​Public, non-government, and private sector actors each play important roles in the small-scale hydropower landscape.  We are often inspired by the tenacity of locally-rooted, private entrepreneurs who are unperturbed by the challenges that come with establishing and running a financially viable business that also serves rural communities.  In this guest blog post, we hear from Mr. Komarudin, an entrepreneur who wears many hats as a manufacturer, developer, technical consultant, and micro hydro champion in Bandung, Indonesia.  He introduces us to his business, Protel Multi Energy (PME), which has been supporting rural energy access for over a decade. 

Protel Multi Energy focuses on the manufacturing of affordable Digital Electronic Load Controllers (ELCs), as well as micro hydro and pico hydro turbines (crossflow and Pelton) for rural electrification all over the world. Besides product manufacturing we also assist villagers and project owners in planning and designing micro hydro schemes. Sometimes we offer technical supervision on construction and installation. We are also able to do turnkey projects under certain circumstances.

Nowadays, especially in Indonesia, we are developing many micro hydro projects through Dana Desa (village funds). We often provide support for each stage, starting from site survey, to planning and design, project supervision, supply of equipment and post-installation management. Due to their lack of knowledge and experience, we assist villagers to develop their project as their own responsibility, under our supervision to make sure it runs well with a sustainable approach and reliable equipment.

To learn more about PME and access many useful tutorial videos, visit our YouTube channel!

Electronic load controllers (ELCs) are a critical component of micro hydropower systems, which keep turbines, generators, and the energy they produce within safe operating ranges, as loads are switched on and off.  ELCs can prevent damage to appliances and micro hydro components and even mitigate fire and electrical hazards.  Despite their important role, ELCs are generally the least understood component of micro hydro systems.  Equipment selection can be particularly challenging if practitioners are unfamiliar with the different types of ELCs and their relative merits. 

To help demystify ELCs and ease the equipment selection process, our Controllers and Load Management Work Stream has developed an easy-to-follow factsheet.  This “Basics of Electronic Load Controllers (ELCs)" tool provides a useful background on electronic, automatic and manual flow control, with pointers on their relative cost and suitability in different contexts.  Specific types of ELC designs are further illuminated, as well as ballast/dump load types and control methods, commissioning checks, and useful questions to ask of suppliers.   

Check out the “Basics of Electronic Load Controllers (ELCs)" at this link.

We extend our thanks to Work Stream contributors Ajith Kumara, Bob Matthews, Dan Frydman, Jiwan Kumar Mallik and Rams Vaidhyanathan.

For more useful tools, check out our Micro Hydro Toolkit for Practitioners, which includes a DIY ELC Simulation Tool designed to help train local operators!

A common cause of power outages in communities with micro hydropower systems is when the demand on the system is too high. Residents are often unaware of their energy usage leading them to connect more appliances than can be supported. This causes the safety systems to disconnect the supply, causing the shutdown.

Through collaboration between Tonibung, Green Empowerment and HPNET, and funding from the WISIONS Sustainable Energy Project Support (SEPS) grant, an open-source design for the device was conceptualized, aimed at enabling local practitioners to manufacture it themselves.

The load indicator was envisioned to be a simple plug-and-play device that can be fitted in any regular household socket. When the micro hydropower system is nearing a critical threshold, the device will sound an alarm warning consumers that further usage of appliances will overload the system and cause a power outage.

Learn to build your own Canary Load Indicator Device here at this link.
Learn about Open Source Technology for Community-based Renewable Energy here at this link. ​