Micro hydro power Philippines

The canals and silt basin are completed, although a landslide slowed progress in August.

The electro mechanical devices have been hauled to the site but have not been mounted yet in the power house because of inability to haul as many cement and steel bars as needed during the last visit. Cement blocks are built locally, as it would be too difficult to carry them all the way from town. The powerhouse installation should be complete in the first quarter of 2010.

The German Embassy helped finance the corn mill equipment, and the villagers gave higher priority to having the mill operational rather than building transmission lines to all the houses for lighting. Transportation of the mill to the site is being organized.

In addition, as illiteracy is very high, a temporary building was built nearby, that will serve as school.

Plans for the next few months,
•   Engineering construction (visit 4)
o   Finish lectromechanicals foundation setting and construction of powerhouse floor
o   tailrace construction
o   installation of turbine, electromechanicals
o   penstock layout and jointing
•   Community work:
o   Community constructs anchor blocks and slope stabilization
o   hauling of milling equipment
•   Engineering construction (visit 5)
o   weir construction
o   testing and commissioning of MHP system
o   installation of milling equipment
o   operations and management training


The accompanying pictures will show how difficult it is to reach the site and haul material all the way there. The “8 hr hike” is actually more like 16 to 20hrs for a Westerner.

Pictures:

• Trek to Dlumay (GIF)
• Trek to DLumay (JPG)
• School with dirt floor (JPG)