Socheath SOU : Renewable Energy projects in Cambodia

Renewable energy resources have been identified throughout the country with a very large potential comparing to the total demand of rural households. There are experiences in the region and in Cambodia as well with small grids based on renewable energy or designed as hybrid systems, i.e. the combination of a conventional energy source (diesel generator) with one or several renewable sources. Examples can be found in combination with photovoltaic, hydropower (small or micro), wind turbines or biomass (gasification to deliver producer gas and/or biodiesel production both for use in engines-generators).

PV/Biogass Hybrid System were founded by NEDO of Japan which had installed in Monorom Village, Sangkat Choeungkau, Khan Prey Nop, Preah Sihanouk Ville. The projected has started in 2002 for demonstrating purpose.

The hybrid system consists of 50 kW PV, diesel at rated capacity of 50 kW, and 35 kW gas engine. The PV system output is divided into two main uses, 25 kW for internal use and 25 kW for distributing to about 120 households living nearby. The power from PV modules is distributed directly in daytime to the households without storage or battery bank. Therefore, the system outputs are not synchronized together before distribution. The biogas system fueled by palm oil waste water is usually operated discontinuously in the evening from 17:30 to 23:00. The electricity produced is connected to a 220V/400V distribution line of about 1,500 meter long. The main uses of electricity are for lighting, fan, TV, rice cookers, few refrigerators, and small-in-house karaoke business in which the actual power peak demands are from 7 to 8 kW in day time and 20 kW in the evening.

Most problems are occurring on the electronic/automatic controlling units that lead to partially damage of gas generation tower/digester, even though it can be operated manually. Another problem occurred while there were lightning. The lightening system protection was broken down dues to a strong lightening in late rainy season this year.

Located in Prey Chhor district, Small hydro-PV hybrid energy system founded by NEDO of Japan in collaboration with Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy started it operation from late 2003 to 2006. The purposes of the installation are for rural electrification and a demonstration site. The system composed of 30 kW of PV with a battery bank of 120 units and 30 kWh capacity and two small hydro turbines of 25.3 kW along with 2x30 kVA of small hydro generators.

The actual power demand was in between 12 – 20 kW. The power was distributed to 409 households with 7 kilometers long in a three-phase distribution line. The purposes of using the electricity within the households are for water pumping, TV, lighting, and small-in-house business. With an average rate of 10 kWh per month, the cost of electricity charge was 0.16 USD and 0.25 USD afterward (in 2005). It was limited usage firstly. Each household was allowed to install only one fluorescence lamp for lighting in which the system can provide the electricity discontinuously and three times a day, significantly from 4:30 to 7:00, from 10:00 to 13:30, and from 16:30 to 23:00.
With the high demand of electricity demand, each family had installed more electric equipments which lead to shortage of power supply. The PV system was having troubles since the power inverters were not working properly and damages after a short time use.

Anlong Tamey Community Energy Cooperative was founded in year May 2005 under the supports from Canada Fund and US-AID. It has started with a gasifier system and a 15 kVA gas engine which can electrify 70 household and 20 public lights in the community. This system could produce a power of 7 kW continuously. Another new gasification system at the rated capacity 40 kW and gas engine with the capacity of about 30 kVA woody gas engine/generator (100% gas) and another 50 kVA alternatively (fuel types: 70% gas and 30% diesel) had been installed lately which can supply the electricity to 250 households using a three phase distribution line (220V/380V) and has 3 km long.

The technologies was imported from India which us Leucaena Leucoce Phala, which is one kind of rotational fast growing tree perfectly for tropical region, as the fuel for which 30 kg of fuel per hour was consumed. The fuel costs 12 USD per one ton. The cost of electricity is at 1500 riel/kWh (0.37 USD/kWh) where the average of consumption is 7 kWh per household. The economic activities are becoming more active and dynamics. The use of the electricity is used for hair dressing businesses, TV, lighting, and small restaurants discontinuously from 9:00 to 16:00 and from 18:00 to 23:00. Frequency would become instable if long time use. The distribution system has been protected using circuit breakers. A problem exists on the ash removal system. The system doesn’t work properly sometime and leads to the struggle in removing the ash (charcoal) remaining at the bottom of the gasifier.

The power plant is controlled and managed by the community where they could get technical support from SME Cambodia. The income from selling the electricity is used to support the community’s activities and to build up infrastructures within the community. The community is expecting to have the system completely installed with another gasifier system which could produce gas for the 50 kVA generator and the power produced by both generators could be synchronized.