EcoInnovation for the Mohari Village Micro-hydro Project in Nepal
This entry was a project for Swiss Charity RIDS to provide a hydro solution in a very remote Nepalese village at 10,000ft (3,000m) above sea level who have never had substantive electric power before..
RIDS have been working out a new design approach to hydro power projects in the area, based on learning from the shortcomings of the previous projects. Most previous systems in Nepal use larger AC-direct turbines that typically exploit low head and high flow sites.
This system used 6 x PowerSpout PLT HP 300V turbines as they are an ideal solution for modern rural electrification projects on a modular approach using multiple turbines, and battery storage to optimise energy usage and provide for peak AC loads.
Michael Lawley of EcoInnovation (makers of PowerSpout turbines) travelled to Nepal to oversee the installation and commissioning of the turbines.
Winner: Best Off-Grid Renewable System (SEANZ Awards 2019)