NTT DOCOMO is conducting Japan’s first experiment of a self-powered hydropower cellular base station. Launched on May 30, this experiment uses water from irrigation canals to power mobile communication base stations in rural areas.
The project features a jet turbine designed by Professor Yukihiro Shimatani from the Prefectural University of Kumamoto. The turbine uses a nozzle that emits a water jet to drive rotation, generating electricity. Unlike traditional hydroelectric systems, this design integrates both the nozzle and turbine, making it suitable for 3D printing.
DOCOMO’s Energy Management System (EMS) platform will monitor and control the power, visualizing CO2 reductions achieved with the hydropower system. While DOCOMO’s 286 existing green base stations primarily use solar power, this initiative targets areas where solar panels are impractical, promoting the use of hydropower.
This experiment supports DOCOMO’s goals of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and across its entire supply chain by 2040. The use of hydropower for base stations is part of a broader effort to incorporate renewable energy sources into communication networks.
Globally, there are similar sustainability initiatives integrating renewable energy into infrastructures, such as those promoted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The success of this project could influence the adoption of similar renewable energy solutions worldwide.
