Hybrid grids to electrify rural areas

As an addition to the description of the company, here is their latest accomplishment.

In April 07, Lao private energy supplier for off the grid areas, Sunlabob Rural Energy Ltd., presented SE Asia’s first hybrid village grid in Nam Kha, a Laotian village. This new system for off-the-grid areas combines energy from solar panels, a hydro turbine and a diesel generator, soon to run on bio-fuel. This combined use of renewable energy sources is considered to be the leading solution for further rural electrification. Sunlabob implemented this project together with its Swiss partner company Entec, the world market leader for small hydro power solutions, and the Swiss NGO Helvetas.
The company decided for a hybrid system, because the amount of available water from the river is limited, especially in the dry season. If the water is not sufficient to satisfy the village’s needs, the generator automatically starts, and feeds additional power into the grid. The water turbine features an innovative technology, which has never been used anywhere else before. The intelligent unit possesses an automatic hydraulic system which, at any time, complies the use of water with the momentary use of electricity in the village.
In order to use exclusively renewable energy sources in the hybrid system, Sunlabob is promoting the use of bio-fuel made from Jatropha. As soon as the farmers deliver enough Jatropha seeds, the Diesel in the generator is supposed to be replaced by Jatropha bio-fuel. This would also reduce the costs for running the generator. Furthermore, the growing and processing of Jatropha is yet another source for income generation of the village.
Sunlabob trained a designated village energy committee in operating the village grid and collecting the monthly payments from the households. Besides, village technicians have been trained in order to ensure correct maintenance of the system. By involving the villagers, and giving them responsibilities, effects of good local governance are encouraged.
A very interesting aspect is the financing system for this project. Public investors invested into the fixed parts of the system which now belong to the village, private investors paid for the movable assets which stay in their property. In that way, public and private investments leverage each other.
Being a private energy provider, it is in Sunlabob’s interest that the village consumes as much energy as possible. Nevertheless, it regards capacity building another priority in their concept. The company wants to train the villagers in how to use electricity in a productive way, as more consumption for productive use leads to more income for both the users and the provider. These income generating activities ultimately result in further development of the village and poverty reduction.
Sunlabob is a Lao company that has been active in the renewable energy sector in Lao PDR for the last 7 years. It has developed a rental scheme for solar home systems and communally owned systems. Maintenance, the key point of systems based on renewable energy, is guaranteed through a network of franchises all over the country. The company’s efforts have been awarded the DM prize of the World Bank in 2005, and qualified Sunlabob as one of the finalists in the BBC World Challenge 2006.
The concept presented in Laos is easily applicable to other countries in the world.
For further information see the company’s website: www.sunlabob.com