Small-scale hydropower and geothermal power project implemented in Taitung, Taiwan

A collaborative pilot project in Taitung, Taiwan has successfully produced electricity from the Zhiben Ayawang hot spring resort using a combination of a small-scale hydropower generator and a geothermal thermoelectric generator. Although capacities are small (about 1900 W for the hybrid system), the project as a practical demonstration and educational tool for green energy use and delivers real benefits to the local community.

The project is the result of an industry-academia collaboration between the National Taitung University (NTTU), Tien-Yi Energy Technology Co. Ltd., and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). It was led by Chu Li-min, head of the Department of Green Energy and Information Technology at NTTU.

Spring water is introduced into a reservoir and into the hydropower system, taking advantage of the 18 meters of elevation difference from the reservoir to the thermoelectric generator, which then produces power through a temperature difference. The spring water is cooled and discharged to the resort’s cooling pond. The system can run continuously for 24 hours a day.

Director Chu Li-min stated that he hopes that, through the demonstration project, similar integrated green energy projects can be deployed in more hot spring areas across Taiwan. When combined with power management and energy storage technologies, such systems can be used to dispatch emergency power to support rural and remote areas in the event of power outages. The demonstration project also serves as a green energy education platform, providing the public a tangible example of how Taiwan can utilize its geothermal power and hydropower potential.

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Source: The University Network