Using micro-hydropower in the Zairian village

This article presents the experiences learned using micro-hydro power at the village level. Site evaluation procedure, financing methods, turbine fabrication, and site construction are discussed. Microhydro power provides a decentralized energy source for several of the energy-intensive tasks of villagers. Low-head, small volume hydro potential is common in the Zairian countryside. Often a potential site also serves as the village water source, hence it is located near potential beneficiaries of the power. Over the past three decades, a religious NGO in the Ubangi and Mongala Subregions of northwest Zaire has been developing this small hydro potential as part of its technology transfer and village development program. Local materials and knowledge are used as much as possible in construction. Experiences gained constructing a 370 kW hydro-electric site, as well as building water wheels for water pumping has led to the construction of micro-hydro sites using locally made cross-flow turbines. Four water wheel sites and six micro-hydro sites have been built. The hydropower is used to mill hour and hull coffee. One site also generates 220 V electricity, and two others have 12 V generation planned. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.