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Many countries have implemented Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) into their energy development plans, which are policy instruments designed to promote rapid deployment of renewable energy (RE) technologies by rewarding energy providers. Though these tariffs are not anything new or cutting-edge, they have proven to accelerate investment in RE technologies through the offering of long-term contracts to RE producers.
FiTs are applicable for a range of beneficiaries including households, enterprises, landlords, farmers, and even organizations such as hospitals, shopping malls and schools. Eligible energy providers are rewarded through payment of a cost-based price for any electricity they supply into the main grid using renewable technologies. The main purpose of the tariffs is to offer compensation to RE producers, providing price certainty and financial assistance for their RE investments. FiTs offer the energy producers guaranteed grid access, long-term contract security, and cost-based purchase prices. Implementation of these tariffs is very financially beneficial with energy producers being paid for all the energy produced including the amount that is used by themselves, bonus payments for exported electricity fed into the grid, and a significant reduction on conventional electricity bills.
FiTs provide investors with a reasonable return on their renewable energy financings with policies been sanctioned in over 50 countries around the world, including Germany, India, Australia, China, Iran, Kenya, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
Germany was the first country to introduce FiTs for RE electricity generation to encourage the utilization of novel energy technologies such as wind power, solar photovoltaics, biomass, and geothermal power. The motivation behind this decision was to meet the country’s aim of having 40-45% of the electricity consumption provided from renewable sources by 2025 and 55-60% by 2035, whilst encouraging the development of RE technologies securing the nation’s energy supply. Purchase prices of electricity are based on generation costs specific to varying RE technologies and their size capacities. The rates are also designed in a structure to decline annually based on expected cost reductions, which is known as ‘tariff degression’.
In Germany, long-term contracts are tendered to all RE producers in an unbiased manner, and effectively run RE generation projects generate an acceptable rate of return in between 5-10%. This has resulted in the rapid advancements in RE technology and their deployment throughout the nation.
Likewise, our neighbour India too has decided to implement a methodical system of FiTs into its renewable energy market. In 2009, India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) announced new regulations initiating a FiT system for renewable energy including wind and solar energy technologies. Currently, CERC denotes the tariffs before tax varying the tariffs based on renewable resource intensity, i.e. low power yield sites get higher tariff. The current Indian program includes all renewables and the tariffs are based on cost of energy generation plus profit (19% Return on Equity). The contract terms for solar PV generation and hydropower (<3MW) are 25 years and 35 years respectively, with the tariff for wind power generation based on resource intensity as mentioned. The FiTs offered set to cover a number of fixed-cost components such as return on equity, depreciation, interest on loan capital, and any operation and maintenance expenses.
In countries where electricity generation from RE technologies is much more expensive than conventional methods, distribution companies are permitted to pass on additional costs to the consumers. In Nepal’s case, this is a major obstacle as affordability of consumers may restrict the transfer and payment of these costs. From observing the implementation and operation of policy mechanism in various countries around the world, FiTs can be a means for Nepal to promote an interconnection of renewables to the grid. In order to determine and regulate the tariffs in a systematic and efficient manner, it will be necessary for energy producers to have priority access to the grid. Private producers will be able to establish their energy investments to sell unused capacities to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), thus expanding use of renewable technologies around the country. However, for small energy generation projects, with current tariff NEA are offering, grid connection is not seen as a feasible proposal. For FiTs to be implemented in Nepal, the government must explore an alternative funding mechanism to meet the additional costs of generation as it would not be moral to burden the utility or increase consumer electricity bills to make up for the additional costs. A possible option to reduce the cost of generation could be the provision of subsidies on the grid interconnection equipment costs which are relatively expensive and primarily imported. With support from the government and FiTs in place, grid connected distribution will be possible, which in turn will reduce presently experienced line losses, as the electricity will be generated locally without having to be supplied over long distances from a centralized system.
written by: Zubin Shrestha, edited by: Kushal Gurung
Published in: The Himalayan Times
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WindPower Nepal Pvt Ltd.)
Solar technology has emerged as a reliable source of energy in the Nepalese energy market. Being the cleanest and most profuse renewable energy source available, it is practically free and emits absolutely no harmful by products. At WPN, we imagined a solar system that you could take with you on the go. Whether it be a weekend camping trip or a rigorous expedition to Everest, we wanted to build a system that could withstand anything it was dealt with, whilst being highly portable, durable and effective. This project was a prototype experiment and can even be used as a small off-grid power source for numerous demanding appliances.
Motivation
We had received a quotation inquiry from a climbing expedition group for a portable solar system that was to be capable of the following:
The panels were needed to be easily carried and a waterproof casing was required to house the electronics.
From the initial inquiry, the engineering team drafted various ideas on how to build a suitable system capable of fulfilling the energy needs of the different appliances. This involved using various combinations of solar modules and batteries. As the system needed to be as portable as possible, weight and mobility were crucial factors that had to be taken into account for the system design. The Nepalese market was very limited when it came to lightweight solar modules and batteries so the system also had to be designed accordingly to the availability of locally available resources.
Materials
All the aforementioned materials were purchased from the local market.
Imagining the System
It was agreed that the system would comprise of external solar modules and battery separate to the electronics. A container or as we called it, ‘The Box’ was required to house all the electronic components of the system (i.e. charge controller, power converter, power strip, and wiring). As the system was to be used in harsh terrain and conditions, the Box needed to be robust and protective. An early draft design is shown in the rough schematic diagram below.
For an 80W solar panel module, taking mobility and the client’s energy demands into account, we decided the optimal battery size to be 42Ah. Various combinations of different solar panel capacities were discussed and finally, it was decided that four 20W 36-cell Monocrystalline Solar Panels were to be linked in series. One master panel would be constantly linked to a container that consisted of four female DC connectors for easy plug-and-play use. Three of these connections were meant for the other three solar panels and one was to connect the solar panels (which were in series) to the charge controller and power converter in the Box.
The makeshift connection container was built using a plastic lunchbox and linked the solar panels to the other electronic devices in the system. The image below shows this connection container and the DC connectors it enclosed. All the wiring for the connectors were soldered to their respective terminals.
Every connection within the system was linked by DC connectors which made the entire system plug-and-play and completely fool proof.
System Assembly
Before initiating the assembly stage of the project, the system components were all tested to provide more control and flexibility if any changes were to be made during assembly. Once it was noted that the system was running smoothly, it was time to put all the modules together. The testing phase of the project is shown in the following image. A laptop and two smartphones were obtaining a charge from the system with ease.
A Pelican case was used to house the electronics which provided ample protection from weathering and harsh conditions as the system had to be transported on the back of a YAK! The glue gun was used to seal all the wiring connections in the connection container for waterproofing. The final assembled system can be seen in the following images.
Wind Power Nepal is currently working on an upgraded higher capacity, lighter and much more mobile system.
CONTACT US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED BUT TOO LAZY TO BUILD YOUR OWN 😉
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WindPower Nepal Pvt Ltd.)
With the lack of wind assessment and successful precedent cases, Nepal is reluctant to invest in new wind generation projects wasting all the wind potential hidden in the Himalayan Mountains. Considering the rate of development of the technology and new community business models in the rural and remote areas it is high time to give wind energy a second chance.
Energy Situation in Nepal
Approximately 76% of the Nepalese population has access to electricity with disparities between urban and rural areas. Despite experiencing an outstanding growth in rural access increasing from 12% in 1990 to 70% in 2012 many technical and institutional challenges are yet to be addressed. First of all when talking about “access” in the case of Nepal, one cannot have in mind a constant and reliable source of electricity. Nepal is the country with the second richest inland water resources which to some extent justifies their energy market fully depending on only one source of energy- hydropower . On the other hand, 99.7% of the energy being generated through hydropower makes the energy market highly vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations and leads to load shedding. Planned power cuts are a result of water resource fluctuation where approximately 80% of precipitation occurs during the monsoon season as well as technical design of power plants with only run-of-the- river types without storage facilities （Central Bureau of Statistics，2014） （The World Bank. All these factors are resulting in planned power cuts of around 6 to 8 hours per day during the monsoon season and up to even 18 hours per day during the dry winter time.
Another challenge that Nepal has to face is a rapid population growth leading to increased energy demand of approximately 7% to 9% every year. Population growth is not distributed equally with an increasing percentage of urban inhabitants and shrinking population in rural districts. One of the main reason of migrations from rural to urban areas is lack of energy during the dry season when the hydro plants are freezing due to harsh Himalayan climate. Despite all these factors, almost all the financial support for renewable energy projects is distributed to new hydropower plant investments.
Moreover, in case seasonal fluctuation, load shedding and winter migration of rural inhabitants might discourage new investors, financial support provided by the government surely prevents hydro technology from being forgotten by prioritizing it with highest subsidy rates and giving it inclusive feed-in- tariffs scheme which no other technology can obtain. Assembling all the pieces together, it is clear that there is something missing, something simply called wind power generation.
Wind Power Generation in Nepal
Nepal is a country located mainly in high mountains, de facto highest in the world which contributes to a great wind potential estimated to be around 3,000 MW with an average wind speed reaching 25 m/s and gust storms embracing up to approximately 46 m/s. Unfortunately with lack of adequate database and realistic wind assessments which have not been conducted yet all the wind potential is still preserved in the hands of Mother Nature. （Shakya ，n.d.）The situation of wind is about to change with currently ongoing Nepal Wind Mapping Project conducted by the cooperation of Windpower Nepal, Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and a Belgian company 3E （WindPower Nepal Pvt. Ltd.）and new proposal of implementing wind generation system in the district of Mustang which is famous for its stable and strong wind speeds throughout the year.
District of Mustang
District of Mustang is located in the trans- Himalayan region situated between two 8,000 meter peaks: Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, forming the deepest valley in the world: Kali Gandaki River. The unique orographic conditions create extreme diurnal wind patterns with reliable recurring wind speeds rising up in the morning and reaching the peak at around 2 pm . Thanks to its unique features district of Mustang was the location of the first wind turbine project tested in 1987 under the supervision of the Danish Government. The project successfully generated electricity in the Kagbeni village located in the central part of the valley through two 10 kW generators but due to severe gusts the turbines were blown away resulting in the negative attitude towards this technology. Until today no real effort was made to restore the plant in Kagbeni, but with a better understanding of wind energy technologies implementation of new wind turbine projects is likely to succeed. Wind turbine system with battery storage would provide inhabitants with reliable source of energy and a business model that allows local cooperation can also ensure a long-term partnership between private sector and the community.
Source: Resource Mapping Report,2011
Source: District Climate and Energy Plan, 2011
Community Based Organization Model
Community Rural Electrification Program was launched in 2003 by the Government of Nepal to increase electrification rate in rural areas which allowed organized rural communities to buy electricity in bulk and retail it to local users. This program allows communities, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and private companies to form a public-private partnership, splitting the cost and responsibilities. The main feature of the model is establishment of the Village Cooperation which is a local energy authority responsible for charging customers with initial connection fees, managing daily operations and holding monthly meetings. Cooperation is the owner of the local distribution system but in return has to contribute minimum 20% of grid connection costs in the form of labor, household donations or bank loans （P. R. Krithika，2013） （The National Association of Community Electricity Users-Nepal）.
This model benefits all the actors involved. From the companies perspective it unburdens them from obligations to provide all the investment costs. Moreover, by implementing this model, cooperating with local communities and eventually transferring ownership of the distribution system to the local cooperation financial support in the form of subsidies can be obtained from the government, covering around 40% of investment costs.（Ministry of Population and Environment ，2016 ） Second, the community receives technical workshops and trainings carried out by the company so that the obligations associated with the distribution system are fulfilled. The project also creates job opportunities for the locals and by allowing communities to be one of the projects’ shareholders ensures trust and commitment so that theft can be prevented. Third, national authorities meet their goals of extending electrification in the remote areas and hence increase social development of rural inhabitants
Looking at the current situation of wind generation investments which are barely included in the national renewable energy strategies, untapped wind potential and new institutional set ups for community electrification a clear gap between these factors can be seen. In order to feel the missing space new policy arrangements for wind energy have to be implemented. What is even more important, social attitude towards wind technology has to be changed and there is no better way to do so that implementing a successful and affordable wind project in the district of Mustang involving public engagement.
On-grid solar project commonly refers to the project generating electricity from Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system connected to the utility grid. It consists of solar panels, one or more inverters and a grid connection equipment. Since, it does not use batteries, it is cheaper as using them would increases the initial capital and affect the rate in Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Figure 1: Representative image of grid-tied solar project.
A solar PV panel generates electricity from the beginning of the day and converts the sunlight into electricity. Solar PV panels generate direct current (DC) and it is converted into alternating current (AC) by the inverter. DC is a current that flows through the battery, dynamo and etc. whereas AC is a current that flows through the national grid. There are some challenges regarding generation of power through solar PV panels and transferring to national grid. They can be categorized into technical, institutional and financial challenges.
TECHNICAL CHALLENGES:
Climatic condition, national grid instability and a lack of skilled professionals are the challenges that need to be addressed.
Climatic condition
Climatic condition refers to an ambient temperature, altimetry data and the quality of air.
First, every solar PV panel is tested in certain standard test condition (STC) and its power is rated for that specific STC (generally at 25). In general, for 10°C increase in temperature above STC, solar PV module losses 4-5% of its power. During summer, high incident of irradiation on PV module can lead to overheating of a panel which reduces its productivity and lifespan. Therefore, the temperature has an influence on PV module ’s performance. so the specification of PV panel should be thoroughly examined and ambient temperature of the site should be known, at the time of designing solar farm to determine precise loss in power.
Second, power generation through solar PV panels depends upon altimetry data and diffusion or reflection of solar irradiance. Total solar irradiance increases with altitude of about 8 % ± 2 % per 1000 m (Blumthaler, Ambach, & Ellinger, 1996), so the higher the solar panel is set up, the more power it generates. On the other hand, the dust particles, cloud and smog present in the atmosphere reduces solar irradiance that falls on PV panel, hence the power output decreases. In Beijing, the ratio of diffusion to global irradiance is 0.52; in Kathmandu, it is 0.41. Power output of solar farm in Beijing is comparatively lower than in Kathmandu, assuming, both places have the same value of solar irradiance.
National electricity grid
Grid instability and poor grid characteristics are yet another challenges that need to be addressed. The electricity distribution grid presents a very high level of loss about 26%, ~19% in the distribution system, ~ 5% in the transmission system and about 1% in the generation system.
Up to 2011, the total capacity of the grid substations is 1310 MVA and an extension of transmission lines and new substations are under construction for increasing the grid capacity. In most developed countries, only 10% of total installed capacity can be transmitted to national grid. However for Nepal, 10% of total installed capacity is 80 MW and as our country is facing a severe energy crisis, this measure is not applicable. Power generated from any source should be fed directly into the national grid and it is stated in the “Development of PV grid-connected plant in Nepal” report that 50-60 MW of power evacuation is possible without any problems.
The market for grid interactive inverters are not still good in Nepal. An inverter in a grid-connected PV system is equipped with an islanding prevention system and works when PV system continues to energize a section of the grid after it is isolated from the main utility grid. In case of power failure, the inverter switches off automatically to prevent a potential dangerous situation on the grid. Therefore, an installation with an inverter for grid connection would be stopped from feeding any generated electricity into the grid during load shedding, with a consequent production loss. This means that the energy potentially available could no longer contribute to compensating the lack of energy through hydro technology. So, a 33 kV station (not subject to load shedding) must be available nearby in order to make grid connection possible or the system should be connected to grid substation nearby. Moreover, load shedding is not the only issue. A growing load demand causes congestion problems on transmission lines, breakdown of any major generating station, grid cuts and system collapse. Generally, there are about 30 to 40 total system collapses with time period ranging from 2 hr. to 7 hr. According to a Development of PV-grid connected plant in Nepal “One of the main reasons for complete system collapses between summer 2008 and summer 2009 was the tripping of 132 kV or 66kV lines, isolating some power stations. The other operating power stations were unable to compensate for the resulting deficit of several MW of power since they had little reserve margin. This kind of situation caused an “under frequency” condition in the system, resulting in complete system collapses”.
Lack of skilled Professionals
There is a lack of skilled professionals who have proper knowledge of solar maintenance. Centre for Energy studies (CES) and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in association with Solar Electric Manufactures Association Nepal (SEMAN) are conducting training program for solar maintenance but only handful skilled technicians are available for maintenance. There is a great need for professionals with better training and education who will carry out afterward maintenance and repair, especially among dealers who supply solar related equipment and installers who will install solar farm.
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES:
NEA is not promoting solar power in large scale like hydro power making it difficult to receive investments. Share offering similar to hydro could have increased the equity to large extent and reduced the debt amount and interest to be paid. Moreover, purchasing prices set by NEA affects returns on investment for solar PV plant. Previously, NEA had been signing Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in USD benefitting the companies because of exchange rates. Currently, NEA only deals with PPAs in Nepalese currency. USD PPA is an agreement between NEA and a power producing company where NEA is liable to pay the price per unit of electricity in dollars to the power producing company. NEA has brought a new policy that allows power PPA of up to 100 MW capacity hydro projects to be done in single flat price at Rs 4.80 per unit for eight months including rainy season and Rs. 8.80 per unit for the remaining four months during dry season for hydropower plant Recently, NEA and other government entities have decided PPA rate for solar PV plant to be Rs.8.14.
INSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES:
There is no clear template for generating power through renewable energy except hydro but it is expected that NEA, and the Government of Nepal (GoN) will come up with a clear template soon. It is expected that GON will improve its regulation and promote renewable energy sector like solar. Institution who govern as well as decide policy for all the power generating companies are NEA, Ministry of Energy (MoE), Department of Electricity Development (DoED) , Ministry of Environment (MOENV) and so on. Survey license for power production, distribution and transmission lines can all be acquired through DoED and PPA can be obtained through NEA. Still, the public are not properly aware of its potential and the fact that it can be built in a short time, unlike hydro power projects. A solar plant a has huge potential and can help minimizing the present energy crisis.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WindPower Nepal Pvt Ltd.)
Energy Development Council and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation- International Solar Energy Center (UNIDO-ISEC) has signed a memorandum of understanding to promote renewable energy technologies in Nepal. UNIDO-ISEC is located in Lanzhou, China. WindPower Nepal CEO, Mr Kushal Gurung, signed the MoU on behalf of Energy Development Council.
More information in Nepalese: http://bit.ly/2bIadyQ
When I arrived at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal at night in June, I was happy to see some city lights from the airplane . I was worried that the city would be completely dark without people having access to electricity. It was difficult to gain up-to-date information about situations in Nepal especially after the earthquake and to imagine what it is like for locals to live in Nepal.
Hydro Reliance
Nepal is always short of electricity supply with its demand growing by 7-9% every year. Why do we not have enough electricity supply? On-grid national electricity, where I think the electricity comes from, relies almost entirely on hydropower as a source. Nepal is the 2nd richest country in inland water resources with as many as 6000 rivers, rivulets and tributaries, and if fully exploited, Nepal can meet its own electricity demand as well as exporting to neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and India (IFC, 2014). The theoretical potential is 83.290 MW; of 45,610 MW is technically feasible; however, currently installed capacity on grid is 718.62 MW (NEEP, 2014). Further, hydroelectric projects in Nepal are run-of-the-river types that do not have water storage and subject to seasonal fluctuations (HIDCL). Therefore, more energy is available during monsoon season from June to September, and less in dry season or the rest of the year.
Load Shedding
As a result, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has been carrying out so-called load shedding or planned power cuts all year round. How’s that work? The whole Nepal is divided into different groups and each group is assigned a set weekly schedule. Right now, load shedding is conducted twice a day, lasting in total of 6-8 hours per day. The situation is better in monsoon season and worse in dry season. How do Nepalese cope with power cuts? Many households and businesses have a backup system, usually diesel generators. However, when border blockades happened due to political situations last year, all the imports from India, the largest trading partner for Nepal, stopped coming in. As a result, fuel was short and its prices skyrocketed. Rising prices disproportionately affects the poor, or they do not even have a backup and simply go dark.
Rural Access
According to the World Bank, 76.3% of the population had access to electricity in 2012 in Nepal. In reality, the rate is higher in urban areas and lower in rural areas. For those who are not connected to the grid, fuelwood is the primary energy source used for cooking and heating (NEEP, 2014). Since there is no grid connection and fuel is subject to price variations, it makes sense to employ cheap, locally available traditional sources such as fuelwood (FAO, 1983). However, it has obvious downsides such as indoor air pollution and the time spent gathering fuel wood that can be spent on schooling and other productive tasks (K.C. et al, 2011). Even in Kathmandu, I see people grilling corn on the street on a charcoal, causing smokes and emissions.
Renewable Potential
In order to manage a stable supply, Nepal needs to graduate from hydro dependence and achieve a healthy energy mix employing different renewable electrification methods on grid. Thanks to its topography, Nepal has a huge potential for renewables other than hydroelectricity, and renewables have been utilized as off-grid projects in rural areas taking advantage of natural resources (K.C. et al). For example, K.C. et al. states the potential for solar power is estimated to amount 2064 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) per year, and the potential for wind power is 3000 MW. Grid electricity will benefit from having multiple sources by leveling the supply throughout the year, and renewable projects would also provide jobs for the country where more than 1,500 young people leave for job opportunities abroad every day.
Reliable and Clean
Although Nepal’s projected emission up to 2030 is in the sufficient range with less than 0.1% of the global total, the Himalayan nation is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts (Climate Action Tracker, 2015). Renewables provide clean, sustainable energy sources that do not accelerate climate change, and utilizing a number of different renewable energy sources means that Nepal would achieve a healthy energy mix that is not dependent on a single source. Likewise, adopting different electricity sources at a household level such as grid, solar, wind, diesel and storage enables constant electricity supply all day. Finally, the cost of renewable energy beats the price of fossil fuels. The maintenance cost is also minimal; for example, 2-3 times a year’s checkup is sufficient for wind turbines (NextEra Energy, 2016).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Working here made me realize about the things I took for granted. For example, there’s a suitable site for wind farm installations in Nepal (Mustang), but there was no road going there. Now there is, but it is not wide enough to transport generated energy to the other parts of the nation, and is unusable during monsoon season. Likewise, I read a business feasibility report concluding that the project would not make sense as imported raw materials are too expensive and cost more than the revenue. A lack of basic infrastructure affects all the other sectors.
Energy is essential to basic services and economic activities such as education, medicine, business, and can also be a bottleneck for other development efforts carried out here in Nepal. That is why affordable, sustainable and clean energy is listed as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (UNDP, 2016). We need a stable, reliable, sustainable, efficient and affordable energy in Nepal, and that can only be done by incorporating renewables into the energy mix.
In order for Nepal to achieve sustainable development, renewable energy is a must.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of WindPower Nepal Pvt Ltd.)
Sources:
Climate Action Tracker. “Nepal.” 31 March. 2015. http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/nepal.html. Accessed 16 August. 2016.
Food and Agriculture Organization. “Wood Fuel Surveys.” 1983. http://www.fao.org/docrep/Q1085e/Q1085e00.htm. Accessed 16 August. 2016.
Hydroelectricity Investment & Development Company Limited. “Nepal Hydropower Overview.” 2014-5. http://www.hidcl.org.np/nepal-hydropower.php. Accessed 16 August. 2016.
International Finance Corporation. “Harnessing Nepal’s Hydropower for Energy Starved South Asia.” 22 April, 2014. http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/region__ext_content/regions/south+asia/news/nepal+hydropower. Accessed 16 August. 2016.
K.C., Surendra, Samir Kumar Khanal, Prachand Shrestha, and Buddhi Lamsal. “Current status of renewable energy in Nepal: Opportunities and challenges.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. Vol 15, 2011, pp. 4107-4117. http://manoa.hawaii.edu/reis/wp-content/files_mf/paperkcsurendra.pdf. Accessed 26 July. 2016.
Nepal Energy Efficiency Program. “Energy Data Sheet.” 11 June. 2014. http://energyefficiency.gov.np/downloadthis/final_data_book__11_june_2014.pdf. Accessed 27 July. 2016.
NextEra Energy. “Frequently Asked Questions.” 2016. https://www.nexteraenergyresources.com/what/faq.shtml. Accessed 17 August. 2016.
The World Bank. “Sustainable Energy for All.” 9 September. 2015. Retrieved from http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=sustainable-energy-for-all. Accessed 27 July. 2016.
United Nations Development Program. “Affordable and Clean Energy: Why it Matters.” August. 2016. http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/7_Why-it-Matters_Goal-7_CleanEnergy_2p.pdf. Accessed 16 August. 2016.
United Nations Environment Program Global Environment Facility. “Solar and Wind Energy Resources Assessment in Nepal.” July 2008. http://www.aepc.gov.np/docs/resource/subreport/20130818124528_Solar%20and%20Wind%20Energy%20Resource-Assessment%20in%20Nepal.pdf. Accessed 26 August 2016.
Word ‘hybrid’ is defined as a combination of two elements that produce a same or complementary results. In a rapidly advancing technological world we live in today, it is a strategic merger in order to achieve more effective solutions. In case of energy sector, hybrid systems have made significant innovative progressions over the past few decades.
Diesel generator sets are usually used to provide electricity in remote areas with secluded grids. As this method of energy generation is very expensive, we have to turn to alternate solutions. The answer could very well be blowing in the wind. One of the most widely knowledgeable concerns with wind energy is its sporadic nature which is primarily influenced by geographical diversity. It is for this reason that wind hybrid power systems exist and have been utilized worldwide for years. Wind-Diesel hybrid (WDH) systems are fascinating alternatives for self-reliant power supply for remote locations or areas not connected to the public power grid. If the wind conditions are favourable, these systems allow provision of electricity at considerably lowered costs. Could this be implemented in Nepal, a country where plentiful regions have no transmission lines to bring grid electricity to communities? (more…)
Nepal will never forget the date 25 April 2015, Saturday, 11:56 am, when we were rocked by a devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake and consequent aftershocks. The earthquake caused huge loss and suffering- death toll exceeding 8,000, more than 200,000 houses damaged, and 14 districts have been badly affected. Many People in the earthquake affected areas are deprived of basic needs such as food and shelter.
Realizing the importance of electricity in the disaster hit areas, WindPower Nepal have been distributing Portable Solar Kits, which includes a solar panel, light bulbs, mobile charger and built-in FM radio to earthquake victims in Barpark, Lalitpur, Laprak, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchowk.
Portable Solar Kit is a symbol of light and hope in the lives of earthquake victims.
A wind turbine is a device designed to utilize the kinetic energy of wind and convert it to electrical energy. A typical wind turbine starts generating electricity when the wind speed is 2-4 m/s, otherwise known as cut-in wind speed and achieves its maximum output power at rated wind speed which is generally 12-17 m/s. The maximum output power of a wind turbine is also termed as Rated Output Power. As the wind speed goes on increasing, the forces acting on the turbine increase simultaneously. The increasing forces on the turbine are hazardous to the turbine structure. Therefore at certain speed, the turbine is brought to standstill, this speed is known as cut-out wind speed. Beyond the cut-out wind speed, a turbine is designed to withstand speedy wind conditions which range higher than cut-out wind speed. This ultimate wind speed which a turbine can withstand safely is known as survival wind speed.[Note: The above graph shows how the power output varies accordingly with the rise in wind speed and remains uniform throughout a certain speed limit. The graph is a general representation of behavior of a wind turbine with the varying wind condition. It should not be used as reference for factual data.]
Therefore, for the purpose of safe operation of wind turbines under extreme wind conditions and increasing their life span certain mechanisms are deployed in order to protect the turbines from going to breakdown which we shall refer to as Over Speed Protection Mechanisms.However, these mechanisms are not solely deployed to for their protection. One of the main purposes of such mechanisms is also to harness the maximum power from the available wind energy at the moment. Some of the prominent Over Speed Protection Mechanisms are briefly explained below.
Furling is another method used for safety of the wind turbines as well as for optimum power regulation. In this mechanism, the blades are turned away from the wind if the wind speed crosses the safety limit of the system. Unlike pitching, where individual blade angles are monitored and controlled, furling allows the whole set of blades to change its position as per the speed and direction of the wind. Furling can also be of two types, viz. Horizontal Furling and Vertical Furling, depending upon the curvature of movement of the rotor.
Yawing mechanism is used for the precise positioning of the nacelle in the wind. A nacelle is the casing in which component like gear box, generator and braking components are enclosed. The yaw system enables the nacelle to be optimally positioned in the wind allowing it to be readjusted if the permitted deviation between the wind direction and nacelle is exceeded. Most of the small wind turbines use tail vane for the purpose of positioning but in case of large wind turbines the nacelle movement is usually monitored by computer and electronic. An anemometer is attached at the top end of the nacelle which detects the speed and the direction of the wind at that moment.
Generally there are two types of braking systems used in wind turbines. The first is Mechanical Braking System where the whole rotor is brought to standstill in case of extreme wind conditions, emergencies and maintenance purposes. The mechanical brake constitutes of a circular disc attached to the rotor shaft. So, when braking has to be done, the brake shoe mounted on the brake disc clamps the disc and hence stops the motion of the motor.
The second is Aerodynamic Braking System. Apart from mechanical braking which brings about a complete stoppage to the rotor, aerodynamic braking system decreases the speed of the rotor and keeps the turbines running power production. This is done generally by adjusting the rotor blades along their longitudinal axis as required by the wind conditions. Aerodynamic braking is generally spring operated which is further monitored by computer and electronic devices.Depending upon the cost and manufacturing differences, hydraulic braking is also used which is nothing but the use of hydraulic fluids for amplifying the braking forces.
Pitching in simple terms is the adjustment of blade angles of wind turbine blades in order to harness optimum power from wind or to protect the turbine from unexpected forces and power output caused by high speed wind. An advanced pitch control mechanism allows the rotor blades’ angle of attack to be measured, monitored and controlled. With the help of such features the rotor blades’ angle can be adjusted continuously so as to capture optimum wind energy and the rotor blades can be automatically turned off if required. Basically, there are two major types of pitch control mechanisms which are briefly described below.
In active pitch control mechanism, the rotor blades turn around their longitudinal axis by a computer controlled mechanism. This type of control mechanism requires advanced technologies which combine principles of mechanical, electronics and cybernetics.
In passive or stall pitch control mechanism, contrary to active pitch control, the rotor blades do not rotate around their longitudinal axis. Instead, the rotor blades are aerodynamically designed to create a stall and lower the rotation speed under high speed wind conditions. These types of rotor blades require precise blade design and strong towers.
[Note: Pitch control mechanism is only required in Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT). Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) are always under the influence of optimal wind speeds.]
[Do you have an innovative idea? Are you struggling to pilot your idea due to your financial situation? WindPower Nepal has been facing the same barriers when it comes to innovative ideas that has been internally generated by passionate and self-motivated staff members. We acknowledge that there exists lots of innovative ideas for businesses, projects and programs all around the world that ONLY remains as an idea. With limited access to funds, many creative innovators are left behind without the opportunity to showcase their idea. This lack of financial resources remain the biggest challenge for many of innovative ventures. WPN has come across an interesting way to generate funds; through crowdfunding.
What is crowdfunding? Crowdfunding is an alternative solution to funding innovative ideas without relying on conventional loaning systems that will accumulate large amounts of debt. Like how the term suggests, crowdfunding is asking to numerous people for small amounts of generous giving. The online platform is posted to the general public all across the world to donate small amounts of money to accumulate a large sum of money as an investment for your idea. For example, rather than asking one person for a million dollars, it is about asking million people to donate a dollar each. (more…)
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) and WindPower Nepal Pvt. Ltd. with the purpose of mutual cooperation and assistance to provide solar energy systems to earthquakes affected individual households and institutions.
Nepal is currently reeling under acute fuel crisis due to undeclared economic blockade by India. Transportation and cooking are two main areas that have been severely affected due to the fuel shortages. Alternative sources of cooking fuels have become a crucial topic of research and investigation on an international scale and Nepal may require such unconventional solutions to cope with the crisis that does not seem to be winding down anytime soon. The utilization of Hydrogen as an energy carrier with regards to domestic cooking has been explored and studied by countless experts over the years and is still a relatively novel concept that requires further exploration.
Here are some basic facts about Hydrogen. It is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. It is the lightest and most abundant of all elements and is mostly found in its molecular form combined with another chemical as a compound (e.g. water, methane).