For nearly four decades, SIBAT (Sibol Ng Agham At Teknolohiya) has supported sustainable rural development throughout the Philippines, including through the advancement of community-based renewable energy solutions. SIBAT has always championed a highly collaborative approach prioritizing community involvement and leadership at every stage of the micro hydro project lifecycle, from project initiation to completion and beyond. The following provides a glimpse into some of SIBAT’s micro hydro endeavours from 2022 with communities in the Cordillera region of Luzon.
System Upgrade in Brgy. Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra
In January 2021, SIBAT began working with the community of Brgy. Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra to install a new micro hydropower system (MHP). This new system will be an alternate system for their existing system during summer. The pre-existing and new system have the same source and forebay but have different penstocks and powerhouses. The old system has a higher head but cannot accommodate their needs for irrigation during Summer, since its tailrace goes directly to the river. On the other hand, the new system has a smaller head but can accommodate the community’s needs for irrigation since the tailrace will be connected to their irrigation system. The old system’s capacity is 25kW while the new system can only produce up to 15kW. The project is nearing completion following unforeseen delays in 2022.
In January 2021, SIBAT began working with the community of Brgy. Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra to install a new micro hydropower system (MHP). This new system will be an alternate system for their existing system during summer. The pre-existing and new system have the same source and forebay but have different penstocks and powerhouses. The old system has a higher head but cannot accommodate their needs for irrigation during Summer, since its tailrace goes directly to the river. On the other hand, the new system has a smaller head but can accommodate the community’s needs for irrigation since the tailrace will be connected to their irrigation system. The old system’s capacity is 25kW while the new system can only produce up to 15kW. The project is nearing completion following unforeseen delays in 2022.
Crossflow Turbine Fabrication - Sitio Saltan Brgy. Balbalasang
SIBAT has also been supporting an ongoing project to install a new micro hydro system in Sitio Saltan Brgy. Balbalasang, Balbalan Kalinga. A machinist at SIBAT completed the fabrication of the crossflow turbine for the new system at SIBAT's Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology (CREATech). The new system has a design power output of 15KW which will power the whole sitio (i.e. hamlet/territorial enclave). It is hoped that the installation of a system separate from the Brgy. Balbalasang micro hydro will completely allow the communities to power their other appliances and machinery.
SIBAT has also been supporting an ongoing project to install a new micro hydro system in Sitio Saltan Brgy. Balbalasang, Balbalan Kalinga. A machinist at SIBAT completed the fabrication of the crossflow turbine for the new system at SIBAT's Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology (CREATech). The new system has a design power output of 15KW which will power the whole sitio (i.e. hamlet/territorial enclave). It is hoped that the installation of a system separate from the Brgy. Balbalasang micro hydro will completely allow the communities to power their other appliances and machinery.
Operator’s Training - Apayao Cluster
From April 20-21, 2022, SIBAT ran an Operator’s Training in Apayao Province, in the Cordillera mountains of Northern Luzon. As part of the training, 50 participants were grouped into small teams of 5 members each to disassemble and reassemble a crossflow turbine, in order to learn its components. They were guided by SIBAT staff.
From April 20-21, 2022, SIBAT ran an Operator’s Training in Apayao Province, in the Cordillera mountains of Northern Luzon. As part of the training, 50 participants were grouped into small teams of 5 members each to disassemble and reassemble a crossflow turbine, in order to learn its components. They were guided by SIBAT staff.
Disassembly and reassembly of crossflow turbine during the Operator’s Training in Apayao Cluster. (Credit: SIBAT)
The 6-wheeler truck of the Katablangan Indigenous Farmer’s Association (KIFA) did not survive the challenges the road posed on the journey to Upper Katablangan, Conner, Apayao. Thus, SIBAT’s 4WD pickup truck helped to haul the materials. After the 15km travel (approximately two hours), materials needed to be transferred again since the materials can only be hauled by a motorcycle or by manually carrying them because of a narrow road. It took four round trips for SIBAT’s pickup truck to haul all the materials since it is not that big.
Hauling of Materials to Upper Katablangan, Conner, Apayao via a 15km muddy road. (Credit: SIBAT)
Operator's Training - Kalinga Cluster
From October 20-21, 2022 SIBAT held another Operator’s Training in the Kalinga Province, which involved both theoretical and hands-on lessons to train local micro hydro operators on calibration and troubleshooting for synchronous alternators. 50 operators and officers attended the training from 10 different communities in Kalinga Province.
From October 20-21, 2022 SIBAT held another Operator’s Training in the Kalinga Province, which involved both theoretical and hands-on lessons to train local micro hydro operators on calibration and troubleshooting for synchronous alternators. 50 operators and officers attended the training from 10 different communities in Kalinga Province.
In addition, a separate workshop was conducted for the officers of the MHPs. The workshop was attended by officers with operating MHPs and non-operating MHPs. During the workshop, officers of non-operating MHPs shared the reasons why their systems shut down and indicated that they want to rehabilitate their MHPs to operate again. Officers of operating MHPs also shared what are the current issues and problems they are encountering in operating and maintaining the MHPs. Before the workshop was finished, the whole group formulated solutions to prevent shutdowns and solve the current and future issues that they might encounter.
Separate workshop for the Officers of the MHPs, during the Local Operator’s Training – Kalinga Cluster. (Credit: SIBAT)
Rehabilitation of Brgy. Talalang, Balbalan, Kalinga Micro Hydro System
Finally, a success was celebrated in Brgy. Talalang, Balbalan, where the community’s MHP system was successfully rehabilitated. After 2 decades of frequent shutdowns and 8 hrs/ per day operation, the Talalang MHP system almost shutdown for good, but with the help of SIBAT, the system now operates for 24 hrs/day.
Finally, a success was celebrated in Brgy. Talalang, Balbalan, where the community’s MHP system was successfully rehabilitated. After 2 decades of frequent shutdowns and 8 hrs/ per day operation, the Talalang MHP system almost shutdown for good, but with the help of SIBAT, the system now operates for 24 hrs/day.
Inauguration of the successful rehabilitation of Brgy. Talalang, Balbalan, Kalinga MHP System. (Credit: SIBAT)
We extend our thanks to Mr. Shen Maglinte, Project Manager at SIBAT, for taking the time to share the photos and descriptions in this blog post. Mr. Maglinte can be reached at [email protected].
The photos were contributed and collated by the SIBAT CBRES Team including Engr. Jeymart Erasquin, Engr. Benazir Gayyed, Engr. Dahlia Tineza, Engr. Philip Rusland Taggaoa, Gengen Elvina, Jonel Baawa, Deo Espilita, Glendo Gayyed and Roelito Laron.
This article was developed by HPNET Thematic Coordinator, Lara Powell.
The photos were contributed and collated by the SIBAT CBRES Team including Engr. Jeymart Erasquin, Engr. Benazir Gayyed, Engr. Dahlia Tineza, Engr. Philip Rusland Taggaoa, Gengen Elvina, Jonel Baawa, Deo Espilita, Glendo Gayyed and Roelito Laron.
This article was developed by HPNET Thematic Coordinator, Lara Powell.
