PROJECT REPORT 2010 - ata.org.au · PROJECT REPORT 2010 ... Permatil, Rotary DIK, Kangaroo Valley...
Transcript of PROJECT REPORT 2010 - ata.org.au · PROJECT REPORT 2010 ... Permatil, Rotary DIK, Kangaroo Valley...
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“Assisting communities to
access sustainable technology”
Alternative Technology Association
International Projects Group
Level 1, 39 Little Collins St
Melbourne Vic 3000
Ph: +613 96316416
Website: www.ata.org.au/ipg
Twitter: ata_aus
Issue Date: May 2011
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Alternative Technology Association
The ATA (Alternative Technology Association) is
Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation,
promoting sustainable technology and practice. The
ATA provides services to members who are actively
walking the talk in their own homes by using good
building design, conserving water and using renewable
energy. ATA advocates in government and industry
arenas for easy access to these technologies as well as
continual improvement of the technology, information
and products needed to change the way we live.
International Projects Group
The ATA International Projects Group (IPG) aims to
assist communities to access sustainable technologies.
Formed in 2005 the group has completed renewable
energy projects in Australia and Vanuatu. We have a
strong commitment to capacity building and training
and a focus on the poorest rural communities. The IPG
consists of volunteers and professionals and values
partnerships as a model for project delivery.
Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporters
Partner Organisations
Permatil, Rotary DIK, Kangaroo Valley Remixio Partnership,
Friends of Maubisse, Victorian Women’s Trust, East Timor
Women’s Australia (ETWA), Rotary Club of Dili, The PETER
trust, Café Cooperativa Timor-Leste, Bega Valley Advocats for
Timor Leste, Ballarat Friends of Ainaro, Friends of Aileu,
Damascus College Road Rage
Volunteers
Mick Harris, Alan Hutchinson, Oliver Crowder, Olivia
Laskowski, Neil Faragher, Yarra Di Martino, Rohan Dierich,
Peter Reichelt, Greg Thomson, Jeanette Venables, Terry
Lewis, Peter Lewis, Lynne Keevers, Lynne Dooley, Patrick
Eijsvogel, Oliver Crowder, and Peter MacDonald
Extra special thanks to:
Padre David, Deb Salvagno, Mary Crooks, Daryl Mills, Rita
Hayes, Bill Dagg, Nick Statts, Bea Veagas and George
Polycarpu from Polygranet
Training Project
The ATA would like to thank the AusAID for their funding
support for the Timor-Leste Solar Power Training Project. We
would also like to thank Lyn Butler, Isabel De Lima, Aires de
Almeida, Izmenio Martins and other members of the Steering
committee. This project is only possible due to the
commitment and skills of the project team: John Kemp,
Andrew Blair, Josh Backwell, Michael O’Connell, Jose “Jeka”
Xavier and Ela Maria Xavier. Finally thanks to all the teachers,
trainees and officials who have contributed to this project.
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We hope that you can use your skills to
access sustainable technologies.
Equipment Suppliers
M&H, Plasmatronics, Selectronic, RF Industries, JayDee
cables
Report Authors
This report was prepared by Anton Vikstrom and Prabir
Majumdar
We hope that you can use your skills to assist communities to
access sustainable technologies.
Equipment Suppliers
Plasmatronics, Selectronic, RF Industries, JayDee
Report Authors
This report was prepared by Anton Vikstrom and Prabir
Table of Contents
Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporter
Project Manager’s Report
Project Manager’s Report
Renewable Energy for the Poor
The Real Cost of Light
Project Updates
Maubara Orphanage
ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’
Training project
Village Lighting Project
2010-11 Completed Projects List
Contacting the ATA International Projects
Table of Contents
Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporters ............... 1
Project Manager’s Report – Anton Vikstrom ................. 3
Project Manager’s Report – Prabir Majumdar ............... 4
Renewable Energy for the Poor – The Case for Action .. 5
The Real Cost of Light ..................................................... 5
Project Updates .............................................................. 7
Maubara Orphanage ...................................................... 7
ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’ ................................................... 7
ject .............................................................. 8
Village Lighting Project ................................................... 9
11 Completed Projects List ................................. 10
Contacting the ATA International Projects .................. 11
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Project Manager’s Report – Anton Vikstrom
In early 2007 I started working with the ATA
International Projects Group (IPG). The four years since
then have been some of the most rewarding in my life.
The opportunity to deliver projects with such an
inspiring group of professionals, volunteers and
counterparts has been phenomenal.
The achievements of the IPG over this time include:
• Over 4000 people benefiting from improved
lighting through the Village Lighting Scheme
• Developing groundbreaking training material
and assisting technicians gain the skills to
obtain employment as solar technicians
• Managing 52 solar PV installations for schools,
clinics and community centers
The most important highlights of these years have been
the real and direct impacts these projects have had on
communities, households and individuals. For example
the humbling experience of helping an elderly man to
turn on a light switch for the first time – lighting up his
and his family’s home. I have been gladdened to return
to locations where the light and power is making a
positive difference, years after a project is completed.
The situation in Timor is evolving swiftly. The troubles
of 2006 are a memory and the progress of major
infrastructure projects is rapidly changing the project
context. The national electrification project will power
many towns with reliable 24-hour power. However, the
work of the ATA will be unaffected, because even
optimistic forecasts recognise that tens to hundreds of
thousands of households will require alternative energy
sources as they are too far from towns and the
centralized grid.
In closing I would like to thank the many project
partners, volunteers and friends who have made this
experience so rewarding. Thanks for the opportunity to
work with you and I look forward to hearing stories in
the future.
Anton Vikstrom
Village Lighting Schemes involve a
strong link to local communities. My
regards to the people of Bessilau,
Fadabloko and Fadarasa
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Project Manager’s Report – Prabir Majumdar
I am excited to update you on our recent work. Since I
started with the ATA in October 2010, I have been
engaged in delivering innovative solutions in energy
access in rural and remote Timor Leste with a team of
technical experts.
In 20 years’ time, according to the World Bank, 90,000
rural and remote households in Timor Leste will still
have no electricity. This is a staggering figure.
The ATA’s goal is to support and work with
communities to grow and prosper in balance with
natural ecosystems, living sustainably through the
improved use of technology and practices. This aligns
with international thinking on energy as an engine for
economic growth and human development – energy
that is accessible, affordable and green to reduce
poverty and place communities on a sustainable and
inclusive development path.
I am excited as I embark on a two pronged approach to
our work in Timor Leste. I am looking forward to
meeting with our technical experts and developing new
methodologies and approaches to roll out our energy
for poverty solutions program through identifying,
designing, implementing and monitoring; engaging with
the government of Timor Leste on policy dialogue and
building capacity and sharing knowledge within the
broader community.
I would also like to engage more with our friendship
groups and other partners, replicate and scale up our
proven approaches and build stronger partnerships to
develop and finance our projects.
I look forward to working with you all.
Prabir Majumdar
The Village Lighting Scheme continues to
be a priority for the IPG.
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Renewable Energy for the Poor – The
Case for Action People in rural Timor live without many of the energy
services that are taken for granted. Kerosene or candles are
used for lighting. Cooking is conducted using firewood and an
open fire and people are lucky to afford some batteries for a
radio or walk to the village centre to watch a communal TV.
This “energy poverty” has a range of deleterious effects. It
has been linked to poor education outcomes, health impacts
from smoke inhalation, and a reduction in awareness of
social issues and the democratic process. Rural people also
earn less and must travel further to access health, education
and other government services.
The Government of Timor Leste has an ambitious plan to
“electrify the nation”. This involves the construction of a
centralized grid and an investment of hundreds of millions of
dollars on heavy fuel oil generators to power this
infrastructure. However this infrastructure is currently only
connecting major towns. Plans for rural electrification have
not been released, but even the Government recognizes that
at least 20% of the population won’t access the centralized
grid. Given the remote rural population and rugged
topography, the ATA believes this percentage may be
considerably higher. The confluence of the rural poor and a
project that will not reach them reinforces the ATA’s role and
mandate to “assist communities' access to sustainable
technologies”.
The Real Cost of Light One of the most common arguments against solar power and
renewable energy is that “it costs too much”. This is not the
case.
In a developing country context the cost of power, energy or
electricity is vastly different than in a developing country. In
Timor urban households have their electricity supply
subsidized so that householders have their tariff fixed at
$2.25 per month (this is for a small 2A connection for light
and TV). The situation in rural households is different as
there is no government-delivered energy supply. The most
popular alternative fuel for lighting is kerosene. Kerosene
costs around $2 per litre and a household may use two to
four litres of kerosene per month. Kerosene is not just more
costly than electricity, it is more polluting and it produces a
far less usable light. A bare wick kerosene lamp produces
eight lumens of light from a single lamp whereas a 10W CFL
produces around 650 lumens.
Solar power produces quality electric light. The ATA Village
Lighting system produces around 700 lumens of light from
seven watts of LED lights. It clearly produces more light than
kerosene lamps and it would take around 87 kerosene lamps
to produce a similar level of illumination.
Some argue that solar power is expensive and unaffordable
to the rural poor. However this is not the case. The table
below charts the costs to the household of providing light
under two rates of kerosene consumption and two project
delivery approaches. All the figures are observed expenses
for households in rural Timor. The cost for solar power
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0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
$ U
S
Kerosene vs Solar: Household Lighting Costs
VLS (Full cost)
VLS (Subsidised)
Kerosene (Thrifty user)
Kerosene (Heavy user)
Year
includes maintenance expenses such as replacing light bulbs
and batteries as they are worn out.
At year 10, a heavy kerosene user will have spent almost
$900 on kerosene. A thrifty user of kerosene would have
spent almost $500. This can be compared to someone who
had purchased a solar power system commercially, who
would have spent over $300, or a recipient of an ATA Village
Lighting Scheme system, who would have spent just over
$200. The ATA is proud to assist communities to save money
through accessing sustainable technologies.
Note: This is a simplified calculation for demonstration
purposes. It does not include any discounting factors e.g.
depreciation, finance or inflation. We don’t believe that the
inclusion of these factors would fundamentally alter the
relative costs.
Solar powered electric lights (above)
provide a clean, high quality light source.
Kerosene wick lamps (below) produce a
dirty, smoky flame and are expensive.
runrun.
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Project Updates
The following projects have been discussed in previous
reports and the website. This section provides an update on
the success of these projects.
Maubara Orphanage In 2009 the ATA was approached by the Rotary Club of Five
Dock to undertake a project at the Maubara Orphanage. The
orphanage is a large complex approximately 30kmwest of
Dili. The grid power supply reaches the orphanage, but is
often unreliable with frequent black outs and brown outs. A
brown out (uncommon in developed countries) is where the
supply voltage drops so low that common appliances don’t
work. The supply voltage often dropped below 200 volts at
the site. There is a number of difficulties designing this type
of system based on the large numbers of “unknowns”, eg
how long does the power go out for and how often? As a
result a design was conceived which utilizes the grid when
available. The system automatically changes over to a solar
powered battery bank, and in the case of a long string of
cloudy days, a backup generator was installed. There are not
many buildings in Timor with three sources of power!
This installation called on the reserves of a large team of
volunteers. The five volunteers, including three engineers
and an electrician, had to undertake a large reorganization of
the electrical wiring. The switchboard was reconnected with
signage and labeling for a variety of circuits. A 1kW solar
array was mounted on the orphanage roof and a large 990Ah
24 volt battery bank installed. In order to conserve power
during lengthy blackouts, a system of “prioritising circuits”
was developed. In this situation the most important
functions of the building have priority over more
discretionary uses. As a result the main kitchen,
administration area and security lighting have service
priority. Other circuits will only work when the grid power is
operating. A range of indicator lights were incorporated to
help the system operators know when the grid power is
functioning or when the batteries are powering the system.
Overall this project fulfills a strong need for light and power
at the orphanage. As a result the nuns and children have
improved security and access to nutrition. Alan, Niel, Peter,
Rohan and Yarra excelled on the implementation of the
project and the Rotary Club of Five Dock, Rotary Club of Dili
and PETER Trust should be thanked for their support.
Peter inspects the Maubara installation
(above). The system switched
automatically between different power
supplies (below). Project team enjoying
the hospitality of the nuns (right).
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ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’
Through East-Timor Women Australia (ETWA) projects,
women in remote communities are given the opportunity to
be part of sustainable weaving collectives. The collectives
weave traditional cloth for local and international markets
whilst preserving their cultural practices and supporting their
communities and the surrounding environments. The
'Gimme Shelter' project aims to provide the first stage in this
project - bringing light and a space for the women to be
together, as weaving collectively is important for Timorese
women. For the last three years the ATA has been involved,
designing a high quality light source and raising funds for the
solar power component of the project. In 2009 the Victorian
Women’s Trust (VWT) came on board as a partner and
together we raised the thousands of dollars required for this
light and power system.
Following all this hard work in Australia, locals and Timorese
came together to build the weaving centres and install the
electric light and power. Rohan and Peter travelled to the
remote village of “Fuat”to install the state-of-the-art system.
The volunteers, local women and their husbands prepared
and worked voluntarily to achieve something unique in
Timor-Leste: a space just for women’s development.
Key design features were the requirement to provide very
high quality light for detailed tasks such as weaving. As a
result highly focused and directional LED PAR38 lights were
used. In addition, general illumination was provided by CFL
globes for community meetings and other functions. Deb
Salvagno, a long-term ETWA volunteer, says “The ambience is
lovely and the community is delighted”.
Training project The ATA’s commitment to capacity building has assisted us to
deliver the Timor Solar Power Training Project. ATA technical
trainers in collaboration with training institutions in East
Timor and with funding from AusAID have developed a
national curriculum and train-the-trainer material for solar
power training. The Certificate II in solar installation is the
first Certificate II training course to be recognised by the East
Timor Government. The project is nearing completion.
Currently two complete groups of students from two training
institutions have graduated through the training. The ATA is
working with employers to provide work experience
placements and hopefully employment in the growing solar
power sector. A further two groups are scheduled to
commence training in the near future. The result of this
training will be a cadre of technicians who will be at the
frontline of the electrification of rural Timor – a great
outcome for the ATA.
This project demonstrated the IPG’s ability to “scale up” and
deliver a larger project with our usual commitment to
quality. A strong group of volunteers and professionals from
our networks in renewable energy, publishing and training
development ensured this project was a success.
The ETWA system provides high quality
light, as demonstrated by the crisp
shadows in the picture above.
Technicians undertook intensive training
in installation, maintenance and design.
(below)
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Village Lighting Scheme In October and November 2010 the Village Lighting Project
reached 404 households, enabling more than 2000 people to
access high-quality lighting. The scheme continued its
ongoing partnership with Kangaroo Valley and the Remixio
Sub district, with the villages of Fadabloko and Fadarasa
taking part in the project. Technical changes in 2010 included
the supply and installation of 3W LED lights for all new
installations. The 3W CREE LEDS are improving the available
light significantly.
In May 2011 ATA volunteers visited Fadabloko to review the
progress of the installations. A survey was made of sample
households and a series of meetings held with local officials,
technicians and committee of management. Key outcomes
included:
• There was a reported reduction on expenditure on
kerosene. The savings varied from $8-$2 per month.
With most respondents in the $2-$4 range
• All households had school-aged children and
homework/school work were reported as activities
since the installation of the systems. Other observed
uses including preparing oranges for sale at market
and the weaving of baskets and floor matting
• Over $1900 had been saved by the community for
future maintenance expenses. Over 89% of user
fees had been paid
• The systems where providing around 3.6 hours of
light during the dry season and 2.3 hours in the wet
season
The conclusion at this point is that the systems are benefiting
the communities in which they have been installed. Future
work for the ATA and our partners will be continued
evolution of the technical solutions as well as further work to
consolidate the committees and financial management
systems. The ATA is also undertaking trials in Maubisse and
we hope that a Village Lighting Scheme will commence in
that sub-district also.
This system installed in Maubisse (above)
provides light in three rooms. Terry and
Chafe Serafin inspect a system in
Fadabloko (below)
This system was installed in 2009. The solar panel
mount was designed and installed by a local
technician
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VILLAGE LIGHTING Location Project Description System Type PV
Capacity
Battery
Capacity
System
Voltage
Units
Installed
FADA BLOKO Village Lighting
Scheme Phase 2
Remixio, Aileu As part of the ongoing commitment to the Remixio Village Lighting Scheme the
Kangaroo valley Remixio Partnership and ATA continued installations in Fada
Bloko Succo.
VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison
Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.
10W each 7Ah each 12V 250
FATA RASA Village Lighting
Scheme
Remixio, Aileu As part of the ongoing commitment to the Remixio Village Lighting Scheme the
Kangaroo Valley Remixio Partnership and ATA commenced installations and
community training in in Fada Rasa Succo.
VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison
Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.
10W each 7Ah each 12V 150
Maubisse VLS Maubisse Sub-
district
Under request from the Bendigo friends of Maubisse the ATA has commenced
trials with four households in Maubisse. These trials aim to test the systems
under local figh altitude conditions. In 2011 an evaluation will be made wether
to commence further work on this project.
VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison
Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.
10W each 7ah, 14Ah and 24Ah on test12V 4
INSTALLATIONS Location Project Description System Type PV
Capacity
Battery
Capacity
System
Voltage
Inverter
Type
Maubara Orphanage Maubara,
Liquisa District
The orphanage in Maubara cares for around 50 orphins at their compound.
This location suffered from a very poor electricity supply. Effectively its distance
from the power source was creating "brown outs" where the voltage was not
sufficient to electrical appliances. The large population and requirement for
large amounts of power, combined witha limited budget predicated a system
with robust size and flexibility.
Hybrid: Large and intricate hybrid power supply.
This system incorporated generator, charger, large PV
array and dual Inverter circuits
1020W 990Ah 24V Selectronics
WM 1700
and LD700
Railaco SMA School Admin Railaco town The ATA has worked with the community at Railaco for a number of years. In
2008 we installed a system to power laptop computers and sewing machines.
This system has been working effectively for 2 years, however the needs of the
school have grown. The school contacted the ATA to upgrade the system to
allow for an administration office to be set up. This utilised existing equipment
as well as an increase in some components as well as trenching and other site
works.
Upgrade: upgrade of existing system, include 240v
wiring, 40A regulator and changeover as well as
install of 4 x new panels and doubling of battery bank
320W 200Ah
(additional
)
24V Selectronics
WM 1700
Bazertete School Bazertete town The school at the Bazertete convent had no reliable power during daylight hours.
As a result eductaional opportunities where closed to a number of people
especially women and girls who where worried with travelling at nightime to
attend computer training courses. This system is designed to power the
computer laboritory and was designed in to incorporate energy efficient
computers to save overall system costs.
Hybrid: Standard hybrid system with laptop
computer replacement
240W 405Ah 12V Selectronic
LD600
CVTL Emergency radio and
Light
Maliana town The Red Cross in Timor (CVTL) is refurbishing their district offices. As a key
organisation CVTL was looking for assistance as part of their emergency and
risk reparedness program. The ATA worked with CVTL to develop a system
which would ensure that there is always lighting and radio communications
available even in the event of a complete breakdown in electricity supply.
Hybrid: 12V Power supply for emergency radio and
lighting at Timor Red Cross Centers (CVTL)
320W 405Ah 12V N/A
HERA CLINIC Hera, Dili Located just 15km from Dili this clinic suffers from severly interrupted
electricity supplies. This system ensures that there is always electricity available
for lighting, nebuliser and steriliser.
Hybrid: Small hybrid to power 12v basic lighting (9
lights) during blackouts. Small inverter attached to
power nebuliser.
80W 270Ah 12V Selectronic
LD200
ETWA Weaving Center Iliona town,
Los Palos
East Timor Women Australia (ETWA) is assisting coomunities in the far East of
Timor to empowerr themselves and promote local traditions and handcrafts. As
part of this process a weaving center has been constructed in Iliona. This center
needed a source of light that could enable detailed craft work during daytime
and nightime. There was also a need for general illumination during meetings
and other community events.
RAPS: Remote Area Power supply with PV, battery
and inverter. Powers high powered LED sopotlights
to illuminate individual weaving areas
320W 405Ah 12V Victron
700W
2010-11 Completed Projects List
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Contacting the ATA International Projects
For project assistance or queries contact:
Prabir Majumdar
International Projects Manager
Alternative Technology Association
Level 1, 39 Little Collins St
Melbourne Vic 3000
Ph: +613 96316416
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ata.org.au/ipg
Twitter: ata_aus