Friday, November 25, 2011

Bali Feasbility Draft Report considerations

Even though my project involvement got cut short, the assessment, master planning and general direction for the community microgrid became relatively obvious and of a different nature than my own pursuits.  

The issues of CMG energy sources driving this project are more from a lack of master plan and very limited financial resources, than from a technical or natural resources availability. 
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All electrical systems are driven by connected load and usage.  Two, very different issues. A definitive connected load sheet with nameplate ratings and actual usage % would be essential (not full connected draw 100% of each hour)

There are few easy pickings for CMG feasibility:  Biogas ala chicken manure seems to be a slam dunk.  Minimal gas burners, and perhaps even some back-up lighting can be provided with biogas.  The learning center nature of this project could further enhance this.
Earth tubes and geothermal delta T is also a given since the ground temperature will be cooler than the surface... all other nonsense aside.
Solar hot water and PV is almost too easy.  It's just limited by budget and proper location and connections.  The battery bank issue could be solved, given a master plan.

So the remaining two large energy resources are: biomass and microhydro.
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From the assessment report, the largest energy resource available are the rice husks (it is integral to the local community).  By buying rice husks from the local processors, the project would be supporting the local community and be an integral asset.  The only issue is with the current supply chain, and how removing several tons of rice husks for the project site would affect local farmers. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here.

The bigger biomass issue is that the project does not need the amount of power that even small scale biomass generation can provide until 2-3 years if and when Phase 3 and other developments are realized. When the site is up to 100 people and operating successfully on a continuous basis, then a 10kw genset may be an effective use or local biomass.

Microhydro is a good stand-by and can be staged up for various project phase flexibility, and it would be my recommendation that this is the renewable energy source to focus on.  There will be many issues here, least of which is of a technical nature.


From a cost consideration viewpoint, infrastructure will be the key to allow for future incorporation of various energy and other utilities.  Without a definitive master plan, it would be ludicrous to consider infrastructure scenarios.


Given all these considerations, my feasibility recommendations are:

  1. Invest in Solar HW, minimal PV and small battery bank for the reception as the prime ‘business’ power source. 
  2. Invest in two electric golf carts and use it for the motel night-time battery back-up. (need one for back-up)
    1. Golf carts could be charged at Al Hickey's place temporarily.
    2. PV panels on awnings could also charge 2nd unit.
  3. Trench (next to road) and bury empty pipes (plugged, leakproof on all ends) for future district electrical wiring connections. 
  4. A definitive master plan must be adopted given the realities of financing, calendar, resources. 
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It's almost too easy on this project to reap the benefits of local energy resources.  Few places in the western 1st world have this type of rich natural resources to be exploited, and such exploitation in 3rd world CMGs I believe should be done by educated village elders.... but that's another issue.

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