Overview Of Micro Hydro Power

Development, Promotion, Planning and Status of Hydro Power in Nepal

by: Tri Ratna Bajracharya Department of Mechanical Engineering Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering Tribhuvan University, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Contents    

 

Introduction MHP Potential in Nepal MHP development Contribution to Rural Development • Access to Electricity • End Use and Income Generation • Rural Enterprise Development • Environment Saving • Benefits to Society Barriers in MHP development • Technology, Research and development • Government Policy Conclusion and Recommendation

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction  

One of the least developing countries



Nepal's per capita GDP (PPP) stands at US $ 1,370 (i.e. Purchasing power parity)

Per capita energy consumption: 15 GJ (the lowest per capita energy consumption

5000 China

4000 3000

Nepal

4580

2000 1000 0

1370

2670

per capital energy consumption

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

India

Introduction 

Energy is one of the foundations of modern civilizations and economies. Electricity is prerequisite for increasing economic productivity.



Renewable Energy, an alternative energy resource and a gradual transformation from non-renewable to renewable energy. It can play a role of a catalyst in Rural Development of Nepal.



Hydropower is the indigenous and renewable energy resource for Nepal.



Economic Hydropower potential of Nepal is estimated as 42,000 MW. MHP is estimated over than 50 MW.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Classification of Hydropower Micro Hydro Power

Up to 100 kW

Mini Hydro Power

Above100 kW to 1 MW

Small Hydro Power

Above 1 MW to 10 MW

Medium Hydro Power

Above 10 MW to 300 MW

Large Hydro Power

Above 300 MW

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Hydropower Sector Development S.N.

Name of HPP

Capacity in MW

Year of commissioning

1

Pharping

0.50

1911

2

Sundarijal

0.64

1934

3.

Phewa

1.00

1960

4.

Panauti

2.40

1964

5.

Trishuli

2.10

1970

6.

Sunkoshi

10.00

1970

7.

Gandak

15.00

1979

8.

Kulekhani I

60.00

1982

9.

Kulekhani II

32.00

1986

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Hydropower Sector Development S.N.

Name of HPP

10

Marshyangdi

11

Andikhola (BOOT)

12

Capacity in MW

Year of commissioning

69.00

1989

5.10

1991

Jhimruk (BOOT)

12.00

1995

13

Khimti (BOOT)

60.00

1998

14

Bhotekoshi (BOOT)

36.00

2001

15

Kaligandaki

144.00

2002

16

Chilime (BOOT)

17

Indrawati (BOOT)

18

Upper Modi (BOOT)

20.00 7.50 14.00

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Hydropower Sector Development S.N.

Name of HPP

Capacity in MW

Year of commissioning

19

Sange HP

0.18

20

Piluwa (BOOT)

3.00

2003

21

Sunkoshi Small HP

2.60

2005

22

Chakukhola

1.50

Under construction

23

Rairang HP

0.50

Under construction

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Hydropower Sector Development Present Installed Capacity Nepal Electricity Authority (including private and others) 609.057 MW

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Classification of Micro Hydropower Very Small

Up to 8 kW

Small Hydropower

8 – 20 kW

Medium Hydro Power

20 – 50 kW

Large Hydro Power

50 – 100 kW

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction - Layout of MHP

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction - Layout of MHP

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction - Principle of Hydropower E = ρ x V x g x h [(kg/m3) x (m3) x (m/s2) x m]

        

= 1000 x V x g x h [kg x (m/s2) x m] = 1000 x V x g x h [N x m] = 1000 x V x g x h [J] The corresponding power may be calculated as P = E/t [J/s] = E/t [W] = 1000 x V x g x h/t [W] = 1000 x (V/t) x g x h [W] = Q x g x h [kW] P = 9.81 Q x h [kW]

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Contribution in GDP Agriculture sector 40%

Non Agriculture Sector 60%

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction Per Capita Electricity Consumption 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

Pakistan

India

Bangladesh

Nepal

173 176

30 17 per capital electricity consumption

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction  

The major energy resources in rural areas : fuelwood, agricultural residues, dung, muscle power and traditional water mills. The 85% of its 23 million population still lives at rural areas. Traditional Energy 87.42%

Commercial Energy 12.10%

Renewable Energy 0.47% Energy Consumption Scenario

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction   



Though one of the richest countries in the world in hydropower resources, the country is highly dependent upon biomass resources. 73.7% of the commercial energy consumption of the country still depends upon imported petroleum fuel (Year 2003). The import of fossil fuels are not only a burden to the country's foreign currency reserve but is also highly responsible for air pollution and the respiratory related health diseases. These point to the fact that the country is facing quite a burden while using fossil fuel use and it can be even more deteriorative in the long run for the developing country which does not have its own fossil fuel resource.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Introduction 







inevitable fact - hydropower is the country's indigenous and renewable energy resource and it should be harnessed and used to meet the basic energy needs of the people but the country's economy does not provide enough economic bases for a large-scale investment exploiting large hydro-potentials and for laying transmission and distribution network in rural areas. For an example, Seti hydropower 760 MW to be developed in near future is totally dependent upon foreign assistance and the neighbouring country India for its energy consumption. In this context, renewable energy seems to be the viable option for electrifying the rural area.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

MHP Potential   

 

Theoretical hydroelectric potential of Nepal: 83,000 MW with 727,000 GWh per year. The economic potential is around 42,000 MW only. The above estimates of 83,000 MW accounted for rivers with catchment area of over 300 km2 and a minimum specific discharge of 5 l/s-km2, the minimum discharge corresponding to above catchment is 1.5 m3/s. But most MHPs tap hydropower from rivers having discharge less than 1.5 m3/s. Therefore, it can be assumed that the above estimate does not include MHP potential of Nepal.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

MHP Potential     

While the hydropower potential estimate accounts for less than 500 numbers of large and small rivers. Nepal has over 6,000 rivers of length over 2 km. Therefore, the total theoretical potential of MHP is very large and is to be estimated accurately. Nepal's MHP potential is yet unknown. Very rough estimates show that it should be over 50 MW.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

MHP Development 

 

The efforts to modernize traditional water mills started in the 1960s. The main focus of these efforts was the development of indigenous capability to manufacture modern turbines in the country. The first MHPs were add-on types. Stand-alone MHPs appeared in those places, where there were no milling need or where the MHP sites were far away from the settlement or the power requirements were much higher than that an add-on MHP could meet.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

MHP Development 160

kW

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

No.

Installed capacity, kW

Number of installations

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1980

 

1985

1990 Year 1995

2000

Present installed capacity of MHP 13.85 MW electricity alone is 7.1 MW (from year 1962 to mid July 2002/03; 95% of the 14.5 MW installed total MHPs are assumed to be in function CADEC,2003).

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

MHP Development  



No. of MHPs in Ilam district covers 15 % of total MHP population. Similarly Baglung district generates 0.89 MW and is 12 % of total MHP power generation.7471.8

206

No. of MHPs Others Ilam 1165

Power Generation from MHPs in MW.

0.9

Currently 0.81 MW of MHPs are under construction and detail feasibility of 0.97 MW capacity is already completed.

Others Baglung

6.6

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Number of households

Access to Electricity 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0

Microhydro schemes Solar home systems NEA & other systems

31330 1261

697116

3817

518816

19999 7403 29338 Mountain

 

56220

Hill

Terai

32.71 % of toptal population has access to electricity. MHP is able serve 4.23 % of the rural population residing in hills and mountains.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

End Use and Income Generation  



MHP is generating a number of end use applications in villages giving an opportunity for employment and stimulating the income generation activities. Grinder, Huller, Sheller, Bakery, Furniture, Saw Mill, Cold Store, Video Parlour, Oil Expeller, handicraft making, hotel, water pumping, photocopy, internet service centers, noodle making, tea drying, cardamom drying, making potato chips etc. End uses in MHP have been conceptualized as a promising component to make MHP scheme more sustainable as connecting more end uses will help to increase the plant load factor.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

End Use and Income Generation Sikles Village, an example: 100 kW power plant electrifying 511 households and powering a) two grinders (7.5kW each) b) three haulers (two 4kW and one 7.5kW). c) two pearlers (7.5kW each), d) bakery (1.5kW) and e) Furniture shop (2.2 kW).

Owner Mr. Kiran Gurung and the Grinder machine with motor (7.5kW) at his back side.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

End Use and Income Generation

Pearler machine with motor of 7.5kW.

Hauler machine with motor of 4 kW.

Machines running in Sikles Village without any problems

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Rural Enterprise Development  

  

With the operation of MHP in the rural areas, people are now more motivated towards establishing the rural enterprises. This has not only benefited the one who established the enterprises but to the society as a whole for availing essential services within the vicinity of the rural villages. This might even reverse the migration from the villages though it has not been proved yet. Eg. Barpak Village: installed 50 kW Now an additional 100 kW is going to be installed.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Environment Saving 

  

Though the fossil fuel is an imported commodity and highly expensive in rural areas due to the transportation charges, these are commonly used in wick lamps for lighting. As the MHP is installed the kerosene use has been found drastically reduced and in some cases, it is found used for emergency purposes only. But for cooking application, though electric dekchis (cooking vessel with inbuilt resistance wire heater) can be run by MHP, it is not able to be much useful. MHP is not yet able to address a large portion of the fuel wood use in cooking

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Environment Saving    

To a larger extent, MHP is successful in saving the environment and reducing the indoor air pollution due to the burning of kerosene for lighting. In addition to that, diesel run grinding mills are either replaced or at the verge of replacement due to the MHPs. The carbon credits due to MHP installation can be developed as Clean Development Mechanism. Bundling together a number of MHPs, the credit obtained thus could be used for promoting MHPs in the areas.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Benefits to the Society 

Employment



Educational programme through TVs



Health and Hygiene



Increased study hours



Increased working hours



Reduced drudgery of women

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D 

Nepal has developed technological capabilities to plan, design, manufacture and install MHP.



It has already gained experience exporting MHP equipments to countries like Bolivia, Indonesia and more.



Cross Flow Turbine ready to be installed.

Widely used induction generators in Nepal are being made by modification of commercially available induction motors which are currently imported from India or abroad.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Pelton Turbine (40 kW) coupled with generator Pelton Turbine (100 kW) in manufacturer’s workshop

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D



Electronic load controller (ELC) and Induction Generator Controller are locally assembled using the locally manufactured Controller Boards.



All other remaining components are designed, constructed/manufactured and erected in Nepal.

Pelton Turbine assembled with Induction generator (PELTRIC SET)

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Technology, R & D

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Government Policy  

  

Despite the fact that the MHP was introduced and developed by private sector. Electrification through MHP has featured increasingly in the Five year Plans of government of Nepal, which started from 1980. Then in the Eighth (1992/93 to 1996/97) and Ninth (1997/98 to 2001/02) five year plans, targets for MHPs were set at 5 MW for each period. In Ninth Five year plan, 63% of the target was achieved. The current Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) has set a target of installing 10 MW MHPs. Alternative Energy Promotion Center under Ministry of Water Resources, formulates policy and is responsible for the promotion of MHPs in the country.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Government Policy Involved organisations in the promotion of MHPs S.N. Agencies

Nos.

1.

Government Related Agencies dedicated MHP

7

2.

Non-Governmental Development Agencies

22

3.

Manufacturers/Installers

21

4.

Consulting Agencies

29

5.

Training Institutions

4

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Barriers Technology, research and development  very few researches have been conducted in technological development.  large gap in knowledge sharing between the developers, academicians and users.  turbine erosion due to the silt is ignored in MHPs.  none of the researches are directed towards technology improvement of end uses.  standardization of electromechanical parts has been there for long but not much exercise has been done in this sector. Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Barriers Government Policy and Planning  static energy planning and the long term goal and strategy seems not properly exercised.  the increasing energy demand due to the increasing population may not be fulfilled by the centralized planning.  more donor driven rather than demand driven approach  yet not able to address the vision of developing end uses in a sustainable way.  The lack of education and the training to the end users.  lack of proper allocation of fund in the research and development. Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Conclusions    

There should be no doubt that MHP has been playing a catalysts role in uplifting the rural economy. MHP is able to contribute significantly in providing access to the electricity to rural people in comparison to the national grid. It has been very successful in substituting kerosene for lighting but not much succeed is gained in the case of cooking. Several end use services have been possible within the rural vicinity due to the MHPs in the area.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Conclusions 

MHPs have started several activities related to income generation, which is seen as the prime necessity in order to raise the rural economy. Also it has helped in raising employment.



MHPs are able to develop rural based industries and enterprises and this helps in reducing the migration towards the urban area.



MHPs play a significant role in the reduction of the indoor air pollution in rural area.



MHP has good potential to avoid CO2 emission by reducing import of fossil fuels and thus help to improve balance of foreign exchange account of the country.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Recommendations  

A forum needs to be developed



Training on MHPs to the other developing countries should be explored.



District energy planning with more energy service area centers should be planned.

 

A turbine testing facility could be developed.

financial support in research and development should be allocated.

The research on silt erosion on turbines should be initiated and efficient micro turbines should be developed.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Recommendations      

The standardization concept can be initiated from turbine itself. At least efficiency test of the turbine can be started in a turbine test center. To develop the entrepreneurship, micro-finance institutions should be mobilized in rural areas. End use technologies which can stimulate the rural economy, should be explored and supported. Training on end use operation, repair and management as well as the end use product marketing should be initiated. Access of electricity from MHP for cooking needs for rural areas needs to be researched further. Development of MHPs should be initiated as CDM.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

Recommendations  

A forum needs to be developed



Training on MHPs to the other developing countries should be explored.



District energy planning with more energy service area centers should be planned.

 

A turbine testing facility could be developed.

financial support in research and development should be allocated.

The research on silt erosion on turbines should be initiated and efficient micro turbines should be developed.

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME !

Micro-Hydro Power for Rural Economic Development