An Assessment of Pico Hydro as an Option for Off-grid Electrification in Lao PDR: case study of Thapene village

Abstract

The objectives of a Pico Hydro Power study at Thapene village are improving the knowledge of people handling the Pico Hydro systems safely, improving the technological side to establish a higher efficiency, and improving the knowledge of the people concerning energy management. In Thapene, situated at the Khouang Xi River, in a small village near the former capital of Louang Prabang in Lao PDR, in one of the poorest countries of the world the inhabitants refuse any grid connection as they run their own power stations, small but efficiently. The power consumption for each household has been limited to 2 lamps of maximum 8 W each, with a monthly price of 8,000 KIP (0.75 $). This system has been run by the village up to now with the head of the Village assuming financial and maintenance responsibility. There is one responsible technician who was taught by the project installers, and still maintains the system properly. As when using electrical energy for light only, the demand also grows for using electric equipment such as fans, radios, stereos or televisions.

In Thapene village there are 50 households and load demand per family is about 95 Watt. The total Pico Hydro systems installed are 21 units, full power capacity 26 kW but generate power supply only 4.80 kW for the basic require load demand 7.28 kW. After improve the efficiency of BOS (Balance Of System) power supply can be improved capacities from 4.80 kW to 7.28 kW , the power supply efficiency of system improve from 18.50 % to 28 % respectively . The off grid electrification at Thapene village is completely provided by Pico Hydro by 100 % by the people of the village.

After training operators of the Pico Hydro system will able to understand the correct way in which to handle the system by continuous knowledge build-up regarding energy management. These two important aspects have made the project enormously successful.