Letter from the Director General
IN-SHP would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and a successful 2005
Reflecting on 2004, we have had a very busy, challenging and successful year. Over the course of the year we have strived to assist the members of IN-SHP and to increase cooperation in the network. We have been able to host two international seminars, conduct training workshops for members in their home countries as well as to make field trips to assist members with technical consultations. Our overall goal is the worldwide promotion of small hydropower and 2004 saw our staff traveling to countries such as Sweden, Germany, Finland, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, India, Nigeria, Uganda and Sudan.
We hope that in 2005 we are able to expand and enrich the IN-SHP and further cooperation amongst our members. As mentioned in the Decennial Declaration adopted by the 8th Coordinating Committee, that while the contributions made by IN-SHP for promoting global SHP development during the past decade have been highly appreciated, it is acknowledged that there is a need for renewed measures at different levels for the continued development of small hydropower to support sustainable development initiatives worldwide.
We also hope that with the lowered membership fees approved by our Coordinating Committee we can welcome more members into the SHP family. With the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals approaching, the Kyoto Protocol entering force this year and world demand for electricity steadily growing, it is an opportune time for maximizing the environmental, social and economic benefits of SHP. IN-SHP aims to always stay abreast with current trends in SHP development and at this exciting time for SHP development, IN-SHP hopes to be able to assist and cooperate with you.
This issue of the eNewsletter reports on the many important events that took place for IN-SHP in December 2004. In this eNewsletter we have also introduced a column on 'Energy and Poverty Reduction' whereby over the course of future issues we can present successful case studies of SHP developments geared at achieving the MDGs. Another new eNewsletter feature is a Calendar of Events which lists SHP and other related events around the world. This issue also includes a member contribution from Nepal informing us on the importance of physical modeling in developing SHP systems.
We would also like to extend our thoughts and prayers to those who were affected by the tsunami and have suffered so much and lost so many of their beloved ones.
Best regards,
Prof. Tong Jiandong
IN-SHP Sub Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, to be opened soon
The cooperation Agreement for the Sub-Centre was signed on 12 January 2005.
This cooperation Agreement would help extend the reach of IN-SHP activities in Africa. The Agreement was signed in a meeting witnessed by high officials of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development of the Government of Zimbabwe. In March 2005, the Centre will be fully operational and will be hosted by Powermate International. Powermate has offered the office space and the initially required manpower and communications free of cost to IN-SHP. In order to boost the cooperation between IN-SHP and SHP stakeholders in Zimbabwe, the Minister of Energy and Power Development was invited to be the vice honorable chairman of IN-SHP.
The Zimbabwe Government has requested IN-SHP to help them with a Master Plan for the speedy implementation of identified SHP projects, and an IN-SHP 3-member team of experts visited several potential sites.
The first Sub-Centre of IN-SHP is established at the Energy Management Centre in Trivandrum, Kerala State, India.
For more information please send an email to hic@mail.hz.zj.cn.
IC-SHP's Team visited Africa for a SHP promotion mission
IC-SHP's team visited Zimbabwe and Mozambique from the 11th to 28th of January 2005.
IC-SHP's team was accompanied by Zimbabwe's Ministry of Energy and Power Development officials as well as colleagues from Powermate to visit sites in the East Highlands of Zimbabwe, where SHP potential is plentiful. Powermate International (plc) is a local Zimbabwean company that has been active in developing SHP resources in southern African countries for more than 10 years. As mentioned above, Powermate will host IN-SHP's Sub-Centre in Africa.
IC-SHP's team also traveled to Mozambique to undertake a UNIDO mission to identify two sites for pilot SHP projects. With the help of the National Directorate of Energy, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and UNIDO Mozambique, two sites (30kW each) with good hydraulic parameters were finalized.
For more information please contact Wang Yansong at hic@mail.hz.zj.cn.
New services for IN-SHP members
IN-SHP would like to offer members assistance with CDM project development and sourcing SHP investors.
Assistance with CDM Projects:
IN-SHP is able to assist members interested in CDM projects with assessing project CDM eligibility, CDM project cycle requirements and preparing CDM documentation. IN-SHP is able to assist members seek financing from CDM financiers. IN-SHP is also able to assist CDM financiers seek projects for cooperation.
Assistance with Sourcing Project Financing from Chinese Investors for Project Developers:
IN-SHP will assist members find Chinese project investors for projects that:
- Are financially viable with a reasonable financial return.
- Match IC-SHP's criteria for sustainable development.
- Capacity of at least several hundred kW (preferably in the MW range)
While assisting members find a Chinese project investor, IC-SHP will
- Assist members with communications with the Chinese investor
Service fees to IC-SHP from the project developer will be:
- Paid only if IC-SHP successfully finds an investor for the project.
- 1% of the transaction between the project developer and the investor.
For more information please contact Ms. Chin Ching Soo at chinching_soo@hotmail.com.
Tips for SHP projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
With the Kyoto Protocol entering force this month, the CDM is gaining more popularity and SHP projects have the potential to maximize CDM benefits.
CDM was designed as a tool of collaboration between Annex I (industrialized) states and those in developing countries for the dual benefit of sustainable development and emissions reduction. As such, SHP is amongst the perfect examples of technology that reflects these benefits. That being said, policymakers and project developers must keep in mind that while a marriage between the ideals of CDM and SHP is fully achievable, SHP development alone does not qualify for CDM funds and planning.
To be eligible for CDM funds, a series of complex studies and assessments must be done, but here are three basic points that one should consider prior to designating SHP projects for CDM:
- Additionality: Does the proposed SHP provide a concrete replacement or reduction of emissions that would have otherwise resulted from the status quo?
- What sort of grid is it connected to? Make sure the grid does not only consist of SHP's and that the proposed SHP will displace the output and emissions from otherwise emission producing power plants.
- Who will the SHP service and will the electricity provide a replacement for other emissions producing activities such as the use of traditional biomass? What communities, gender groups, industry, etc. might directly be affected or benefit from displacing emissions with clean electricity?
If at least the first two conditions cannot be met and the SHP is already in construction, they may not qualify for CDM. It is thus imperative to begin planning for a SHP project with the goals of the CDM in mind because here, producing electricity is not the goal itself: the goal is long-term sustainable development with clean electricity.
For more information please contact Edward Y. Sumoto at eys@inshp.org
Working Conference of IC-SHP Bases
The Conference was held in Hangzhou on the 10th December 2004
SHP Bases have been established in China with the aim to promote cooperation between China and the rest of the world, as well as to research new system innovations for SHP and grid management under a market economy. The bases are expected to promote the development of local SHP and the local economy and social development services.
Bases have been established in Chenzhou, Hunan province and Zhangye, Gansu province. In Zhejiang, a SHP equipment-manufacturing base, Jin Hua has been established. The Water Resources Ministry and Provincial Governments of provinces such as Sichuan, Shandong, Yunnan, Hubei, Gansu and Hunan are requesting to set up similar SHP bases.
Participants to this conference included leading representatives from provincial water resource bureaus and provincial governments. Topics of discussion included ways of enhancing SHP international cooperation with the Bases, management systems of the Bases and how to promote development of rural areas.
For more information please contact Wei Jianghui hic@mail.hz.zj.cn.
Columns
Energy and Poverty Reduction
This space aims to be a window into successful and innovative SHP practice towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by presenting case studies.
The Decennial Declaration on Global SHP development of INSHP recognized the importance of SHP in reducing energy poverty and addressing gender inequalities and thus helping to achieve the UN set Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Lack of access to energy services is linked to several social concerns: poverty, lack of opportunities, poor health, urbanization, environmental degradation, lack of education for women. Energy can serve as an entry point to address these issues and achieve sustainable development.
The issue is not energy per se, but access to energy and affordability. Whereas wealthier people can afford a mix of energy sources for best utility, poor people rely on low quality and inefficient energy sources. Policies not tailored to the poor often create a situation where even if clean and efficient energy sources exist, the poor are not in a condition to use them.
Access to decentralized, small-scale technology such as SHP provides effective action in terms of cost per person moved across the poverty line. Sharing information is essential to learn from successful experience.
If you would like to contribute contact Annalisa Tidona annalisa@inshp.org
Physical Modeling and Its Importance in SHP Development
PMSP, S.B Thapa, Hydro Lab Pvt. Ltd.
Hydro Lab Pvt. Ltd, an independent laboratory with permanent facilities and the first and only hydraulic research center in Nepal is researching SHP physical modeling
Hydraulic modeling is the art of creating a scaled down topographical model of the region where a Small Hydro Power facility is being considered. The model is then used by the researcher to study the natural behavior of the river. The researcher is able in a very short time to test various scenarios without the risk of life or equipment. The data collected from these tests can be used to further determine the feasibility of a site and to ensure that the proper structures / systems are designed for the project.
Why Physical Modeling is Important? Read More
Calendar of Events in this Month...
15-17 February 2005
RIO 5 - World Climate & Energy Event
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
More information: www.rio5.com
19 February
2005 International Workshop on Sediment Management
New Delhi, India
Contact: iha@hydropower.org
February 19-21 2005
INDIA HYDRO 2005
Organiser: Indian National Hydropower Association
iha@hydropower.org
www.indiahydro.org
1-3 March 2005
Carbon Market Insights 2005
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.pointcarbon.com
conference@pointcarbon.com
March 2-11 2005
Headworks design in steep sediment-loaded rivers
Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, Nepal
Organisers: ICH and HydroLab
www.hydrolab.org
line.fjellvar@ich.no or pmsp@hydrolab.org
Participants have already been selected by ICH
8-18 March 2005
International Training Course on Small Hydropower: option for rural electrification
Roorkee, India
Alternate Hydro Energy Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
E-mail ahec@iitr.ernet.in, ahec@vsnl.com
Web www.ahec.org.in
For more infomation about other events, please refer to our website by clicking here
IC-SHP Contacts
Let us know of any organizations that might be interested in us and let them know about us! Please refer to the contact details below of the IC-SHP staff for your region.
| Europe | Annalisa Tidona annalisa@inshp.org |
| Asia and Africa | Wang Yansong hic@mail.hz.zj.cn |
| South East Asia and Oceania | Chin Ching Soo chinching_soo@hotmail.com |
| North America | Chin Ching Soo chinching_soo@hotmail.com |
| Central and South America | Jenny Wang wxljenny@hotmail.com |
IN-SHP Member Survey
In order to build a clearer idea about what type of assistance IN-SHP members need IC-SHP to provide, we have recently sent survey to all IN-SHP members. If you have not sent your response to us yet, please do so. If you have not yet received the survey from IC-SHP or if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wang Yansong at hic@mail.hz.zj.cn
