Off-Grid Renewable Energy Systems A. Zaidee Laidin FASc

1

Mission "looking at possible technologies and approaches for

off-grid generation over the next 5 to 10 years. ... a brief presentation on current and emerging

technologies that might be suitable for developing world applications."

2

Contents

1. Micro and Mini Hydros

2. Public Policy

3. SEDA -Malaysia's Initiative on RE

4. Tanzanian Example

5. Hydro/Wind Hybrid

6. Rimbunan Kaseh- One Integrated Approach

3

1. Mini and Micro Hydro Malaysia's Experience & Hopes

• Overall, the renewable energy (RE) industry has potential to generate RM70 billion in

revenue for the country by 2020

• RE sector is expected to create a host of spin-off benefits, including the creation of 52,000

jobs for the economy . Malaysia had successfully benefited from the renewable resources

for electricity generation, small-hydro has yet to be fully exploited.

4

• With hilly topography running almost the entire length and width of the country, and abundant number of streams flowing to foothills, Malaysia has a lot of small-hydro potential.

• To date Malaysia had utilized this potential mainly in the range of large and mini hydropower but very few in the micro hydro range. In Malaysia, a total of 149 sites with estimated micro hydro potential of 28.9MW were identified.

• suitable small-hydro projects would be those based on the run-off-the-river schemes of sizes of up to 10 MW to 30 MW in capacity.

1. Simplified Concept

5

1. Micro Hydro in Sabah (Bario Asal)

6

2. Oil Price over a 10-year Period

7

2. Renewable Energy Policy

• The level of incentives should be specific to a technology and should be based on the degree of technology maturity to avoid technology lock-out and minimize costs in the long run.

• Overall impacts on energy system (e.g. grid stability and reliability) should be evaluated with increasing shares of renewable in the energy mix.

8

Principles critical for renewable energy policy effectiveness include:

• Financial incentives are not enough, if other barriers such as administrative hurdles, obstacles to grid access, poor electricity market design, lack of information and training, and social acceptance issues are not removed

• There should be a predictable support framework to attract investments and reduce investment risks

• Incentives should be transitional and decreasing over time to foster technological innovation and keep total costs under control

3. SEDA -Public Policy on RE

9

An integrated and long-term approach is needed in developing a vision of the country’s sustainable energy future, which may involve public consultation.

3. SEDA -Public Policy on RE (cont.)

1. Policy should aim to exploit the cheapest renewable energy sources in

the country. In-depth assessments of the renewable energy potential and

the costs /benefits of renewable development should be undertaken.

2. It would be important to develop road maps for renewable energy

development with realistic targets and timelines. Governments and

industry have a role to enhance public awareness of renewable energy

issues.

3. Support for R&D&D projects would also be needed. External costs need

to be reflected in market prices which will rebalance the relative costs of

renewable and conventional energy sources.

10

3.SEDA-Public Policy

11

3. The Options for Renewable Energy

• Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy system

• Biomass production & utilisation (90% of energy consumption is biomass in Tanzania)

• Utilisation of municipal wastes

• Mini & micro hydropower (Rural Energy Agency (REA), Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (Tanesco) and Water Basin Authorities)

• Geothermal (Tanzania has potential for 650MW at Ngozi)

• Tidal power

• Wind power (50MW of power first phase, 150 MW 2nd phase)

• Sadly, the above involve significant investment

12

3. Solar Power and Grid Parity

13

Yesterday and Tomorrow in Power System

3. Technological Configuration for a Hybrid System

• DC bus line

• DC voltage AC voltage

• AC/DC Converters and chargers

• Charge Controller

• DC Loads

• Battery Inverter AC Loads

• Photovoltaics Wind

• Hydro

• Genset

15

SEDA-Malaysia's Initiative on RE

16

A new national authority on RE – the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) – will be fully responsible and serve as a central body for all national RE and FiT matters. This statutory body is expected to work closely with various government agencies and local authorities towards the success of RE, and will have to make available, publicly, the report of annual RE progress.

SEDA-Malaysia's Initiative on RE (cont.)

• The principle adopted in Malaysia is the cost of FiT would be borne using the “polluters

pay concept” which means consumers who are on higher electricity consumption will

contribute more for green energy production to cover their carbon footprints.

• RE, excluding hydropower which is already a major energy source (almost 15% of total

energy output), currently accounts for less than 1% of Malaysia’s electricity

consumption (Peninsular and Sabah). This is to change with the implementation of FiT

under the proposed RE Act, where Malaysia aims to increase RE contribution against its

electricity consumption to a minimum 5% in 2015, 9% by 2020 and 24% by 2050.

17

4. Tanzanian Example

Total cost (EUR) 200,000-300,000€

Tanzania hybrid

Tot cost 100,000-500,000€

Tanzania diesel

Location: Tanzania

Application: Village power supply

System configuration PV/Diesel hybrid: 30kVA hybrid inverter; 30kWp solar generator; 25kVA diesel generator 240kWh battery System configuration

diesel: 25kVA diesel generator

(14% of the population has electricity)

18

5. Hydro/Wind Hybrid

19

• An initiative involving Government (MIGHT), Private sector, New York Academy of

Sciences

• The Rimbunan Kaseh Project:Making Rural Space Sustainable.

• Rimbunan Kaseh was built to serve as an example of how to address rural poverty issues

by promoting environmental sustainability with technology.

• Rimbunan Kaseh is a model community consisting of around 100 affordable homes, high-

tech educational, training and recreational facilities, and an integrated, sustainable farm

designed to provide both food and supplementary income for villagers.

6. Rimbunan Kaseh

21

6. Greenhouses for Fruits & Vegetables

• 16 greenhouses

• 8 net houses

22

6. Fish Rearing at Rimbunan Kaseh

• Compound lighting is provided by solar PV

cells

• Water for the fish is recycled

• Jade perch, tilapia

• catfish,

23

6. Rimbunan Kaseh (cont.)

• The integrated, sustainable farm begins with aquaponics to raise fish with filtered fish tank wastewater used to irrigate plants to grow fresh produce.

• The plants are grown in IRIS Autopots which has a Smart Valve that automatically detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required.

• (Finally, worms from the plants composts are feed to free-range chickens.) The goals of each Rimbunan Kaseh project:

1. Raise standards of living and improve living conditions

2. Supply environmentally-friendly, high-quality housing

3. Promote sustainable living and viable economic activities

4. Provide integrated agriculture to bolster food security

5. Introduce renewable energy and connectivity

24

6. Summarizing – Goals of "Smart Village“: Rimbunan Kaseh

The goals of each Rimbunan Kaseh project:

• Raise standards of living and improve living conditions

• Supply environmentally-friendly, high-quality housing

• Promote sustainable living and viable economic activities

• Provide integrated agriculture to bolster food security

• Introduce renewable energy and connectivity

25

Thank You

26