The state of Cameroon, faced with the situation the electricity deficit s , is promoting the development of renewable energies in general and to meet rural electrification needs in particular. The purpose of this work is to study the feasibility of the MHP of Batcheu, to show its contribution to sustainable development in this locality and to prove that it is a profitable project. After study, it appears that the waterfall of Batcheu is favourable to the establishment of a MHP with an installed power of 260 kW with an operating diagram corresponding to a Francis turbine. Given that it is a renewable energy that can supply more than 800 households in rural areas, its contribution to sustainable development is obvious. Its investment cost is estimated at 171,465,396 FCFA. It is a profitable project with a payback time of 7 years and 2 months.
In 2016, the access rate to electricity in Cameroon was around 91% for urban households while in rural areas 23% of households had access [
A contribution to the sustainable development of in rural areas in Cameroon is to supply the electricity from renewable sources to the population, and more precisely through the development of the Micro Hydro Power (MHP), because not only advantages in the production of electricity for isolated sites are proven but also, Cameroon has a large network of small rivers that make up the country’s waterfalls [
The objective of this work is firstly, do the feasibility studies of waterfall of Batcheu in view to set up a MHP. Secondly, prove that the development of MHP can contribute to the sustainable development in that village and finally show that it is a profitable project.
Batcheu is a river in Penka Michel subdivision, Menoua division and West Region of Cameroon. Located in between 5˚26'54"N, 10˚18'49"E [
As materials, a length meters, some hydrological data, an electronic laser level, a software Mass-hydro and computing accessories of feasibility studies and several other documents has been used.
The survey team in recognitions visits did the gross Head measurement using an electronic laser level and obtain the gross waterfall height. Lots of data information about waterflow and topography were collected. The following
H n = 0.75 H g (1)
with Hn: the net Head, Hg: the gross Head.
Before obtained the installed power, data about discharge must be collected, treated and then plotting the curve of the classified discharges [
P = η ⋅ ρ ⋅ g ⋅ H n (2)
where P is installed power of plant in kW, Q is discharge in m3/s, g is gravity acceleration constant (=9.81 m/s2), Hn = net head (m) and η is turbine efficiency (=80% - 90%) [
The producible or the annual Energy is can be obtained by the following formula.
P E = P × 8760 (3)
where PE is the producible or the annual Energy in kWh and 8760 is the annual time in hour.
The main technical components of MHP are: The Weir, the water intake, the feeder canal, the fore bay, the penstock, turbine, electromechanical components and power house dimensions are the main technical equipment [
The Sulzer-Escher Wyss diagram is an efficiency particular technique to choose the turbine and generator. The nominal discharge Qn and the net head Hn are necessary to use it [
The net actual value (NAV) of the project is given by the following formula:
NAV = ∑ i = 1 n S R i − S i ( 1 + y ) i − I 1 (4)
where the initial investment cost is I0; discount rate is “y”; for years 1, 2, n, Cash-flows and Operating costs can be respectively represent by: R1, R2, …, Rn; S1, S2, …, Sn; The net actual value (NAV) of the project is given by the following equation:
The project is profitable if NAV ≥ 0.
The costs equipment necessary for the MHP implantation depend on many local constraints. A MHP can usually operate during around 60% to 80% of time per year, and the operating costs represent generally 30% of the cash-flow [
The gross head obtained is 17 m after lot of measurement. Then according to Equation (1), the net Head is equal to:
H n = 0.75 × 17 = 12.75 m .
About the flow rate, the Batcheu waterfall is on the same river that feeding the waterfall of the Metchié which had been followed 35 years ago. The average annual flow is 9.3 m3/s. The flow rate exceeds 12.5 m3/s with a frequency of 30% over the year. The average daily flows rate resulting from the station mentioned above made it possible to plot the curve of the classified discharges presented in the following
Present the findings of the survey to the community at an open meeting to which local government staff and local development organisation. That is why a local committee to participate in the project and to manage the operation will be create. For the success of the project, that committee must be rich in skills such as: representatives of the community according to cultural varieties, council representant, farmers, breeders and fishermen etc. [
Considering that the net Head Hn = 12.75 m. Also, from the classification curve of water flow in
P = 260 kW. So, the producible or the annual Energy is:
P E = 260 × 8760 = 2 , 279 , 012 kWh = 2279 MWh .
Technical components for that MHP are proposed by our software Mass_hydro. The characteristics of the main are:
• The turbine and generator: According to the Sulzer-Escher Wyss the suitable turbine is Francis turbine with a synchronous generator functioning in conventional frequency;
• The penstock: The length of the penstock is 18 m, considering an angle of 45˚ between the penstock and gross Head [
The following
| Elements | Values |
|---|---|
| Site characteristics | |
| Gross head | 17 m |
| Mean flow rate | 9.3 m3/s |
| Derivation elements | |
| Feeding canal | Φ ≈ 1.2 m |
| Section of fore bay | 7.2 m2 |
| Penstock | L ≈18 m, Φ ≈ 0.7 m; tp = 2.4 mm |
| Power house | L =14 |
| Turbine | |
| Type | Kaplan |
| Rotation speed | 375 tr/min |
| Net head | 12.75 m |
| Nominal flow rate | 2.6 m3/s |
| Nominal power | 260 kW |
| Alternator | |
| Type | Synchronal |
| Tension | 380/220V |
| Frequency | 50 Hz |
| Interconnection/distribution | |
| Type of grid | Isolate |
| Production of electricity | |
| Producible | 2279 MWh |
According to the law No. 022/2011 for electricity sector [
· Investment cost
Establish the source of key components particularly the turbine-generator and controller Determine the range of head/flow/power outputs of available equipment. Obtain approximate cost of total scheme from turbine generator supplier and/or other schemes. Considering the others similar projects studied in the same subdivision, as MHP of KEMKEN and Bakassa river and another work about local material there some good basis of cost evaluation [
· Cash flow
Batcheu and environing villages are rural areas, households should pay electrical energy in social range which is 50 FCFA/kWh in Cameroon [
· Operating charges
Generally, operating charges in MHP equals to the 35% of the cash-flow. Credit rate in Cameroon I about 12.5%. The inflation rate in Cameroon in 2019 was about 3% [
| No. | Component of the MHPP | Total Prices (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Civil engineering works: Total 1 = T1 | 69,215,133 |
| 2 | Metal building: Total 2 = T2 | 6,000,000 |
| 3 | Turbo-generator group: Total 3 =T3 | 44,762,500 |
| 4 | Equipment for transmission and supply of electricity Total 4 = T4 | 22,900,000 |
| Others cost (administration and legal fees): Total 5 = T5 | 13,000,000 | |
| Total = T1 + T2 + T3 + T4 + T5 | 155,877,633 | |
| Contingences 10% = I | 15,587,763 | |
| Grand Total | 171,465,396 | |
*1 Euro = 656 FCFA.
· Profitability
- Net present value NAV
The deadline of this kind of project is generally around 20 years, NAV of that project is equal to: NAV = 84,900,239 FCFA ≥ 0. The project is profitable under our hypothesis.
- Payback period (PBP)
The calculation of the payback period is: PBP ≈ 6 years + 11 months.
The development and establishment of a MHP in Batcheu could be a driver of development in this locality. An increasing in agricultural production, livestock, fishing, and any other related activity. Given that the provision of more clean energy to the populations makes the area attractive to investments. The farmers will thus be able to better preserve their products too. Activities will generate more income, lighting and appliances for small vital needs (telephones, televisions, radios, computers, refrigerators, etc.) will no longer have enough power problems. This makes it possible to improve the quality of life there and promote the sedentarization of the populations and consequently even fight against the rural exodus which is at the origin of many social problems in the big cities.
For our study, we made several assumptions, each time considering the most unfavorable situations. With a closer look, the installed power could be raised.
Considering that it is possible to feed around one hundred households (in rural area) with 30 kW as according to Lomé and Katmandou conferences in 1979 [
However, it should be remembered that this is a complex project and other problems and constraints may arise during implementation and even during operation. Financing could also experience some difficulties in a fairly tense economic environment. The project is profitable in any case.
It was question in this work to study the feasibility of the MHP of Batcheu, to show its contribution to sustainable development in this locality and to prove that it is a profitable project. A methodology and software (Mass_hydro) previously developed in some of our works have been used.
After the study, it appears that the fallshed of Batcheu is favourable to the establishment of a MHP with an installed power of 260 kW, with an operating diagram corresponding to a Francis turbine. Given that it is a renewable energy that can supply more than 800 households in rural areas, its contribution to sustainable development is obvious.
Its investment cost is estimated at 171,465,396 FCFA. It is a profitable project with a payback time of 7 years 2 months.
The solar irradiation not being weak in this locality, a system of electricity production from two hydro and solar sources would be more efficient.
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
Signe, E.B.K., Tchatchouang, L.V.N., Pokem, P., Ekoube, P.A., Meva’a, L. and Nganhou, J. (2023) Micro Hydro Power Plant for Sustainable Energy in Rural Electrification: A Case Stu- dy in Cameroon. Journal of Power and Ener- gy Engineering, 11, 34-43. https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2023.116004