Microhydro in Papua New Guinea-the experiences of an electrical engineer

After the oil price shocks of the 1970s, renewable energy research and development received a very welcome cash injection. Alternative-energy schemes were seen in a new light, and for the first time for many years microhydro systems were considered as an alternative to the diesel-powered generator. Capital costs, technical and cultural difficulties remained major problems for Third World areas. The author describes the Baindoang scheme in Papua New Guinea where a 7.5 kW, 170 m head microhydro scheme was built. The load controller for the generator and maintenance problems are discussed. Other practical problems concerning the attitudes of the villagers, nature effects, and the transmission line are also discussed