Micro Hydro Power

Title: Micro Hydro Power Document Type: FS
Document No. Revision Page of Date

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Summary of Changes

Rev Detailed Description of Deletion or Changes (List changes
by relevant section numbers; for deletions, list
superceded document)
Effective
Date
Revised
By
New Initial Release 12-Nov-09 0134

Prepared By: Date:
_________________________________ __________________________
Mohd Afzanizam Mohd Badrin (0144)
Custodian

Approved By: Date:
_________________________________ __________________________
Major (R) Zailani Safari (0134)
Project Manager

NOTE: If the content of the fact sheet has changed completely, indicate a "complete
revision" rather than listing each section number change. Minimum last 2 revision of the
historical information should be maintained in the Summary of Changes.
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MICRO HYDRO POWER

1.0 Definition:

1.1 Large hydropower: Electricity from water flowing downhill, typically from
behind a dam. Large hydro usually entails a substantial reservoir and is
usually defined as larger than 10 megawatts; the definition can vary by
country.

1.2 Small/mini/micro/pico hydropower: Small installations drawing power from
running water, usually without a large reservoir. The prefix defines the scale.

Table 1: Status of Hydropower TechnologiesCharacteristics and Cost
Technology Typical Characteristics
Typical Energy Costs
(U.S. cents/kilowatt-hour)
Power Generation
Large hydro
Plant size: 10 megawatts (MW)
18,000 MW
34
Small hydro Plant size: 110 MW 47
Rural (off-grid) Energy
Mini-hydro
Plant capacity: 1001,000
kilowatts (kW)
510
Micro-hydro Plant capacity: 1100 kW 720
Pico-hydro Plant capacity: 0.11 kW 2040

2.0 Introduction:

Water power can be harnessed in many ways; tidal flows can be utilised to produce power
by building a barrage across an estuary and releasing water in a controlled manner through
a turbine; large dams hold water which can be used to provide large quantities of electricity;
wave power is also harnessed in various ways. Large hydropower represents 3 percent and
is growing modestly, primarily in developing countries
i
.
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Water can be harnessed on a large or a small scale - Table 2, below outlines the categories
used to define the power output from hydropower. Micro-hydro power is the small-scale
harnessing of energy from falling water; for example, harnessing enough water from a local
river to power a small factory or village. This fact sheet will concentrate mainly at small-
hydro power
ii
.

Large- hydro More than 100 MW and usually feeding into a large electricity grid
Medium-hydro 15 - 100 MW - usually feeding a grid
Small-hydro 1 - 15 MW - usually feeding into a grid
Mini-hydro Above 100 kW, but below 1 MW; either stand alone schemes or more
often feeding into the grid
Micro-hydro Ranging from a few hundred watts for battery charging or food
processing applications up to 100 kW; usually provided power for a
small community or rural industry in remote areas away from the grid.
Table 2: Classification of hydropower by size.
kW (kilowatt) - 1000 Watts; MW (megawatt) - 1 000 000 Watts or 1000 kW

Micro-hydro systems use flowing water to turn a water turbine that generates electricity in
an alternator
iii
. They are viable as small-scale electricity generators that can provide
electricity supply to a building or property. The efficiency of most micro-hydro generators
founds in a range of from 30 to 70%. Small hydropower sources are identified as suitable for
use particularly in remote rural areas where wheels can be used instead of dams with no
discernible environmental impacts.

In the case of Malaysia, currently some remote areas utilised diesel generators or solar
hybrid systems. Unfortunately, logistics matters to ensure constant supply of diesel and
photovoltaic cell maintenance might hinder the technology applications. By virtue of the
constraint, the availability of hydro source can be alternate to overcome these problems.

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3.0 Micro-hydro System:

A micro-hydro system typically includes:
a water source a continuous flow of water (such as a creek, stream, waterfall,
small dam or spring-fed dam), with a drop in level, that can be wholly or partially
redirected through a micro-hydro system
a turbine which is turned by water acting on the blades of a runner or wheel. There
are two main micro-hydro turbine types namely a reaction turbine and an impulse
turbine
a water intake or forebay this is a catchment space to direct water into the turbine
inlet pipe, while allowing sediment to settle and maintaining the water pressure
head (examples include a dam, weir, bin, box, or channel race from a stream)
a filter a mesh to catch leaves, sticks, stones and debris and stop them entering the
water intake pipe, where they may otherwise block the pipe, reduce water pressure,
cause rapid pressure fluctuations or damage the turbine
water inlet pipeline or penstock the pipe transferring water from the water intake
pipe to the turbine, which should at the inlet be fully submerged in water
water outlet pipeline or tailrace or draft pipe the pipe discharging water from the
turbine and back to the stream or creek (a water outlet pipeline may not be included
with an impulse turbine, as, in general, this type of turbine freely sprays out water)
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alternator alternating current electricity is generated by rotor windings connected
to the shaft from the turbine turning inside the stator windings of the alternator
body
rectifier is generally mounted on the micro-hydro unit (where required) to convert
AC to DC for electricity that is being sent to a battery storage system. The generator
initially produces AC, but is called a DC generator if the output electricity is
immediately sent through the rectifier
electricity cables electrical cables transfer the electricity from the generator within
the micro-hydro to the electricity supply or storage system
a spill way or bypass so that excess water can flow past the system or allow the
system to be shut down.

4.0 Small Scale Hydro Power Turbine Technology:

The Australian Michell or 'Banki' turbine is
known as one of the simplest and most efficient
types of water turbine for small-scale. It is
similar to the 'barrel' fan often seen in water-
evaporative air conditioners and in some small
'blower-heaters' for home use. However this
type of turbine requires a high head, high flow
rate and high pressure to work. Other types of water turbine are Pelton Wheels, used in
high pressure systems that have relatively low flow rates but very high 'head'; Francis-type
turbines for use in higher flow rates and lower 'heads'; and Tyson turbines that are mounted
on a raft for anchoring in flowing streams and used at the very slow flow-rates. At the
bottom end of the technology scale are the water-wheels. These water-wheels are proven
and mature technology, although at a simple design level. They are able to work in lower
head and slow flow rate. Table 3 summarizes the criteria of the small scale hydro power
turbine technology.

Induction Generator
Source: UNITEN
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Table 3: Hydro Power Technology Design Specification
iv

Type of water turbines Pressure
Flow rate
l/sec
Head Power
Michell or Banki Turbine High High High 200 kW
Peltons Wheel High Low High 10 kW
Francis Turbine High Higher Medium 100 kW
Tyson Turbine Low Very slow rate Low 3 kW
Water wheel Low Slow Low 5 kW

5.0 Accessing Suitable Sites for Micro-Hydro Project:

Malaysia is blessed with an abundance of water
resources, which if properly harnessed can
provide rural communities with a clean and
valuable source of energy. From the observation,
it is found that the dominant occupation in
nearly all villages with micro-hydro systems is
subsistence farming, while another is mostly
engaged in extracting forest products and eco-tourism. There are some 150-river systems in
Peninsular Malaysia and about 50 river systems in Sabah and Sarawak
v
. Malaysias principal
rivers are the Kinabatangan (564 kilometres in length), Rajang (560 kilometres), Pahang (434
kilometres), Baram (400 kilometres), Lupar (230 kilometres), and Limbang (196 kilometres).
A recent study identified the renewable energy resource potential in Malaysia for hydro is
estimated to be RM506 million/year
vi
.

To assess the suitability of a potential site, the hydrology of the site needs to be known and
a site survey carried out, to determine actual flow and head data. Hydrological information
can be obtained from the meteorology or irrigation department usually run by the national
government.

Jeram Tui,Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan
Source: UNITEN
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Malaysia receives an annual average of 990 billion m3 of water resources
vii
. In addition,
ccombinations of highland areas with huge river networks promise Malaysia with a lot of
hydro power potential. To date Malaysia had utilized these potential in the range of large
and mini hydropower but not in the micro hydro range. UNITEN had carried out a research
project on Micro Hydro Potential in Malaysia (MOSTI Science Fund Research Grant No. 03-
02-03-SF0035). Reconnaissance study of the potential sites suitable for micro hydro was
conducted and it is expected that the complete data compilation will be finalised before end
of May 2009.

Project Result: Data on potential sites

o The potential sites were identified by analyzing data mainly from Department of
Survey and Mapping Malaysia and Metrological Department Malaysia and verified by
few site visits. In this study, the two main criteria used to determine the micro hydro
potential are:
Available head must be above 50m, because of economic reason.
Sites are accessible by road and/or evidence of settlement near the sites

o Data on micro hydro potential sites includes:
Physiographic characteristics of the site which include name of the river, from
which hill its flowing from, the highest and lowest elevation in the area and
whether the area has reserve forest or not.
Topography description, terrain description, estimation of catchment boundary
and area.
Preliminary planning on site which include estimation on the diversion for good
flow, estimation of gross head etc.
Description of site
Probability of potential which include accessibility, energy demand, etc.

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5.1 National Hydrology Information:

The principal hydrological agency in Malaysia is the Hydrology Division of the Department of
Irrigation and Drainage (DID). The Hydrology Division of the Department of Irrigation and
Drainage acts as the national service. The Division is responsible for the collection, collation,
processing, analysing and dissemination to end-users of hydrological data and information.
Data collection is at State level, with archiving, analysis etc at Federal level.

Table 4: National Register of River Basins
viii

RBMU
RIVER(S)
BASIN
AREA (km
2
)
STATE(S)
NO. NAME
A. PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
01 Perlis Perlis 790 Perlis / Kedah
02 P. Langkawi Small River 475 Kedah
03 Kedah Kedah, etc. 3,695 Kedah / Perlis
04 Merbok Merbok, etc. 520 Kedah
05 Muda Muda, Tembus 4,300 Kedah / P. Pinang
06 Perai Perai, Juru, Jawi 895 P. Pinang / Kedah
07 P. Pinang P. Pinang, etc 300 P. Pinang
08 Kerian Kerian 1,420 Kedah / P. Pinang / Perak
09 Kurau Kurau, Beruas, etc 3,255 Perak
10 Perak Perak 15,180 Perak
11 Bernam Bernam, etc 3,335 Perak
12 Tengi Tengi, etc 565 Selangor
13 Selangor Selangor 1,820 Selangor
14 Buloh Buloh, etc 560 Selangor
15 Klang Klang 1,425 Selangor
16 Langat Langat 1,815 Selangor / N. Sembilan
17 Sepang Sepang, etc 640 Selangor / N. Sembilan
18 Lingi Linggi, Bharu, etc 1,420 N. Sembilan / Melaka
19 Melaka
Melaka, Duyong,
etc
1,010 Melaka / N. Sembilan
20 Kesang Kesang 705
Melaka / N. Sembilan /
Johor
21 Muar Muar, etc 6,595
Johor / N. Sembilan /
Melaka / Pahang
22 Batu Pahat
Batu Pahat,
Senggarang
2,600 Johor
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RBMU
RIVER(S)
BASIN
AREA (km
2
)
STATE(S)
NO. NAME
23
South-West
Johor Rivers
Benut, etc
Pulai, Skudai,
Tebrau
2,660 Johor
24 Johor Johor, etc 3,250 Johor
25 Sedili Besar
Sedili Besar, Sedili
Kechil, etc
1,820 Johor
26 Mersing
Mersing, Teriang
Besar, Tenglu, etc
880 Johor
27 Endau Endau 4,740 Johor / Pahang
28 Rompin Rompin, Pontian 4,285 Pahang / Johor
29 Bebar Merchong, Bebar 1,895 Pahang
30 Pahang Pahang 29,300 Pahang / N. Sembilan
31 Kuantan Kuantan, etc 2,025 Pahang
32 Kemaman
Kemaman, Kemasik,
Kerteh
2,570 Terengganu
33 Paka Paka 850 Terengganu
34 Dungun Dungun 1,875 Terengganu
35 Merchang Merchang, Marang 760 Terengganu
36 Terengganu
Terengganu, Ibai,
etc
4,650 Terengganu
37 Setiu Setiu, Merang, etc 1,035 Terengganu
38 Besut Besut 1,230 Terengganu / Kelantan
39
Kemasin /
Semerak
Kemasin, Semerak,
etc
1,020
Kelantan / Terengganu
40 Kelantan Kelantan 13,100 Kelantan
41 Golok Golok 895 Kelantan / (Thailand)
Total : 132,160
B. SABAH
42 Pensiangan
Pensiangan,
Talankai, Sabutan,
etc.
5,971 Sabah
43 Serudong Serudong 1,308 Sabah
44 Kalabakan Kalabakan, etc. 1,371 Sabah
45 Brantian Brantian 741 Sabah
46 Umas-umas Umas-umas 553 Sabah
47 Merutai Besar Merutai Besar, etc. 558 Sabah
48 Tawau Tawau, etc. 888 Sabah
49 Kalumpang
Salumpang,
Tingkayu, etc.
2,792 Sabah
50 Silibukan Sahabat, Matamba, 2,714 Sabah
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RBMU
RIVER(S)
BASIN
AREA (km
2
)
STATE(S)
NO. NAME
etc.
51 Segama Segama 5,558 Sabah
52 Kinabatangan Kinabatangan, etc. 16,581 Sabah
53 Segalid Segalid 2,335 Sabah
54 Labuk
Labuk, Sepagaya,
etc.
6,829 Sabah
55 Sugut Sugut, etc. 3,094 Sabah
56 Paitan Paitan, etc. 1,474 Sabah
57 Bengkoka
Bengkoka,
Kanibonggan
1,943 Sabah
58 Bongan Bongan, etc. 2,191 Sabah
59 Kadamaian
Kedamaian
Wariul, etc.
1,386 Sabah
60 Tuaran Turan, Mulay 1,219 Sabah
61 Putatan Putatan, Moyog 629 Sabah
62 Papar Papar 805 Sabah
63 Kimanis Kimanis, Puas 572 Sabah
64 Membakut Membakut 736 Sabah
65 Padas Padas, Sook, etc. 9,180 Sabah
66 Labuan Labuan 91 Sabah
67 Lakutan
Lakutan,
Mengalong
1,291 Sabah
68 Total : 72,810
C. SARAWAK
69 Lawas Lawas 1,050 Sarawak
70 Trusan Trusan 2,615 Sarawak
71 Limbang Limbang 3,950 Sarawak
72 Baram Baram, Miri 22,930 Sarawak
73 Sibuti Sibuti 1020 Sarawak
74 Niah Niah 1,280 Sarawak
75 Suai Suai 1,540 Sarawak
76 Similajau Similajau 660 Sarawak
77 Kemena Kemena 6,100 Sarawak
78 Tatau Tatau 5,260 Sarawak
79 Balingian Balingian 2,510 Sarawak
80 Mukah Mukah 2,275 Sarawak
81 Oya Oya 2,195 Sarawak
82 Rajang Rajang 47,880 Sarawak
83 Krian Krian 1,500 Sarawak
84 Saribas Saribas 2,200 Sarawak
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RBMU
RIVER(S)
BASIN
AREA (km
2
)
STATE(S)
NO. NAME
85 Lupar Lupar 6,510 Sarawak
86 Sadong Sadong 3,550 Sarawak
87 Samarahan Samarahan 1,090 Sarawak
88 Sarawak Sarawak 2,375 Sarawak
89 Kayan Kayan 1,645 Sarawak
Total: 124,448
GRAND TOTAL : 329,418

At the national level, one explanation of some of the challenges that micro-hydroelectric
projects face is affected by the collective action and participation of users and industry
players. Meanwhile, access to water and the use, control and diversion of water flows is
subject to federal and state regulation. Other regulations apply to any physical alteration of
a stream channel or bank that may affect water quality or wildlife habitat. The hydro-power
systems do not create any pollution when they are operating, and generally offer highly
reliable power.

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6.0 Status of SREP Projects in Malaysia

The Government of Malaysia has
set a target of 350MW of new grid
connected electricity generation
capacity for renewable energy
sources by the end of 2010 in the
9th Malaysia Plan. Although
Malaysia has a significant resource
base of non-renewable energy (such as, oil, gas and coal), renewable sources of energy is
also utilised, thus forming the fifth-fuel policy of the Government. The Government through
the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is seriously looking at renewables as an
alternative energy source. Table below lists the status of Small Renewable Energy Program
(SREP) implementation in Malaysia, as of End 2008.

No Category
Mini hydro
No. of project Capacity (MW)
1 Projects commissioned by ST 0 0
2 Projects Licensed by ST 3 9
3 Approved Projects (yet to be licensed) 12 71.3
4 Cancelled projects 10 30.2
5 New application(not approved yet) 1 9
Source: Energy Commission, Malaysia

The Energy Commission (EC) is a government monitoring agency the national renewable
energy development under SREP program and it provides long-term regulatory assistance.
To develop the local capability in renewable energy sector, steps have been taken in order
to encourage the use and application of small hydro system. By looking at what has been
implemented by other countries, it is clear that without certain measures, there still lack of
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acceptance by the industry and members of the public. With this in mind, it is suggested
that attractive economic instruments should be introduced.

7.0 Project Development Issues:

Malaysia has extensive electricity coverage, including rural areas. Small hydro is often used
in autonomous or semiautonomous applications to replace diesel generators or other small-
scale power plants or to provide electricity to rural populations. Ninety-five percent of the
rural population is served through the grid
ix
. Even the more isolated areas are serviced
through diesel generators, solar, and mini-hydro sources.

Small hydro can provide alternative energy sources especially in areas with rivers flowing.
The scheme offers people with a reliable and clean source of electricity. However, the
electricity production from small hydro system is dependent on the amount of water
flowing in a stream. Mini hydro power plants have been in Malaysia since the early 90s,
however micro hydro projects with low nominal capacities of <100kW have yet to be
introduced.

CO2 emissions
[t/GWh]
Energy return
period [years]
Harvesting
factor [-]
Efficiencies [-]
Hydropower 8 1-3
40 (small) 200
(large)
0.7 0.9
Coal/Oil/Gas 830 1-2
4 30 (gas)
30 80 (coal)
0.2 0.4

In Malaysia, there are four public licensed mini hydro installations namely AMDB Perting
Hydro Sdn Bhd, Sg Perting, Bentong, Pahang (4.2MW), Syarikat Esajadi Power Sdn Bhd, Sg
Kaingaran, Tambunan, Sabah (2.5MW), Sg. Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah (2MW) and Sg.
Pangpuyan, Kota Belud, Sabah (4.5MW)
x
. There is also a demonstration of micro-hydro
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project at Long Lawen, Sarawak which was started in 1997. TNB Energy Services Sdn Bhd
(TNB-ES), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has been trusted to
operate and maintain 30 numbers of mini hydro stations throughout the Peninsular of
Malaysia with total installed capacity of approximately 16 MW
xi
.

List of Mini-Hydro Stations (TNB) in Peninsular Malaysia
No. Station Town State Capacity (kW)
1 Sg. Ulu Langat K. Lumpur K. Lumpur 2,200.00
2 Sg. Kerling Rawang Selangor 900.00
3 Sg. Benus Bentong Pahang 300.00
4 Sg. Perdak Bentong Pahang 364.00
5 Sg. Sempam 1/2 Raub Pahang 1,250.00
6 Sg. Sia Raub Pahang 548.00
7 Sg.Pertang Raub Pahang 492.00
8 Sg. Ulu Dong Raub Pahang 550.00
9 Sg. Rek K. Krai Kelantan 270.00
10 Sg. Sok K. Krai Kelantan 588.00
11 Sg. Lata Tunggil K. Krai Kelantan 700.00
12 Sg. Renyok 1/2 Jeli Kelantan 1,600.00
13 Sg. Kemia Jerteh Terengganu 526.00
14 Sg. Brang K. Brang Terengganu 422.00
15 Sg. Tersat K. Brang Terengganu 488.00
16 Sg. Cheralak Dungun Terengganu 500.00
17 Sg. BiI Tg. Malim Perak 258.00
18 Sg. Kinjang Tapah Perak 349.00
19 Sg. Kenas K. Kangsar Perak 532.00
20 Sg. Asap K. Kangsar Perak 110.00
21 Sg. Gebul K. Kangsar Perak 120.00
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No. Station Town State Capacity (kW)
22 Sg. Chempias K. Kangsar Perak 120.00
23 Sg. Lawln Lenggong Perak 270.00
24 Sg. Temelong Lenggong Perak 872.00
25 Sg. Tebing Tinggi Selama Perak 178.00
26 Sg. Mahang Selama Perak 483.00
27 Sg. Kupang Baling Kedah 216.00
28 Sg. Mempelam Baling Kedah 397.00
29 Sg. Tawar Besar Baling Kedah 540.00
30 Sg Mentawak P. Tioman Pahang 500.00
Total installed capacity = 16,643.00

The common barrier in the development of mini/micro hydro project is capital cost
xii
which
is relatively higher than conventional power plant. Maximising local content by utilizing
locally manufactured components and designing correct components selection and sizing
with appropriate operation strategy
xiii
will alternatively reduce the project costs. Financial
and technical assistance is relatively important in facilitating the development of small
hydro power in Malaysia.

In general, renewable energy projects (including small-hydro) face long lead times and
various obstacles from the pre-development stage up until actual project implementation,
especially in (i) securing the relevant licenses/permits, (ii) securing financial assistance and
contractual agreement for the selling of electricity with the national utility. For small hydro
project, high costs borne by villagers discouraged the renewables development. Meanwhile,
in the commercial sector, many developers of renewable energy projects do not survive and
their projects abandoned
xiv
due to project variation.

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Among the lessons of experience in developing the small hydro power are summarised as
follows: (i) the importance of continual load demand monitoring and the need to modify
expansion programs as appropriate; (ii) the advantages of appointing consultants for
detailed design and of preparing specifications and tender documents ahead of loan
approval, to facilitate the formulation, costing, and implementation of projects; (iii) the
futility of mini/micro hydro development in areas close to the grid; mini/micro hydro
projects are viable only for areas which are expected to remain isolated from the grid for at
least five to ten years; and (iv) the need to undertake social analysis during processing and
administration of hydropower projects involving resettlement requirements.

Interest in using renewable energy technologies to provide electricity to rural and remote
areas as a cost-effective alternative to grid extension is gathering momentum in many
developing countries. Governments are recognizing geographic rural areas that are non-
viable for grid-extension to be equipped with the renewable energy technology. This further
supported by the policies interventions and subsidies programs for rural electrification. This
is happening worldwide. Asian examples of countries with explicit mandates for renewable
energy for rural electrification include Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, the
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian and African countries have micro-hydro
projects implemented which in most cases implements standardized technologies for off
grid decentralized village hydro schemes. In some cases the micro hydro systems are used
as an alternative to the diesel generators and some of it are applied as hybrid systems with
solar power
xv
.Although small scale hydro power applies a basic technology but recently it
attracts worldwide interest because it contribute power at low annual running cost and less
technical complication.

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8.0 Pico Hydro Project in Malaysia
xvi
:

Pico hydro refers to hydro power application with less than 5 kW. Other classes of hydro
power are; large (larger than 10 MW), small (less than 10 MW), mini (less than 1 MW) and
micro (less than 100kW). Most experts in the field define hydro facility producing more than
1 MW as non renewable.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) initiated pico-hydro project in 2006. The pico hydro
system consists of cross flow turbine, gear system and alternator with charge controller and
a set of battery as storage.

A hybrid (refer annex 1) of renewable energy system, consisting pico hydro, photovoltaic
modules, wind charger, a set of battery for storage and a generator is currently undertaken
by UKM. UKM is considering of applying a similar system, a hybrid of pico hydro and
photovoltaic modules with battery set as storage, to provide electricity to power water
fountain at Taman Tasik Cempaka of Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

The Department of Electronics, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
(UNIMAS) had undertaken a research project of Small Scale Hydro Power (Pico-Hydro) for
eBario ICT Telecenter in 2007. The project was funded by the UNIMAS Top-Down
Fundamental Research Grant No. 02(K05)/567/2005(66).

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Table 5: Alternative energy set-up at the e-Bario telecenter
xvii

Alternative
power
technology
Year of
Implementation
No. of
panel
Total Power Remarks
Diesel
Generator
1999 - 5kW -
Hybrid
Diesel
generator-PV
2002 12
80W/Panel x 12
+5kW= 5960W

-
PV
standalone
2002 12
80W/Panel x 12 =
960W
Diesel Generator
became a backup
system
Additional
PV
2005 12+7
960W +
175W/Panel x 7 =
2185W
-
Hybrid
PV-Hydro
2007 19 2185W
Proposed for
charging the
batteries
consistently

9.0 Conclusion:

Small-hydro projects can play a role in encouraging sustainable watershed management.
While most of the small hydro system registered successes, unfortunately only some of the
systems that were built remain functioning. While Malaysias extensive small hydro program
results are a significant accomplishment, the current set of arrangements to public interest
and industry participation is still important. There is the opportunity in the future to
implement renewable energy solutions that are technically competent and that take into
consideration the match between characteristics (limitations) of chosen technologies and
local peoples needs and capabilities. Hopefully lessons learned from Malaysias mixed
experience with small hydro system will help and informed the nations to move towards a
future that realizes these ideals.

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Annex 1: Hybrid System Design:

Village-scale mini-grids can serve tens or hundreds of households. Traditionally, mini-grids in
remote areas and on islands have been powered by diesel generators or small hydro.
Generation from solar PV, wind, or biomass, often in hybrid combinations including
batteries and/or a supplementary diesel generator, is slowly providing alternatives to the
traditional model, mostly in Asia. Tens of thousands of mini-grids exist in China, based
primarily on small hydro, while hundreds or thousands exist in India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Sri
Lanka.

Optimization of renewable energy hybrid system looks into the process of selecting the best
components and its sizing with appropriate operation strategy to provide cheap efficient,
reliable and cost effective. The technoeconomic analysis usually looks at the cheapest cost
of energy produced by of system components while neglecting the excess capacity of the
combination
xviii
.

Any combination of a renewable energy system is possible with a back-up of LPG, gasoline
or diesel genset. It is also important an in-depth feasibility study is conducted and life cycle
cost analysis done. Technical, economic, financial and socio-cultural considerations have to
be included. This to ensure that the right technology mix is chosen, based on its reliability,
yield, maintenance requirements, after sales service availability, cost of servicing,
warranties, spare parts availabilities and price.

There are three hybrid power system subtypes
xix
:

i. DC bus line coupled:
AC loads can be optionally supplied by the inverter
Crucial to ensure a coherent DC voltage
The battery bank has to be matched to the DC voltage
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ii. AC bus line coupled:
DC loads can be optionally supplied by an inverter
The system is typically controlled via bi-directional master battery

iii. AC/DC bus line coupled:
AC and DC loads are connected on both sides of an master inverter
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AC generating components may be directly connected to the AC bus line or may
need a AC/AC converter to enable stable coupling

6.0 SIGNATURES FOR APPROVAL

By signing below, this indicates both review and approval of this fact sheet.

Prepared By: Date:
_________________________________ __________________________
Mohd Afzanizam Mohd Badrin (0144)
Custodian

Approved By: Date:
_________________________________ __________________________
Major (R) Zailani Safari (0134)
Principal Analyst

i
Renewables 2007: Global Status Report
ii
http://www.lged-rein.org/archive_file/publication_Study%20paper%20Micro-hydro.pdf
iii
http://www.level.org.nz
iv
http://igadrhep.energyprojects.net/Links/Profiles/MicroHydro/MicroHydro.htm
v
Environmental Health Focus: Managing the Environment for Health in the Asia Pacific
vi
Prof. Ir. Dr. Ibrahim bin Hussein, Micro Hydro Potentials in Malaysia, Science Fund (Project Code: 03-02-03-
SF0035), 2009, pp. 4
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vii
Mosley, P, The Role and Operation of National Hydrological Services. Secretariat of the World
Meteorological Organization, WMO/TD No. 1056, 2001, pp. 12-15
viii
Final Report, Volume 2: Updating of Condition of Flooding in Malaysia, October 2003, Department of
Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia
ix
Mongia N. Energy and Poverty in Malaysia: Challenges and the Way Forward, 2007, pp. vii.
x
Energy Commission Malaysia
xi
Info Kit, TNB Energy Services Sdn Bhd.
xii
Kellog, W., Nehrir, M.H., Venkataramanan, G. & Gerez, V. Optimal Unit Sizing for a Hybrid Wind/Photovotaic
Generating System. Electric Power Systems Research, Vol 39, 1996, pp. 35-38.
xiii
Borowy, B.S. & Salameh, Z.M., Optimum Photovoltaic Array Size for a Hybrid Wind/PV System, IEEE
Transaction on Energy Conversion, Vol. 9, No. 3, 1994, pp.482-488.
xiv
AMDB Power Sdn Bhd, 4MW AMDB Perting Mini Hydro Project, Version 1.0, 2008, pp. 19.
xv
N. C. Domingo, F. V. Ferraris, R. R Del Mundo, 'Overview of mini and small hydropower in Southeast Asia',
GRIPP Knowledge Center, EC-ASEAN Green Independent Power Producer Network.
xvi
Pico Hydro Project at UKM, Solar Energy Research Institute
xvii
Small Scale Hydro Power (Pico-Hydro) for eBario ICT Telecenter, A.K. Othman, M. Anyi, M.O. Abdullah, A.
Yeo, K. Ab. Hamid, T.C. Eng, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
xviii
Optimization of Renewable Energy Hybrid System by Minimizing Excess Capacity, Juhari Ab. Razak,
Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Yusoff Ali
xix
Daniel Gaefke, Multiple RE Sources in Off-Grid Systems

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