MINI-HYDROPOWER PLANTS IN IRRIGATION CANALS OF THE PHILIPPINES

AS SOLUTION TO THE POWER CRISIS IN THE PROVINCES

FOR THE YEAR 2017-2018

SUBMITTED BY:
AGUILA, KEN
FERNANDEZ, NICO PAOLO
GATMAITAN, KARL EIRON
GOLOSINDA, DENVER
HERNANDEZ, ROLANDO LUIS YMANUEL G.

STEM-11 / G121
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
TABLE OF CONTENTS ii
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. Background of the Study 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem 1
1.3. Purpose of Concept 1
1.4 Goals and Objectives 1
Chapter 2: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 2
Chapter 3: SYNTHESIS 3
3.1. Concept description 3
3.2. Methodology 3
3.3. Timeline 3
3.4. Budget 3
References 4
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The Philippines often experience natural disasters. On July 6, 2017, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake
occurred that jolted the main power grid in Bohol, Leyte, and Southern Leyte. Meanwhile, in
Samar Island, the blackout lasted 3-15 days. Another example is the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda.
The said typhoon had a huge negative effect to the geothermal power plant in Leyte which caused
multiple brownouts that lasted for more than a month and it also affected other places not only the
province of Leyte. Bohol also experienced a massive power outage since the power that Bohol
uses is from Leyte.

Most of us live in a place wherein electricity is a commodity. We use electricity in our daily lives.
Things such as using the electric fan, charging our gadgets, and even turning on the lights require
the presence of electricity. Electricity can be generated through different types of sources such as
geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, wind energy and the likes. The Philippines is also
known as a country whose economy depends on agricultural success. According to the World
Bank, agricultural areas make up around 41.72% of the country. Furthermore, the Philippines is
usually affected by numerous storms and typhoons. Based on research, the country experience 20
typhoons each year. Various typhoons wreak significant damage in the faraway provinces in our
country. Electricity in these provinces usually return after a long time and this poses a huge
trouble for the inhabitants of the said provinces because electricity serves a vital role in their
different forms of livelihood. According to the Department of Energy, the consumption of
electricity in the Philippines is quite in demand. The use of electricity in residential, commercial,
industrial, and others consume a lot of it. The researchers used this scenario as inspiration for this
project and they thought of an idea to make an extra source of energy to suffice electricity
demand and power shortage. Ingram, E. (2017, May 23). Philippines administration eyeing
hydropower development on irrigation systems. Retrieved September 1, 2017, from
[Link]
[Link]
 1.2 Statement of the Problem

As much as possible, all of the people in our country should be provided with electrical power at
all times, especially during calamities such as strong floods and typhoons. Unfortunately, this is
not the case. The slow restoration of electricity in the far barangays of our country poses a problem
in the everyday lives of the people. The researchers’ solution is introducing the concept of using
the irrigation canals as a source of hydropower electricity. By utilizing this process, the people in
the barrio can use the stored electricity generated by the miniature power plant as a substitute
source of energy.

1.3 Purpose of the Concept

The researchers’ purpose for the creation of this proposal is to help those people greatly affected
by power outages in the rural places of our country. By providing an emergency supply of
electricity, the people can be assured that even if an unexpected power outage occurs, they have a
storage of electricity ready to be used.

1.4 Goals and objectives / research questions

OBJECTIVE:

1. The team’s main objective is to present a possible solution to the power crisis that is
happening in some provinces.

GOALS:

1. They want to find out if the mechanism will work effectively.

2. They want to learn if it is durable enough to withstand constant passing of water currents.
3. They want to find out if it will be able to supply sufficient energy to support the whole
town.

CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

I. LOCAL
The National Irrigation Administration or NIA has pinpointed 32 possible sites for the
development of mini-hydro power plants in different NIA-managed irrigation systems where 26
of these are in Luzon, 2 in the Visayas region while the remaining 4 are in the Mindanao islands.
All in all, the total energy that can be generated is equal to 15 214 kW.

The idea started after the NIA Administrator Antonio S. Nangel visited Japan, where he observed
several mini-hydro power plants installed in irrigation canals. He said that if this process can be
implemented in Japan, the same procedure can also be mirrored in the Philippines where the
elevation of irrigation is similar. According to him, the project would require the installation of
turbine engines in the irrigation canals to transform it into a miniature hydro power plant. “Our
irrigation systems are mostly located in far-flung barangays and putting up this project is a great
help to the prospective beneficiaries” (Nangel, 2017)

Nangel is very optimistic that the project will turn into a success because 12 firms have already
passed their Letter of Intent or LOI, and the possible sites for development is already at 22. 2
Memorandum of Agreements were already signed for the project. The mini-hydro power plant
would be beneficial in energy generation for it will help ease the problem of lack of power in the
far barangays. The miniature power plant will not have a negative effect in irrigation requirements
for the water will just pass thru the canal.

The legal basis cited for this projects include RA 9513 or the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008”
and RA 7156, known as the “Mini-Hydroelectric Power Incentives Act.” The agency also issued
Memorandum Circular No. 55 s. 2011 that describes the different guidelines on mini-
hydropower plants in irrigation canals.

The National Irrigation Administration in the Philippines is eyeing a possible development of

hydropower energy on existing irrigation projects. Last May 2017, the department signed an
agreement with Nascent Technologies Corp. for the construction and development of the future
400-kW Barit Irrigation Discharge Electric Power Plant and this construction is expected to cost
around PHP 27.6 million pesos or approximately $553 600.

According to previous investigations done by the said department, there are 357 potential irrigation
sites for the development of hydropower in the country.
 Other similar projects that were developed for this matter include the 1-MW Rizal Hydropower
Plant, located near the main system of the PRIS or Pampanga River Irrigation System in Nueva
Ecija and it started its operation in 2017.

(Visaya, 2017) stated that this move is part of the continuous effort of the agency to support the
government in sustaining more renewable energy sources that will help in the supplication of
power to the far reaches of the Philippines while boosting the agency’s income.

Current projects include the 8.5-MW Maris Main (South) Canal Hydroelectric Project which can
be found in Isabela and it will start its commercial operation in February 2018. Moreover, the
Marbel #1 Mini Hydropower Plant in South Cotabato and the Butao Irrigation Drop Mini
Hydropower Project in the province of Pangasinan were already approved and the memorandums
were already signed by the developers.

Ongoing negotiations are being held for the 630-kW Munoz Hydropower Project located in the
Upper PRIS, Nueva Ecija, the 1-MW Bulanao Mini-Hydropower Project in the Chico River
Irrigation System, Kalinga; the 3.6-MW Addalam Hydroelectric Project in Quirino; and the power
plant in the Agno River Integrated System found in Pangasinan, the Agno RIS Main Canal.

The agency reported that the construction of the said hydropower projects is aligned with
Presidential Decree No. 552, Section 2C dated September 11, 1974, which gives the department
the mandate to reach the best possible utilization and control of the water resources used for
irrigation purposes, secondarily for the development of hydraulic power, and for the domestic uses
of water.

Last February 2017, it was reported that the agency was working hand-in-hand with the Philippine
National Oil Renewable Corp. to make a new unit for the purpose of studying the potential of
developing and creating small-scale hydropower mechanisms to be used in irrigation facilities
across the country. Mini-Hydro Power Plants in Irrigation Systems. (2012, April 27). Retrieved
September 3, 2017, from [Link]
irrigation-systems

II. FOREIGN
Based on research, an agricultural cooperative in the prefecture of Tochigi in Japan has been
harnessing the power of water from their irrigation canals since 2006. The Nasunogahara Land-
Use Improvement Union or NLIU Momura No. 1 and No.2 both generate 30kW and 90kW of
electricity respectively.

This device is an example of generating electricity by the use of irrigation water, which is often
used for growing rice, a water-intensive business. In Japan, the water is brought in through man-
made irrigation systems from local lakes and rivers.

In the case of the Nasunogahara, the electricity being generated by the kinetic energy from the
height gaps in the man-made channels such as gravity is enough to supply power for the different
facilities of the NLIU. The localized electricity production is efficient as it creates enough power
at the site of consumption for it doesn’t use large amounts of electricity in connecting, before being
distributed from the transmission grid.

Because of the emergence of this type of electricity production, CO2 emissions from electricity
generation become negligible. Mini-hydropower plants are expected to cause less environmental
damage to the environment, compared to the large-scale power plants.

Moreover, the financial benefits of using smaller hydropower plants are expected. For the case of
the NLIU, the four main generators cost 100 million Yen or approximately 12 million USD,
including the installation and equipment. The NLIU expects a long-term return on investment in
one decade. Suwa, A. (2009, December 28). How Things Work: Micro Hydroelectricity in Japan.
Retrieved September 7, 2017, from [Link]
hydroelectricity-in-japan

CHAPTER 3
SYNTHESIS
3.1 Concept Description
The researchers thought about a way on how would remote areas in provinces can generate
electricity during rainy seasons or in the presence of a typhoon. They came up with an idea where
they can use the presence of the rain to generate electricity using the irrigation system. The flow
of the current in the irrigation would be used to conduct electricity. The flow of electricity now
travels into a generator and then to our homes. This will be used as a substitute source of energy
for the mean time until power comes back again. The system has a storage of approximately 20
000 kW.

3.2 Methodology
The current of the water in the irrigation system will enter a turbine where it will make use of the
water currents passing through the irrigation system to generate electricity. From the turbine the
converted energy will store up in a large generator. Then, energy from the generator will be
transferred into large battery packs that will be applied in a pole step down transformer before it
reaches and supplies into their homes. It will automatically provide electricity for their homes
during moments of power outages.

3.3 Timeline

August 11, 2017 The researchers’ came up with the idea.

August 23, 2017 They decided to conduct researches regarding
hydropower and irrigation plants.
August 29, 2017 The group started to create the research paper.
September 1, 2017 They started the second chapter of the
research.
September 7, 2017 They finished the second chapter of the paper.
September 8, 2017 The group began making the third chapter.
September 14, 2017 The draft paper was finished.
September 15, 2017 The revised paper was completed by the team.
October 2017 Estimated start of the prototype creation
January 2018 Estimated end of the prototype creation

3.4 Budget

MATERIALS NEEDED ESTIMATED COSTS

Coke cans RECYCLED
 8 yards of copper wires P187
Rechargeable 9V Battery P305.10
TOTAL: P492.10

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ingram, E. (2017, May 23). Philippines administration eyeing hydropower development on

irrigation systems. Retrieved September 1, 2017, from
[Link]
[Link]

Mini-Hydro Power Plants in Irrigation Systems. (2012, April 27). Retrieved September 3, 2017,
from [Link]

Suwa, A. (2009, December 28). How Things Work: Micro Hydroelectricity in Japan. Retrieved
September 7, 2017, from [Link]
hydroelectricity-in-japan

Philippines - Agricultural land (% of land area). (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
[Link]

Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15,
2017, from [Link]

Udtohan, L. (2017, July 7). After powerful quake, Boholanos wail over long blackout Read more:
[Link]
blackout#ixzz4skylhtD0 Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
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blackout

Rivera, D. O. (2013, November 18). Yolanda-hit Leyte geothermal plant key to restoring power in
Visayas. Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
[Link]
plant-key-to-restoring-power-in-visayas/story/
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(n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
[Link]
sheet-035-20-ga-x-12-x-12-4-brushed-
finish?utm_source=[Link]&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=iPrice

Beadsmith 16 Gauge Tarnish Resistant Copper Wire, 7.3m/8 yd, Copper. (n.d.). Retrieved
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gauge-tarnish-resistant-copper-wire-73m8-yd-
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Home Generators & Portable Power. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2017, from
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