Grantee Research Project Results
Development of Community Power from Sustainable Small Hydro Power Systems – A Capacity Building Project in Bangang, Cameroon
EPA Grant Number: SU834723Title: Development of Community Power from Sustainable Small Hydro Power Systems – A Capacity Building Project in Bangang, Cameroon
Investigators: Ileleji, Klein
Current Investigators: Ileleji, Klein , Lara, Alejandro , White, Austin , Kincaid, Caitlin , Busemeyer, Corrine , Hahn, Jessica , Lumkes, John , Liston, Julia , Miller, Keith , Ahiablame, Laurent , Ransdell, Patrick , Pennathur, Samhita , Njuki, Victoria
Institution: Purdue University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2011
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Description:
Electric power is one of the basic needs for the development of any community. With electric power lacking in most rural communities in Africa, providing basic amenities that are dependent on power such as clean portable drinking water, powering equipment in health and dental clinics, computer for schools, radio, and the operation of equipment in small cottage industries, etc. is lacking. Currently there are four small hydro power sites in various stages of development in village of Bangang which have the potential of providing about 300 kW of hydro power. Development of these hydro systems have begun, but the hydro power systems are not fully operational due to faulty designs which was the result of lack of qualified technical expertise in putting the project in place.
Objective:
The main goals of this project are to (1) conduct a comprehensive feasibility study of these four hydropower sites/systems under development; and (2) realize the project by implementing the design of one of them in the community of Bangang in Cameroon.
Approach:
These goals will be accomplished by an interdisciplinary group of undergraduate engineering students supervised by two faculty advisors and a graduate student. The student team will work in three focused design groups through a series of steps which include reconnaissance surveys and hydraulic studies, pre-feasibility study, feasibility study, system planning and project engineering, financing, and ownership and maintenance. As part of Phase I, a team of students will travel to Bangang, Cameroon for a 14-day project data collection/implementation, which would be followed up with visit by another team of students the following year (Phase II).
Expected Results:
A small hydro power plant will be built in Bangang using the approach outlined above. The student team will document the design and construction process into a manual on “How to build a Community hydropower Plant’ which will serve as a technology transfer tool to deliver this know-how to other communities in the Central African region. Additionally, a travel exhibit demonstrating small-hydro power and its impact will be developed for use in K-12 training.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectProgress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase II:
Development of Community Power from Sustainable Small Hydro Power Systems – A Capacity Building Project in Bangang, Cameroon | 2012 Progress Report | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.