Rural electrification using solar-hydro energy- a Long Pasia Scenario

The Long Pasia Project

• Started by Lightup Borneo,

• UMPEDAC started collaboration with Lightup Borneo in 2014.

• University of Malaya High Impact Research Project- Hybrid Solar Research Suitable for Rural Electrification (UM/HIR/MOHE/ENG/22) supports the project.

Where is Long Pasia

Sarawak

How to go to Long Pasia

• Bus from Kota Kinabalu to Sipitang (3 hr.)

• 4 Wheel Drive from Sipitang to Long Pasia (5 hr.)

Road to Long Pasia Dry Season

Road to Long Pasia Wet Season

Bus to Sipitang

The people of Long Pasia The Lun Dayeh

Background • Long Pasia is situated at the confluence of the

Pasia River and Matang River.

• About 80 houses.

• Main Economic Activities

Rice Farming

Hunting

Tourism

Forest Gathering

Confluence of the Pasia River and the Matang River

The Solar Home Project • Given by the government since 1997

• 40 units of solar home systems (BP-solar, 12 V system) was installed.

• 4 units of BP-solar, 24 V system were installed later (unknown installation date).

• Solar home systems (Suntech, 12 V) were installed in mid 2012.

Solar Home System Investigation

The research assistant visited the Church and 11 village houses and did:

• visual inspection,

• no-load test,

• interviewing the users.

Problems Encountered

• Solar panels shaded by trees.

Panels are dirty and covered with dust

Damaged solar panels

Damaged Batteries

Missing Charge Controllers -direct charging from solar panels

Inappropriate Wirings

The Church Solar System

The church has 2 sets of solar home system that has been combined to provide electrical power.

Load: AC powered village free WiFi system.

Layout of the Church Solar System

Unknown spec and

wiring method solar

panel

BP Solar panels, measured open voltage (avr.):19V

BP Solar 24V

charge

controller

Series

connected

(2x12V) battery BP Solar

24V inverter Load

Observation of the Church Solar System

• Unstable WiFi service depending on the presence of sunlight.

• Mix type of batteries ( Gel type and automobile lead-acid type batteries are connected in series).

• Solar cells were observed to be brownish.

Pastor’s House (Church Solar System)

• The system is able to provide substantial power for 3 units of 18W compact fluorescence light (CFL) bulbs during evening and 1 CFL bulb throughout the night until the next morning.

• System becomes less reliable during rainy season.

Conclusions from the Investigation

2012 solar system

• Insufficient power during rainy season.

• Damaged batteries.

• Damaged and missing charge controller.

• Improper wiring of solar home systems.

Older solar home system

• Insufficient power.

• Damaged batteries.

• Solar cells were observed to be brownish.

• Damaged and missing charge controller.

• Improper wiring of solar home systems.

Insufficient power generation • Due to the altitude of the village, most of the time

the village is covered under thick layer of cloud.

• An average number of hours of direct sunlight during dry season is around 4 to 5 hours;

• During rainy season there might be no direct sunlight.

• Most solar arrays are covered with a thick layer of algae and some are covered by shades (either trees or even shadow of a house).

Damaged batteries

• Batteries are often either overcharged or undercharged.

• Charge controllers are bypassed.

Suggestions

• Introduce LED light bulbs.

• Ensure proper installation.

• Replace all damaged batteries.

• Prevent undercharge/overcharge of batteries.

Suggestions

• Clean the solar panels

• Educational workshops on basic maintenance and wiring.

• Increase the number of solar panels.

• Introduce hydro system.

• Introduce a pico-grid system.

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Floating-Hydro Generator

Next

• Design hydro generators for the floating-hydro system.

• Design smaller-sized modular floating hydro systems.

• Consolidate electrical installation system for better safety and reliability.

Finally • Rollout pico-hydro generation systems for

rural villages in Malaysia.

Conclusion

• Hydro energy is a useful alternative energy source for Long Pasia.

• The solar system can be combined with the hydro system to form a more reliable energy source.

• Basic maintenance workshops are needed.

THE END