Using Irrigation Canals to Electrify Remote Villages

Event: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2019

Using Irrigation Canals to Electrify Remote Villages

18 June 2019

Author / Speaker:

Michael Carroll, HeliosAltas Corp. - Other materials by the author

The proprietary Helios microgrid has been demonstrated in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. HeliosAltas Corporation demonstrated how a combination of micro-hydro using a local irrigation canal, PV, storage and Pico grid devices can effectively and economically and cleanly electrify an off-grid community in just a few days. For this proof of concept project, two 500-watt Powerballs micro-hydro units, 650 Watts of PV and 300 AH of AGM batteries were installed to power 10 huts in the village of Kibanban. 1.6 kW of generating capacity provides a combination of AC and DC provide power to 40 people in 10 huts, a TV and fridge in one of the huts and 12, pole-mounted street lights and a community water storage tank. The micro-grid concept is a breakthrough for electrifying remote villages with access to any type of open stream or irrigation canal and proves that electrifying off-grid communities don’t have to be complicated or cost-prohibitive.

Geographical Focus:

Philippines

Type of Content:

Learning Event

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