Water Generated Electricity
The mountainous areas of San José de los Remates receive rain 9 months of the year, which allows for a reliable and abundant supply of river water. Each system’s design are similar in that they all have a dam, a turbine and an electrical distribution system. Stored water from the dam is conducted through PVC tubes to the turbine over a vertical drop (head). The water then passes through the turbine forcing it to spin creating electricity. The electricity is distributed to the houses using electrical lines. Each house has several energy saving light bulbs and outlets that can be used to power various appliances. Each family pays a monthly tariff for the energy used.
Malacatoya
Malacatoya´s micro-hydro turbine
Description: There was no hope for the national electric network to reach this community, so the mayors office of San Jose de los Remates solicited AsoFenix for help in providing electricity.
Beneficiaries: 30 homes
Type of Energy: Micro-hydro
System:
- Pelton model turbine with 13 kilowatts potential
- A concrete dam was constructed for the purpose of storing water and diverting a portion of the river to the turbine
- 26 meters of head with a design flow rate of 100 liters per second
- Electrical system
- each house has 3 energy saving light bulbs
Maintenence: 2 technicians were trained from the community to provide upkeep of the system and installation of electrical system
System Cost: ?
Benefits:
- Increased illumination allows students to study in the evenings and women the ability to see while cooking in the early morning hours
- Improved access to information and communication through powering of cell phones, radios and televisions
- Provided means of income generation
- Improved health related to not using dirty burning kerosene lanterns
- Increased variety of diet with local access to refrigerated foods
Project Completion: July 2007
Dam site in El Roblar
See photos of the Malacatoya project
El Roblar
This current project will utilize a micro-hydro turbine to generate power for 17 homes.
La Laguna
Also a current project, the town will receive micro-hydro electricity for its 250 inhabitants.
Solar Generated Electricity
In areas that do not have year round access to running water or located close enough to a river source, energy can be provided by solar panels. Each house receives a solar panel system sized to fulfill their energy consumption needs as well as fit within their budget. No interest loans with flexible payment schedules are provided to the families to help them finance their system. Each system comes with everything needed to provide energy and light to a single house. The system is comprised of a solar panel that charges a battery, which provides energy for lighting and appliances.
Community technicans install panels, Corozo
El Corozo
Description: Located in the municipality of San José de los Remates in the department of Boaco. There was no hope for the national electric network to reach this community because it is only accessible by foot.
Beneficiaries: 23 homes
Type of Energy: Solar Panels, families chose between 25-125 watt systems
Systems Cost: 25 watts–$ , 50 watts–$ , 80 watts–$ , 125 watts–$
Systems: Each house has 3-5 energy saving light bulbs, inverter to charge cell phones, power radios and televisions
Light in the kitchen for the first time
Maintenence: 6 technicians (3 adult males, 2 female teenagers and 1 male teenager) were trained from the community to provide upkeep of systems.
Benefits: Increased illumination allows students to study in the evenings and women the ability to see while cooking in the early morning hours, increased access to information and communication through powering of cell phones, radios and televisions, and improved health related to not using dirty burning kerosene lanterns.
Project Completion: February 2009
