Decentralized Micro-hydro Energy Systems in Nepal: En Route to Sustainable Energy Development

Pokharel, Govind Raj; Chhetri, A. B.; Khan, M. Ibrahim; Islam, M.R.

doi:10.1080/15567240600815083

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Not long ago, the challenges facing Nepal's electricity sector were summarised as "daunting", "overwhelming, and dire" [45] (p.518). Yet even critical commentators acknowledge that hydropower may have a role to play in the development of the country [1], although some may prefer a focus on the small, mini-and micro-hydropower sectors, particularly when it comes to supplying remote rural communities [39,85,86].…”

Section: Hydropower Development In Nepalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of hydropower development in Nepal: Views from the private sector

Schulz

Saklani

2021

Renewable Energy

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Section: Hydropower Development In Nepalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of hydropower development in Nepal: Views from the private sector

Schulz

Saklani

2021

Renewable Energy

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“…The peltric sets are the generators where pelton turbine and electric generators are designed and constructed in a single unit. Figure 4 shows the trend of cumulative installation of MHP in Nepal untill 2003. In this setting, the development of decentralized renewable energy systems such as micro-hydro power (MHP) provides economically feasible and environmentally friendly options in rural areas (Pokharel et al, 2007;Khan et al, 2007a;Khan et al, 2007b, Pokharel, 2006). This will not only help reduce the foreign dependency on fossil fuel but help build the local economy maintaining a clean environment at least at household level.…”

Section: Micro Hydro Power Development In Nepalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So the condition of constant or increased natural capital is well satisfied, hence MHPs are environmentally sustainable. Source: Calculation based on Banskota and Sharma, 1997a, Broek and Lemmes, 1997, World Bank, 1996, Plas and De Graaff, 1988, Pokharel et al, 2007. * Considering 6 hours of lighting in case of kerosene wick lamp and consumption of kerosene per wick lamp is about 0.041 liter/hr (e.g.…”

Section: Output Capitals Input Capitalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability of Micro-Hydrosystems — A Case Study

Chhetri

Pokharel

Islam

2009

Energy & Environment

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Energy development and management has been a crucial subject due to recent concerns of energy shortages and increasing oil prices. Energy is not only the major driver of economic development but also a major precursor for global environmental problems due to emission of pollutants including greenhouse gases. The development of sustainable energy systems that do not have net negative impacts into ecology, economy and society has been given due considerations recently. In order to determine whether a particular energy system is sustainable, a set of criteria can be used to evaluate them. In this study, a decentralized community based micro hydro system in Nepal has been evaluated for its sustainability by using environmental, economic and social criteria. From the sustainability analysis, it is found that decentralized community based micro hydro systems are sustainable in the long-term. This model can also be applied to evaluate sustainability of any other energy systems of similar settings.

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“…Some MHPs have effective management structures and bookkeeping but in many cases there is no record keeping or proper accounting [3,16,20,21]. There is often a lack of understanding on how the addition of new PEUs and appliances would affect the overall electricity demand and generated income.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Modelling of Micro-Hydropower Mini-Grids in Nepal to Improve Financial Sustainability and Enable Electric Cooking

Clements

Pandit²,

Bajracharya

et al. 2021

Energies

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In rural Nepal, micro-hydropower plant mini-grids provide renewable electricity to thousands of communities but the plants often have poor financial sustainability. Widespread uptake of electric cooking in such communities is currently not feasible due to high peak loads and limited capacity. In this paper, we develop a Remote-Areas Multi-Energy Systems Load Profiles (RAMP)-based stochastic techno-economic model for evaluating the economic viability of off-grid communities and improving their financial sustainability by introducing new appliances, productive end uses, and demand-side management measures. The model can be used to understand community electricity demand, assess economic status, determine equitable and profitable tariff structures, and plan new connections including electric cooking promotion or new industrial machines. Detailed electric cooking load modelling functionality was developed to represent Nepali cooking practices, scalable to approximate widespread uptake of electric cooking, and adaptable to other cookers and contexts. The model showed that a payment structure based on electricity consumption rather than a flat tariff could increase the income of a case study community in Eastern Nepal by 400%, although increased monthly payments for certain households from NPR 110 (USD 0.93) to NPR 500–1100 (USD 4.22–9.29) could present difficulty. However, households could reduce their electricity consumption and a more equitable tariff structure could be chosen while preserving plant profitability. The number of industrial machines such as mills could be doubled and up to 40 households provided with electric cookers if demand-side management measures were introduced.

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Decentralized Micro-hydro Energy Systems in Nepal: En Route to Sustainable Energy Development

Cited by 4 publications

References 7 publications

The future of hydropower development in Nepal: Views from the private sector

The future of hydropower development in Nepal: Views from the private sector

Sustainability of Micro-Hydrosystems — A Case Study

Techno-Economic Modelling of Micro-Hydropower Mini-Grids in Nepal to Improve Financial Sustainability and Enable Electric Cooking

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