The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development (eBook)

Alexander Zahnd is currently international project director at RIDS-Switzerland (www.rids-switzerland.org) and international project supervisor at RIDS-Nepal (www.rids-nepal.org). He received his PhD in Renewable Energy from Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, in 2012. In 1996 he started to develop and apply the new concepts of holistic community development (HCD)  as a way to improve the overall quality of life of the most remote and poorest mountain communities in the Himalayas. He co-founded the not-for-profit NGO RIDS-Nepal (www.rids-nepal.org) in 2002 and the NGO RIDS-Switzerland (www.rids-switzerland.org) in 2013, both with the goal to develop further HCD projects for mountain communities. From 2001-2010 he has been teaching a renewable energy course at the Kathmandu University in Dhulikhel, Nepal, as well as conducting research in the field of renewable energy technologies for communities and industries in developing countries. Because of his engagement in the field of applied HCD in remote Nepalese villages and his involvement in academic education of engineers in Nepal, he was elected as a member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) in 2007.

Supervisor’s Foreword 10
Preface 12
Acknowledgments 14
Contents 17
Abbreviations and Acronyms 25
1 Introduction 31
1.1…Background and Context 31
1.1.1 A Glimpse at Nepal’s History 32
1.1.2 The Geography and Climate of Nepal 33
1.1.3 A Glimpse at the Ethnicity and Religion in Nepal 35
1.1.4 A Glimpse at Nepali Culture 36
1.1.5 A Short Overview of Nepal’s Politics and Government 38
1.1.6 A Brief Discourse on Poverty and Economy in Nepal 40
1.1.7 A Brief Discourse on Development in Nepal 44
1.1.8 A Glimpse into Humla 48
1.1.9 Contribution of This Research to New Knowledge 58
1.2…Sustainability and Development 61
1.2.1 The Need for Holistic Community Development 63
1.3…Research Questions and Objectives 67
1.3.1 Research Questions 67
1.3.2 Primary Objective 68
1.3.3 Additional Specific Objectives 68
1.3.4 Significance of the Research 70
1.4…Chapter Formulation 71
2 Theory and Context 77
2.1…Introduction 77
2.2…Comprehensive Approaches to Community Development 78
2.3…Hard to Measure and Lacking ‘‘Results’’ Triggers Donors’ Response 79
2.4…Lessons from the Field 80
2.5…Comprehensive Versus Selective Approaches Needs in Humla, Nepal 84
2.6…The Role of Renewable Energy Technologies in HCD 86
2.7…Basic Village Electrification System for People in Humla 87
2.8…Restoring the Importance of Holistic Community Development: The ‘‘Family of 4’’ and the ‘‘Family of 4 PLUS’’ 92
2.9…Sociocultural Features of the Villages and Our Field Staff Team 96
2.10…The ‘‘Family of 4’’ 98
2.10.1 Pit Latrine for a More Hygienic and Private Environment (1st in the ‘‘Family of 4’’) 99
2.10.2 Smokeless Metal Stove for High-Altitude (2nd in the ‘‘Family of 4’’) 99
2.10.3 Solar PV System (3rd in the ‘‘Family of 4’’) 101
2.10.4 Clean Drinking Water from a Community Owned Spring (4th in the ‘‘Family of 4’’) 105
2.11…The ‘‘Family of 4 PLUS’’ 107
2.11.1 Greenhousing and Solar Driers 107
2.11.2 Non-Formal Education Classes for Mothers and Out-of-School Children 107
2.11.3 Nutrition for Malnourished Children lessthan 5 years of age 108
2.11.4 Solar Heated Bathing Centre 109
2.11.5 Slow Sand Water Filter (SSWF) 110
2.11.6 Solar Cooker 112
2.11.7 Karnali Technical School 113
2.12…Expected Results 113
References 116
3 Power/Energy Generation and Lighting 119
3.1…Nepalrsquors Energy Consumption Pattern 119
3.2…Approaches for Improved Energy Services for the Poorest of the Poor in Nepalrsquors Remote Himalayan Villages 121
3.2.1 Grid Connection 122
3.2.2 RAPS Systems 123
3.2.3 Basic Rural Village Electrification 125
3.2.4 Appropriate Lighting Technologies 127
3.3…Technologies Appropriate for Improved Energy Services in Nepalrsquors Remote Himalayan Villages 129
3.3.1 Hydro Power Plants 130
3.3.1.1 Pico-Hydro Power Plants and Case Study 130
3.3.2 Solar PV Systems 137
3.3.2.1 Solar PV Home System (SHS) and Case Study 138
3.3.2.2 Solar PV Village Cluster System and Case Study 144
3.3.2.3 Solar PV Central Village System and Case Study 148
3.3.3 Small Scale Wind Generator System and Case Study 154
3.4…The Need for Ongoing Field-Based Research, Equipment Development and Field Based Testing 157
3.5…Design Approach for a Contextualised Solar PV Village Electrification System for a Remote Himalayan Village 158
3.5.1 Important Parameters to be Identified and Specified 159
3.5.2 Social Parameters 160
3.5.2.1 Population Growth 160
3.5.2.2 Economic Growth 161
3.5.2.3 Educational Experience 161
3.5.2.4 Lighting Services Needed 162
3.5.2.5 Ownership 164
3.5.3 Technical Parameters 164
3.5.3.1 Load Demand and Load Growth 164
3.5.3.2 Life-Expectancy 164
3.5.3.3 Solar Energy Resource Assessment 166
3.5.3.4 Availability, Reliability, Days of Independence 168
3.5.3.5 Maintenance and Repair 170
3.5.4 The Optimised Basic Rural Village Solar PV System 171
3.5.4.1 Tools for the Simulation and Design of Basic Rural Village Solar PV Systems 172
3.5.5 Case Study: The Dhadhaphaya Village Solar PV System 173
3.5.6 Lessons Learned 176
3.6…Solar PV Systems in Remote Himalayan Villages in Nepal: Problems Encountered and Practical Solutions 177
3.7…Technical Problems 177
3.7.1 Solar PV Module 178
3.7.2 Solar PV Module Frame 178
3.7.3 Solar PV Module to Charge-Controller 179
3.7.4 Charge-/Discharge-Controller 179
3.7.5 Battery-Bank 180
3.7.6 House Wiring 183
3.7.7 Indoor Lighting 184
3.8…Non-Technical Problems 185
3.8.1 Energy Demand/Need Assessment 186
3.8.2 Awareness Raising of the Need for Improved Lighting Services 187
3.8.3 Training for Solar PV System Operation and Maintenance 188
3.8.4 Installation and Follow-Up 189
3.8.5 Performance Monitoring 190
3.9…Technical Remedies 190
3.9.1 Solar PV Module 191
3.9.2 Solar PV Module Frame 192
3.9.3 Solar PV Module to Charge-Controller 193
3.9.4 Charge-/Discharge-Controller 194
3.9.5 Battery-Bank 195
3.9.6 House Wiring 198
3.9.7 Indoor Lighting 200
3.10…Non-Technical Remedies 203
3.10.1 Energy Demand/Need Assessment 203
3.10.2 Awareness Raising, Lighting Technology and the ‘‘Family of 4rdquor Concept 204
3.10.3 Training for Solar PV System Operation and Maintenance 205
3.10.4 Installation and Follow-Up 206
3.10.5 Performance Monitoring 208
3.10.6 Summary 209
3.11…The Importance of Monitoring of Performance: Analysis of a Rural Solar PV Electrification Project 211
3.11.1 Pamlatum Village Solar PV Cluster Data Monitoring System 213
3.11.2 Tulin Village Central Solar PV System Data Monitoring 216
3.11.3 Analysis 218
3.11.3.1 Locally Available Solar Energy Resource 218
3.11.3.2 Power Generation 222
3.11.3.3 Energy Storage 224
3.11.3.4 Load Demand 226
3.11.3.5 System Performance Ratio (PR) 227
3.11.3.6 System Efficiency 229
3.11.3.7 Summary of the Tulin and Pamlatum Village Power Projects 229
3.12…Identification and Evaluation of the Losses Occurring in a Solar PV System under Field Conditions in Humla, Nepal 231
3.12.1 RIDS-Nepalrsquors Simikot Office Solar PV System Definition 231
3.12.2 A Solar PV Systemrsquors Key System Losses 233
3.12.2.1 Solar PV Module Production Losses 233
3.12.2.2 Tilt Angle and Sun Tracking 233
3.12.2.3 Solar PV Module Temperature related Losses 236
3.12.2.4 Battery Losses 238
3.12.2.5 Solar PV Array Mismatch Losses 242
3.12.2.6 Dirt, Snow and Dust related Losses 243
3.12.2.7 Cable Sizing 244
3.12.2.8 Inverter Losses 246
3.12.2.9 Summary 247
3.13…Possible Human Development Index (HDI) Improvement Through Elementary WLED Indoor Lighting 248
3.13.1 HDI for the Humla District in Nepal 249
3.13.2 Possible HDI Improvement Through Elementary WLED Indoor Lighting in Humla Homes 250
3.13.3 Healthy Long Life 251
3.13.4 Education 251
3.13.5 GDP Per Capita 252
3.13.6 Summary 252
References 253
4 Thermal and Processing Technologies 256
4.1…High-Altitude Smokeless Metal Stove: Research, Development and Implementation Project 256
4.1.1 Firewood Consumption, Cooking Method and Health Impact in Rural Areas 257
4.1.2 High-Altitude ‘‘Jumla Design’’ Smokeless Metal Stove 261
4.1.3 KU-1 Secondary Combustion Smokeless Metal Stove Prototype 264
4.1.4 KU-2 Secondary Combustion Smokeless Metal Stove Prototype 266
4.1.5 Comparison ‘‘Jumla Design’’ and the KU-2 Secondary Combustion SMS 269
4.1.5.1 Firewood Consumption and Burner Temperatures 269
4.1.5.2 Gas Flue and Chimney Temperature 272
4.1.5.3 Combustion Chamber Temperature 274
4.1.6 Secondary Combustion Air Temperature for KU-2 Prototype 275
4.1.7 KU-3 Secondary Combustion Stove Prototype 276
4.1.8 Conclusions 277
4.2…Thermal Evaluation of a Greenhouse in the Remote High-Altitude Area of Humla, Nepal 278
4.2.1 Introduction 278
4.2.2 Humla Valley 279
4.2.3 High-Altitude Greenhouses 279
4.2.4 The RIDS-Nepal Greenhouse in Simikot 280
4.2.5 Measurement 282
4.2.6 Simulation Model 284
4.2.6.1 Model Description 284
4.2.6.2 Model Validation 285
4.2.7 Performance Improvements 287
4.2.7.1 Thermal Screen 288
4.2.7.2 Wall Insulation 288
4.2.7.3 Solar Sleeves 289
4.2.7.4 Impact Strategies 290
4.2.8 Conclusions 291
4.3…Evaluation of a Solar Drier in a High-Altitude Area of Nepal 292
4.3.1 Introduction 292
4.3.2 Solar Drier Description 293
4.3.3 Evaluation Methodology 295
4.3.3.1 Flow Rate Measurement 295
4.3.3.2 Efficiencies 296
4.3.4 Instrumentation 296
4.3.5 Results and Discussions 296
4.3.5.1 No-Load Conditions 296
4.3.5.2 Full-Load Conditions 298
4.3.5.3 Efficiencies 300
4.3.5.4 Financial Evaluation 300
4.3.6 Alternative Solar Drier 301
4.3.7 Conclusions 303
4.4…High-Altitude Solar Water Heater 303
4.4.1 High-Altitude Solar Water Heater Community Bathing Centre in Humla, Nepal 303
4.4.1.1 Introduction 303
4.4.1.2 Solar Water Heaters in Nepal 304
4.4.1.3 Kathmandu University and RIDS-Nepal HASWH R& D
4.4.1.4 Prototype Testing of the 1st Generation HASWH 306
4.4.1.5 2nd Generation HASWH, Prototype Testing and First Results 310
4.4.1.6 Discussion of 2nd Generation HASWH Prototype Test 318
4.4.1.7 Darapori Village HASWH Community Bathing Centre 319
4.4.1.8 The HASWH Bathing Centre as an Integrated Part of a Holistic Community Development Project 325
4.4.1.9 Lessons Learned 325
4.4.2 Prediction of Hot Water Usage in a Solar Heated Community Bathing Centre in Humla, Nepal 326
4.4.2.1 Introduction 326
4.4.2.2 TRNSYS Model 327
4.4.2.3 Checking the Design Aim 329
4.4.2.4 Alternative Operating Strategies 330
4.4.2.5 Discussion 331
4.4.2.6 Conclusions 332
4.5…Summary 332
References 333
5 Thermal Comfort in the Home 336
5.1…Improving Comfort Levels in Traditional High-Altitude Humla Houses 336
5.2…Previous Research 337
5.3…Typical Humli House 339
5.4…Indoor Thermal Environment 341
5.5…Comfort Assessment 344
5.6…TRNSYS Model 347
5.6.1 Model Validation 347
5.7…Performance Improvements 352
5.7.1 Reduced Infiltration 352
5.7.2 Improved Insulation 352
5.7.3 Sunspaces 353
5.7.4 Sunspaces Plus Improved Insulation 353
5.7.5 Impact of Improvement Strategies on Comfort Levels 353
5.8…Conclusion 354
References 355
6 Social and Environmental Issues 357
6.1…Solar Battery Recycling in Rural Electrification 357
6.1.1 Introduction 357
6.1.2 Analysis 359
6.1.2.1 The Nepali Market for Solar Home Systems 359
6.1.2.2 A Description of the Humla Region 361
6.1.2.3 Scenario 1: Laissez-faire 362
6.1.2.4 Scenario 2: Monitoring Through NGO but No Recycling 363
6.1.2.5 Scenario 3: Monitoring and Collection Through NGO 365
6.1.2.6 Setting-up a Recycling Programme in Practice 366
6.1.3 Conclusions 368
6.2…Responses to Innovation in Rural Nepal 368
6.2.1 Introduction 368
6.2.2 Agro-Pastoralists: ‘‘Conservative’’? 369
6.2.3 Vulnerable Livelihoods in Humla District 369
6.2.4 Health and Environmental Concerns 370
6.2.5 The Maoist Insurgency 371
6.2.6 The Comprehensive ‘‘Family of 4’’ Concept 372
6.2.7 Unexpected Differences in Responses to Innovation 374
6.2.8 The Influence of the Degree of Poverty 374
6.2.9 Advantages of a Holistic and Iterative Approach 376
References 377
7 Discussion 379
7.1…Achievements 379
7.2…Findings 380
7.2.1 Impacts of the ‘‘Family of 4’’ HCD Projects 381
7.2.2 Impact on Respiratory Ailments Through Reduction of Indoor Air Pollution by the Smokeless Metal Stove and Indoor Lighting 388
7.2.2.1 Indoor Air Pollutants PM10, PM2.5 and TSP 390
7.2.2.2 Carbon Monoxide (CO) 390
7.2.2.3 Respiratory Symptoms Before and After the Introduction of the Smokeless Metal Stove and Indoor Lighting 391
7.2.2.4 Seasonal Influence 395
7.2.2.5 Example of 24 h PM2.5 and CO IAP Measurements in Humla 396
7.2.2.6 Main Study Findings Highlighted 399
7.2.3 What Other Changes are Needed 403
7.3…Have the Research Questions been Answered? 404
7.4…Have the Research Objectives been Met? 406
7.5…Results and Benefits of Holistic Community Development 412
7.6…The Role of Renewable Energy Technology in Holistic Community Development 414
7.7…Conclusions 414
References 416
8 Conclusions 418
8.1…Summary of Findings 418
8.2…Contributions, Benefits and Beneficiaries of this Research 426
8.3…Suggestions for Further Work 430
References 437
Appendix 1 Nepal Calendar—Western Calendar 438
Appendix 2 Exchange Rates (Nepali Rupees per US Dollar) 441
Appendix 3 A Short History of Nepal 445
Appendix 4 Geography, Climate and Geology of Nepal 452
Appendix 5 Ethnicity and Religion in Nepal 457
Appendix 6 The Culture of Nepal 462
Appendix 7 Politics and Government in Nepal 472
Appendix 8 Poverty and Economy in Nepal 477
Appendix 9 Development in Nepal 487
Appendix 10 Discourse on Sustainability and Development 497
Appendix 11 Nepal’s Renewable Energy Resources 510
Appendix 12 Discourse on Light Emitting Diodes 524
Appendix 13 Testing and Evaluation of WLED Lamps Manufactured in Nepal 536
Appendix 14 Base-Line and Follow-Up Survey Questionnaires 549
Appendix 15 RIDS-Nepal Web Site 553
Appendix 16 RIDS-Nepal Videos 555
Appendix 17 RIDS-Nepal NFE Workbooks, Booklets, Cards and Games 558
Appendix 18 RIDS-Nepal Solar PV System Training Manual 563
Appendix 19 RIDS-Nepal Brochures 564
Appendix 20 Flip Charts 571
Appendix 21 Humla Environment and Culture Pictures 574
Appendix 22 RIDS-Nepal Posters 576
Appendix 23 RIDS-Nepal Songs 579
Appendix 24 Supervised Dissertations 580
Appendix 25 Pictures of the ‘‘Family of 4’’ 581
Appendix 26 Pictures of the ‘‘Family of 4 PLUS’’ 583
Appendix 27 Renewable Energy Course 586
Appendix 28 Humla Virtual Tour 596
Appendix 29 RIDS-Nepal Power Point Presentation, Vision, Mission, HCD Concepts, Project Examples, 3 Tier Working Principle 598
Appendix 30 Data Monitoring System Documentations 600
Appendix 31 Humla Google Earth Tour Video 606
Short CV of the Author 609
Glossary of Nepali Terms 611
References 617