Japan has long been at the forefront of disaster risk management. Its geography means it is blighted by the threat of tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides and more – driving much-needed innovation in mitigating those risks.

Smart sensors are central to how Japan now monitors risk – and Hikari Alphax has developed a range of sector-leading products that help provide real-time data to those who need it.

Providing advance warnings of landslides and keeping track of water levels

In 2020, a Japanese government report stated that there had been an average of 1,500 landslides per year over the previous ten years, a near 50 percent increase from the preceding decade.

A rise in torrential rainfall, attributed to the ongoing effects of climate change, has coincided with increased deforestation and construction to create something of a ‘perfect storm’ for landslides.

Effective forewarning systems are therefore becoming essential to curb landslides where possible, and to provide warnings and alarms that can reduce the risk to life and property.

That way, slopes can be monitored remotely to check for any instability or sudden changes in condition.

But it’s not only landslides that can be predicted by smart sensors.

Japan’s mountainous terrain and densely populated urban centres make it prone to floods. The effects of flood waters can be disastrous for communities and homes, rapidly becoming life-threatening and causing irreparable damage to possessions.

Keeping a track of water levels is a vital component for pre-empting floods. An early warning system that flags when water levels have exceeded a threshold allows for swift counter measures to divert the water, shore up floodbanks, or evacuate people in immediate risk.

Whereas monitoring of water levels was once done manually, the advancement of sensor technology means that smart devices can provide more regular, accurate updates on the levels of water in rivers, lakes, and subterranean groundwater.

As we experience more extreme weather events the role of these monitoring devices will only become more important – tracking not only flood risk but also the threat of drought and water scarcity.

A unique solution to powering sensors

In Japan, most of the existing sensors that monitor water levels or forewarn against landslides are deployed alongside a solar panel and a large battery power source (normally a lead acid battery).

This involves an expensive and laborious installation, as a strong pillar is required to support the weight of both the solar panels and batteries. Often there will also be a system for monitoring the state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery. With a complex system supporting the sensor it means a large number of components and wires, and thus the risk of failure also increases.

That’s why ALPHIoT Power, manufactured by Hikari Alphax, was introduced as an alternative, simple solution.

The polycarbonate box that contains this lightweight power system is waterproof and dustproof, and it has a smaller surface area than solar panels and so is less likely to be damaged by inclement weather (be it a strong winds, snow or hailstorms).

It is long-lasting thanks to its two Saft LS 33600 battery packs, which also allow for high performance (with high capacity of 170Ah). It is also flexible enough to be deployed with any kind of sensor - the specially designed regulated power supply circuit allows for 12 V, 5 V, 3 V and 3.6 V.

With more and more smart sensors being deployed for essential risk management, and further applications being developed (including a leap in uses for agricultural monitoring), Hikari Alphax will continue to be at the cutting edge of sensor innovation. With ALPHIoT Power, they have developed a flexible system that can power that future.