippers altogether, the wheels can pump up 6,100 liters of water per minute.
The nuclear plant crisis has given added impetus to efforts to look for unconventional sources or means to produce electricity throughout the resources-poor country. The waterwheels are free from any costly conventional power source. On top of that, the structures blend well with the surrounding natural environment. They are expected to be a good example for efforts Japan will have to make from now on to build a new, environmentally friendly energy system which can sustain its economy.
