Energy is basic necessity
forsurvival. It is one of the most essential factors for economic
development. Basicallyenergy is used for lighting and power. In rural
village it is derived fromdifferent sources such as kerosene, diesel,
biomass, candles etc for lighting purpose. Fuel burning lanterns are the
most common alternative of electric lights, which areconsidered to be a
source of respiratory disease. Some of the housesuse torch lights and
dry cells.
Micro hydro is an attractive choicefor
electricity generation in rural areas or undeveloped communities where
gridsupply is not available. Micro hydro project is a pioneering
electricitygeneration system designed to cope with the lighting demand
of houses in ruralcommunities where national grid isn’t available. It
is superior system for that community whereinvestment can’t be afforded
for the large scale hydro and connection ofnational grid isn’t possible
for many year but they need energy to developcommunities.
The
micro hydro system is designed toprovide electricity by using the water
resources available in the local areas.By taking the advantages of head
and flow, water is used to generateelectricity. Micro hydro system is
built with technology and materialsthat is found in local market. It
consists of set that consists of synchronousgenerator; turbine and
penstock pipe. Due to the availability of thesecomponents as well as the
technicians, installation of the project is cheap.
Before
the development of micro hydroproject there was a lot of consumption of
fossil fuel such as kerosene, dieselfor lamp and operation of
agricultural processing mill. Some of the houses usedChinese torch
lights and dry cells for lighting purposes. There was consumptionof 45
liters of kerosene per year and 48 number of dry cell per house, now
thishas been reduced to in number and also saves the money that were
being investedin these materials. There was excess use of wood for
cooking purpose and ‘Jharo’for lighting which was not the best solution
for lighting due to its hazardsincluding environmental and health
problems. They were not able to work atnight; student had to study in
smoggy kerosene lamp. As a result, they wereliving an uncomfortable
life. This had direct and indirect effect on theirhealth, reduced their
work efficiency and led a life with lower indicator ofhuman
development.
After
the development of micro hydroprojects, the consumption of fossils fuel
has drastically reduced and use ofwood has also decreased. There is an
establishment of agro processing mill suchas grinder and other local
industries such as lokta processing, carpentry, bakery,poultry farm and
cold store forthe preservation of vegetables and fruit for sending to
markets which hascreated the employment in village and agro processing
mill has providedfacility for people to grind their product
Until,
MHP they have to walk longdistances or they have to pay high rate for
grinding the product in dieseloperated mill. It has also saved the time
of the people. Local industries havebeen increasing and people have been
establishing electronics shop, computerinstitute and hotels which have
provided job for people.
There is an operator for
running theplant and maintenance of the power plant. The establishment
of plant has alsoprovided job to some people. School ofthat are now
upgrading their school and providing students computer educationand
other facilities to compete the student with city area. People are
watchingTV which has also help them to see the world and other
development in theworld. Development of Micro-hydro project has made the
rural areas life a simplemanner.
The lifestandard of
people in that area has increased and it helps them increase
incomegeneration in household level. Success of this project has now
become one ofthe factors to boost up the villagers lifestyle. They use
electricity forlightning purpose and communication purpose. After the
success of this project,students have opportunity to read at night in
clean environment. People are nowmore engaged in different works for
promoting their source of income such as inagriculture product and other
locally available product etc. They are able todo their work at night
time .The source of income and standard of life has been improved.
People are now more conscious and aware of utilizing electricity;
theyare now in search of creating more micro hydro project in the
vicinity of thatarea. It helps to preserve the deforestation of forest.
The
maintenance cost of the project is somehow problem in that area but if
somepeople take trainings related to the plant then it will be benefit
forvillagers. They can get knowledge about how to run this system
properly and howto repair it when there is some fault or problem. This
will create opportunitiesof job for some people. He/she will look after
the system and they don’t needto hire other technician for simple
problem, which also reduces the cost formaintenance. It also helps them
to notto depend on other people for any simple maintenance and repair.
Thus in thedeveloping countries micro hydro can
play vital role in the development of ruralcommunities. It is a better
alternative for the area where national grid hasnot been available. The
development of new technology and mini grid concept canhelp micro hydro
for the long term sustainable.
Published on Enchipher 2011
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