UDSM, Japanese company to partner in hydroelectric generators technology

DAR ES SALAAM: THE University of Dar es salaam (UDSM) seeks to partner with the Japanese Company, Sumino Seisakusho, to spread a new technology of producing micro hydroelectric generators.

This was revealed when UDSM Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, Professor Nelson Boniface met with the company’s delegation recently.

Prof Boniface said the company’s delegation is in the country following an invitation from the Japanese ambassador to Tanzania, Yasushi Misawa.

Prof Boniface said the technology will be more useful especially in rural areas where there is a challenge of electricity so the UDSM through the engineering faculty will collaborate to see the possibility of producing such generators here in the country.

“In our talks with this company we have asked them if this technology can be applied here, whereby, they have told us that it is possible because our workshops here at the faculty of engineering have capacity to produce these machines,” he said.

However, the professor explained that the main objective was to help students in rural settings where there is no access to electricity, so that they could use them for self-studies.

On his side, Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania, Mr Yasushi Misawa, said the technology is productive in rural areas while assuring that the company will also help develop good relations between Tanzania and Japanese companies.

“Sumino Seisakusho limited company is unique, it has specialised in producing micro hydro power equipment and I think it will enhance cooperation between Japanese companies and Tanzania,” he said.

One of the generators they designed goes by a brand name of Picopica 10 which has been developed to generate power from the flow of water in channels.

Irrigation channels is enough to generate power, it is capable of generating 2.4 MW of electricity and can be used for security lighting and electric fences.