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INTRODUCTION
During the 46th Anniversary Celebration of DOST CALABARZON last November 18,
2009, DOST Secretary Dr. Estrella F. Alabastro said “that the S&T sector must display resolve
and readiness to push the frontiers of scientific understanding.” She also stressed in her keynote
address that scientists and innovators must prove their worth, and create new and groundbreaking
technological applications for “our benefit and that of the world’s.” In response, Dr. Alexander
R. Madrigal, regional director of DOST CALABARZON, announced the launching of the micro-
hydro power project in Barangay Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon. Once operational, the hydro power
project will provide renewable and low-cost electricity to a thousand families in Aquino.1
Micro-hydro power generation is a rapidly growing part of the renewable energy field.
Any site that has a running water source that drops several feet or more could be a micro hydro
power candidate. A small amount of the flow needs to be diverted into a pipe where it can drop
several feet before driving a turbine. The technology uses the energy in moving water to generate
electricity. These small systems do not normally rely on reservoirs or dams to impound water but
instead use what is referred to as "run-of-the river." A portion of the stream or river's volume is
temporarily diverted from the normal channel and used to turn a turbine and generator to produce
electricity. A small hydro system can easily generate enough clean power for a family, farm or
small business.
In the past, however, hydro power was a major source of power, mostly in the form of
water wheels that drove grain millstones, or generated power for textile mills, sawmills and other
industrial applications. This time simple folks in small barangays will see and experience the
wonders of clean, renewable electric power from water-driven turbines.
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
The lead entity in the implementation of the project is the Office of Hon. Congressman
Proceso J. Alcala, complemented through technical and institutional expertise of CLSU-AREC.
DOST Region 4A provides counterpart financial support to the project. The project was
conceived and initiated last December 2007.3
b. To enable farmer-beneficiaries to use sprinkler and drip irrigation systems for the
target Baguio-vegetable production program for the area;
e. To help enable the target beneficiaries to care for the environment as the water that
drives the micro-hydropower is directly related to the forest conservation and
protection by the community itself.
LOCATION OF THE SCHEME
The scheme is located in Barangay Aquino, Tiaong, Quezon. It has coordinates of
N13°57’ 54” and E121°16’ 05”.
Micro
Hydropower
Scheme in
Barangay
Aquino, Tiaong
Figure 1. Coordinate location of the Micro Hydropower scheme at Barangay Aquino, Tiaong,
Quezon courtesy of Google Earth
Courtesy of http://www.microhydropower.net
Figure 2. Typical configuration of a micro hydropower scheme with its components
A. Weir – this structure diverts water directly from the stream to the intake. The weir is a
concrete ogee-shaped located about 600 meters upstream of the power house.
B. Intake – the intake is fitted with a desilting basin, control gate, flashboards and is fitted with
steel take-off pipes that fit into the PE pipe headrace channel.
C. Desilting basin – this component of the structure separates sand and stones from the water.
This will otherwise cause blockages and wear.
E. Surge Tanks - for economics, ease and quickness of installation, 4 × 6 steel oil drums,
welded together form the surge tank of the power plant. This stores a sufficient quantity of water
as a sump for the penstock when the later delivers water to the turbine.
Figure 12. The surge tanks composed of steel oil drums welded together.
Figure 13. Another view of the surge tanks stacked together at welded.
F. Penstock – this is the 2 in diameter, 4.6 mm thick steel pressure pipe which carries water to
the turbine and are welded together on-site to cut cost on flanges and connectors. The structure
will be mounted on strong anchor blocks and slide blocks.
Figure 16. The penstock joints near the powerhouse area being welded and
supported by concrete block post.
G. Powerhouse – this structure is where the hydraulic turbine, the generator and the control and
instrumentation equipment is located. This is located approximately 600 meter from the
downstream portion of the weir at an elevation safe from flood streamflows. This also shelters
the submersible pump and it controls for pumping water to cisterns 80 meters above the
powerhouse.
Figure 20. The submersible pump at the downstream side of the powerhouse and it
controls for pumping water to cisterns 80 meters above the powerhouse.
Figure 21. The turbine and generator housed inside the structure where it is still being installed.
H. Water Turbine – is a crossflow type hydraulic turbine. The 50 kW turbine was designed to
drive a three-phase 30 kW generator.
I. Governor – the governor to be used is of electronic type . This will maintain the voltage at
220 AC at all loads.
J. Electrical distribution lines – the lines which will transmit the electrical power generated
from the powerhouse to the connecting point in the barangay will be of 3-wire #8 AWG
aluminum insulated wire.
K. Submersible pump – the pump for water pumping at a head of 80 meters for test
commissioning is a 3 hp 220 VAC single pump 2” submersible pump.
L. Irrigation system – the irrigation system will include the submersible pump, the cisterns,
main lines, lateral emitters and control valves.
Figure 22. One of the 8 units cisterns to be filled up with water by the micro hydropower
submersible pump for sprinkler and drip irrigation of Baguio vegetables.
HUMANWARE
Cost of the missionary scheme may range from P 100,000 – P 200,000 per kilowatt
installed capacity. The range depends on the peculiarities of the site which is unique always on
each site.
References:
Photos courtesy of Engr. Rachel B. Gabuya during the site visit last February 19, 2010 along
with Rizal Provincial S & T Director, Fernando E. Ablaza, Engr. Jaja, Engr. Perlita DL.
Payofelin and Prof. Arnulfo D. Estrabo, the URS Audio-Visual Center Head.