A Self-contained Solar-Hydro Micro Power Plant for Uninterrupted Supply in all Weather Conditions

In this project, we will build the first hybrid solar-hydro power plant and its distribution network to provide clean, affordable and secure electricity to a remote village with approximately 60-70 households and shops in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. The system addresses energy poverty in this area and will empower more productive activities to help uplift residents' quality of life.

Bangladesh has among the lowest national electricity access rate in South Asia, which severely limits its development prospects. Classified as a least developed country on the DAC list of ODA recipients, almost 1 in 10 inhabitants of Bangladesh live in extreme poverty. In CHT District, like other rural communities where 65% of the population live, poverty rate can be as high as 35% (HIES 2016). Only about 59% of the rural population in Bangladesh has access to electricity, with the percentage being as low as 37% among the poorest quintiles (Dhaka Tribute, 21-April-2019). CHT lags far behind the national average rural access rate due to the region's hilly terrains, which make it inaccessible to national grid. The community relies heavily on low-quality fuel such as kerosene, candles, dung cakes and firewood for energy. Lack of access to modern energy impedes potential development and growth of rural areas, creates a poverty trap and deprives rural residents of improved livelihoods. While solar-home-systems (SHS) have become popular, they fall short in providing reliable energy because they are limited by weather conditions, need expensive battery replacement and supply short duration of energy of low capacity. The unaffordable maintenance costs prompt high obsoletion and hence waste.

Our technology presents an improved off-grid solution to meet the energy trilemma of supplying secure and affordable access to clean renewable energy to rural residents, including those living in most remote and disadvantaged areas. The system combines solar and hydro power to offset the impact of unfavourable weather conditions; allows 24-hour uninterrupted energy supply; avoids batteries; and is scalable. Since the system will be centrally maintained, it is less costly, more user friendly particularly for elderly, women and disabled residents, and minimises obsoletion and waste. Even the poorest households will be connected and are given the choice to consume what they can afford. This ensures inclusiveness. Energy costs will be lower than using kerosene and comparable to SHS. The system can be easily integrated with an irrigation and/or drinking water filtering system for attaining additional benefits.