CRT/N e-news, February 2012 Vol. 2 No. 18 1

Background

Two-thirds of Nepal's total population belongs to

the hilly region in Nepal and their settlements are

usually remote and sparse. Such settlements cannot be easily served with conventional piped water systems.

The installation, fuel and maintenance of conventional pumping systems using fossil fuel (diesel or gasoline) or

other forms of energy such as electrical or solar driven pumps are usually unaffordable for poor, remote

communities. In this context, rural people, especially women and children, have to walk for hours to distant

springs for collecting water for household purposes. In addition, managing water for irrigation purpose is still a

big challenge.

Hydram as a Solution

The Hydraulic Ram Pump (Hydram) is a mature technology existing since 18th century. It uses the

power available in flowing water, dropped from height of few meters, to lift certain volume of the water to

much greater height. As the technology only uses the

power of flowing water resource that is free, its

operating costs is very low. Moreover, Hydram can

also be considered as a 'zero emission'' technology. With the advancement in the design, the technology

can be manufactured in the country, easily operated and maintained by the rural communities. The system

may cost over USD 5000 depending upon size and capacity of the system.

In developing countries, the Hydram is typically used to

deliver water for household use (drinking and

sanitation) in rural communities where people have to collect and carry water manually from a distant source.

It is also used for small and medium scale irrigation in many developing countries. This system can also

support other income generating activities such as cattle rearing, fish farming and bio-fertilizer production.

Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) has adopted an appropriate hydraulic ram pump system

based on the patented technology of Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), the

Philippines. AIDFI has eight different designs of ram pump of various sizes and intake rates (10 to 1300 litres

per minute) that are suitable for different heads, flow

rates and delivery heights. Usually, for small schemes, an individual pump is installed but for larger schemes

multiple pumps are connected in parallel or in series depending on the head and flow rate. The pump can

operate continuously lifting water up to 200 metres high and delivering water in a reservoir at the village,

which normally will be filled up overnight and used up throughout the day.

Hydram as Irrigation Technology

Water pumped by Hydram is used for household

purpose including sanitation and irrigation. Generally, water supplied by the system is used in micro-irrigation

especially for vegetable farming. The Hydram can

operate even during the dry months supplying water

for vegetable crops. This serves to be additional yield and income for the farmers compared to their usual

harvest. Further, the Hydram can also be used to supplement rice and cereal cultivation during erratic or

insufficient rains. This will help the farmers adapt to the changing climate and allow more reliable returns.

Access to water can boost economic development in the community and also support livelihood

development, such as brick making or types of agro-processing.

One Hydram of 4 inch can irrigate approximately 20 ropanies (approx. 1 hectare) of land. A single Hydram

can pump approximately 28,000 to 250,000 litres of water per day. Over a 110 day crop growing period,

the system can deliver an estimated irrigation water amount of nearly 300 mm (or about 3 mm per day) to

the 20 ropanies of land.

CRT/N e-news

Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal Towards Action for Development… Since 1989 February 2012, Vol. 2 No. 18

Hydram a Solution to Livelihood Enhancement

CRT/N e-news, February 2012 Vol. 2 No. 18 2

Hydram as a Solution to Gender Needs

Nepalese society perceives water fetching activity as mainly women's responsibility. Household works are traditionally on the shoulder of women and caring of family is a household domain, which is where women mean to confine their works. "Water and energy… are activities that take up an enormous amount of women’s time and pose a major bottleneck to their productivity as well as their contribution to society as care providers.

By addressing these bottlenecks, women can bring about improvements in all-round quality of life for their household and themselves. It can help them meet the practical needs (ensuring daily survival) of the women and also addressed their productive needs (income generation and increased economic capabilities), as well as their strategic needs (position in society, in particular to gain greater equality with men, and help toward their empowerment)." (Women, Energy and Water in the Himalayas, UNEP/ICIMOD) This saving in time must be harnessed by integrating other support mechanisms (such as credit mobilization, skill development training, and institutional development training). Uplifting of water saves many hours which reduces drudgery and the time spent collecting water. This, in return, can allow more time for children to study, and adults to spend on livelihoods or social time.

Author: Dinesh Adhikari, Engineer

Contact: dinesh@crtnepal.org

(This article may not necessarily reflect views of CRT/N.)

Improved Water Mill (IWM) The Improved Water Mill (IWM) is a modified version of traditional water mill. IWM is an intermediate technology that increases the efficiency of the traditional water mill resulting in increased energy output thus helping both the millers and its users. The improvement covers basically the replacement of wooden parts (rotor, shaft and chute) with metallic parts. This increases its operational efficiency as well as makes it more useful with additional machines for hulling, oil expelling, saw milling, lokta beating, and electricity generation. The chute is mostly wooden, however, sometimes is made of polyethylene or tin sheet.

The speed of IWM shaft ranges around 200-300 rpm depending upon the head and flow of water and the power output ranges from 0.5 kW to 3 kW. Its grinding capacity ranges from 20-50 kg/hr (maize) while the traditional mill only grinds 10-20 kg of maize per hour. The repair/maintenance cost is reduced after installation of IWM and its life span can be maximized up to 10 years.

The IWM exists in short shaft (SS) and long shaft (LS) versions. The selection of whether to install a SS or LS

also depends on availability of water power. The length of a SS is 4ft whereas that of LS is 6ft. A SS IWM is used for grinding only while a LS IWM has diverse end-uses of its power. Having a longer shaft, the LS IWM can run a number of machineries transferring its power through suitable couplings. Thus LS IWM has great versatility in its final delivery of services. Though the installation cost increases, a LS IWM provides opportunity for the investors to diversify their business.

Technology

Sketch of an Improved Water Mill

Women Carrying Water to Meet Their Practical Needs

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Solar Dryer Project The Solar Dryer Project under the title "Women in Drying Food and Heating Water Using Solar Dryer" is undertaken by Centre for Rural Technology Nepal (CRT/N) since October 1, 2010 with support form The Lemelson Foundation, USA. The project has a target to disseminate 75 units of cabinet type solar dryer among the rural women in suburbs of Kathmandu with support from Women Support Cooperative (WSC).

Participatory Assessment Report

CRT/N has conducted "Participatory Assessment" on the impact of the cabinet solar dryer. The major objective of the assessment is to get comprehensive and integrated understanding of the project, stakeholders involved and project implementation. The assessment methodology followed data collection tools such as semi-structured interview, phone interview, field visit, observation, focus group discussion.

Based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, the assessment concluded that behavioral change in using solar dryer for heating water and drying food is seen among technology users. The report also depicts that the users benefited from the technology especially for household purpose. Moreover, the technology proved

even more beneficial for those who took up home business from solar dryer. It was found that the dryers are being used for drying variety of food items such as, meat, pulse nuggets, radish, spices, fruits and nuts, cereal, bread crumbs, etc. The users are also utilizing dryer to heat water which is used in making tea, washing and bathing.

The project has been successful in disseminating 75 solar dryers to WSC members. The reasons of success in meeting physical target of the project as highlighted by the report are credit support from WSC and subsidy delivery from Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). These approaches have made the solar dryers affordable to the users.

Excerpt from Final Report: Gender Issues in Renewable (Rural) Energy Policies of Nepal, February 2011, CRT/N and IAPH Forum with support from ENERGIA: International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, the Netherlands.

Following analysis has been extracted here to highlight to what extent Subsidy Policy 2009 has addressed gender concerns. - Editors

The subsidy policy has been formulated with the objective of enabling to rural poor and socially disadvantaged people to access improved energy services. The Policy makes direct provisions for micro hydro, solar (home systems, dryer, PV pumping and cookers), metal cook-stoves, biogas and wind technologies. Largely, the subsidies are decided based on end use, sector (domestic, institutional and community) and geographical location. However, in case of biogas programme additional subsidy has been announced for the “Poor, Dalit, Depressed, Conflict Affected” which includes the poor women member group of the rural development banks.

The Subsidy Policy 2009 has been analyzed from gender perspective. The gender gaps identified from analysis are presented in the Table 3.5 below.

Project Feature

Interview with Solar Dryer Users

Gender Mainstreaming in Energy

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Table 3.5: Highlights of the Subsidy Policy 2009 Assessment

Policy Issues Addressed in the Policy Gender Gaps

General statement

Increase development impact in terms of service delivery efficiency and increased access to rural poor and socially disadvantaged to energy services

Socially disadvantaged group includes women, but this is not clearly stated.

Objectives – To maximize service delivery efficiency in the use of renewable energy resources and technologies in rural areas and to provide opportunity to low-income rural households to use RETs

– To support rural electrification and to gradually reduce the growing gap of electricity supply and consumption between rural and urban areas.

– To support development and extension of RET markets by attracting private sector Entrepreneurs

– To support the envisaged long-term target of GoN in providing rural electrification and energy services

– To make use of grant assistance provided by donors, existing and forthcoming, in a more effective and objective way

Socially disadvantaged group including gender disparity group are not mentioned

Policy statement and subsidy levels

Micro-hydro:

– Provision of subsidy for installation of new micro hydro plant and rehabilitation of old ones

– Provision of subsidy for Micro-hydro providing community services.

– Provision of transport subsidy

– Additional financial support for productive use of energy.

Solar home system: subsidy provision based on geographical location, subsidy on small solar system to get rid of kerosene wick lamps

Institutional solar PV system: subsidy based on community services provided

Solar water pump, solar cooker: subsidy general

Solar dryer: general subsidy for household and special preference for commercial use and drying organic products

Biogas:

– Subsidy on the basis of capacity, geographical location, community benefit (recently announced by the government), toilet attached

– Additional subsidy for poor, dalit, deprived women, and conflict affected.

– Provision of transportation subsidy for remote areas

IWM: subsidy for short shaft and long shaft and endues application

ICS: No subsidy for mud stove, provision of subsidy for metal stoves and gasifiers

Wind technology: Financial support for research and development, for solar and wind power hybrid system in rural areas with no access to grid line and micro hydro power, subsidy provision for feasible electrification of small turbine

No consideration of gender differences

Consideration of health and hazard resulting from the use of kerosene wick lamps

Subsidy provision considering ownership of systems by women also women headed households

Subsidy delivery procedure

Institutional credit mechanism established under Rural Energy Fund so as to maintain and expand service delivery sustainability in RET sector

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Improved Water Mill Programme Initiated in 2003, the Improved Water Mill (IWM) Programme has now been executed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) since 2011 under its Energy Sector Assistance Programme (ESAP). CRT/N is the technical service provider of the programme.

Programme Initiation Workshop A one-day "Programme Initiation Workshop" was organized to newly pre-qualified local partner organizations (LPOs) and kit manufacturers in Surkhet district on 29th January 2012 under IWM Programme. A total of about 50 members including CRT/N Field Facilitators (FFs), LPOs, Ghatta Owners Association (GOAs) and IWM kit manufacturers, representatives from District Development Committee/District Energy and Environment Unit (DDC/DEEU) and Sundar Nepal (RRESC of ESAP) participated at the workshop.

The workshop was conducted with an objective to aware the local stakeholders about the IWM Programme objectives, strategies, approaches activities, and also to seek support, co-operation and participation from them in programme implementation. The workshop also highlighted about possibility of integrating Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on IWM Programme and its practical implementation; roles and responsibilities of LPOs, GOAs and IWM kit manufacturers. The workshop enhanced the capacity of the participants to coordinate with the IWM Programme stakeholders. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Madan Thapaliya, Programme Manager of IWM Programme; Mr. Tej Bahadur Oli and Mr. Pitamber Pandey, Programme Officers and other Field Facilitators.

Improved Water Mill Installation Training Seven-day "IWM Installation Training to the Staff of New LPOs" was conducted in Surkhet district from 30 January – 5 February 2012. Altogether, 19 technicians

from newly pre-qualified LPOs from 14 districts participated the training.

The main objective of the training was to build the capacity of technical staffs of newly pre-qualified IWM LPOs by imparting knowledge and practical skills on different aspects of operation, repair and maintenance of IWM. Theoretical and practical knowledge about the feasibility, technical survey as well as installation of IWM was also provided to the participants. The training was facilitated by Mr. Tej Bahadur Oli, Mr. Pitamber Pandey, Programme Officers, Mr. Ghanshyam Poudel, Programme Assistant and Mr. Deepak Raut, Field Facilitator.

Biomass Energy Support Programme

The Regional Rural Energy Service Centre (RRESC) Kathmandu of Biomass Energy Support Programme has carried out different promotional activities aimed to

Project Updates

Participants in Program Initiation Workshop

Participants Measuring Discharge Using Float Method

VDC level campaign in Pyutar VDC, Lalitpur

CRT/N e-news, February 2012 Vol. 2 No. 18 6

foster installation and use of Improved Cookstove (ICS) in communities as part of its regular activities. In January, 17 village development committee (VDC) level information campaigns, 5 orientation and demonstrations and 4 control cooking tests were performed in five service districts, namely, Nuwakot, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Rasuwa and Kathmandu. VDC level information campaign is designed to disseminate relevant information regarding ICS and its benefits to the users and also demonstrate different types of ICS.

Control cooking test is performed in ICS to evaluate its performance. It is achieved in terms of parameters like specific fuel consumption and cooking time. The results vary according to place and time, however the tests have revealed that an ICS consumes about 25% less fuel (wood) and cooking is accomplished in around 44% less time than in case of traditional stoves.

These activities have been successful in promoting knowledge about ICS and its demand, and in some cases have earned supports from local stakeholders.

Terai ICS Carbon Project

Review and Planning Meeting

An Annual Review and Planning Meeting of Terai ICS

Carbon Project was organized from 18-19 January 2012 in Kathmandu. Central and regional project team participated in the meeting to review the activity plan of 2012 based on experiences and learning of last year. Mr. Rajan Thapa, representative of EGLURO, UK also participated at the meeting providing valuable input during action plan revision.

Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies for Enhanced Rural Livelihoods, Nepal CRT/N initiated a two-year project on "Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies for Enhanced Rural Livelihoods, Nepal" (REFEL Project) from 1 December 2011 – 30 November 2013 in partnership with Finnish Consulting Group Ltd., Finland with the support from Nordic Environment Finance Cooperation (NEFCO) within the framework of Nordic Climate Facility. Rural Village Water Resources Management Project (RVWRMP) is the main partner to facilitate at local level. The objective of the project is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve food security situation and to improve the living conditions and economic situation of rural population in remote districts via application of renewable energy technologies.

Orientation/Training for Project Staffs Eight-day orientation training was organized under the REFEL project to newly recruited project staffs at CRT/N, from 16-23 January 2012. A total of 7 members comprising Regional Field Coordinator, Regional Account/Administration Assistant, District Field Coordinators for Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Doti, Kailali and Achham districts participated at the orientation training.

The orientation training was conducted with an objective to orient newly recruited staffs about the renewable energy technologies, strengthen the knowledge of staffs on installation, repair and maintenance of ICS, IWM, Hydram and build the capacity of staffs so that they can orient about RETs on their own. The orientation training was jointly facilitated by various experts from CRT/N and RVWRMP on introduction to the project and different IWM, ICS and Hydram technology, gender integration in renewable energy technology, green house gas reduction, food security and livelihood enhancement and community mobilization.

Participants from Central and Regional Project Team

Participants during practical session in Dhading

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As part of orientation training, the participants visited Dhading district to observe IWM, ICS and Hydram technologies. The participants were provided with hands-on knowledge on construction of ICS, repair and maintenance of ICS, IWM and Hydram technologies during the session.

Central Level Introductory Meeting CRT/N organized "Central Level Introductory Meeting" under REFEL Project on 8th February 2012 at CRT/N with related stakeholders/line agencies. The objective of the meeting was to introduce and share about project and seek cooperation and coordination from the partners/stakeholders for successful implementation of the project.

Altogether 20 participants from Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC), Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads (DOLIDAR), Rural Village Water Resources Management Project (RVWRMP II) and CRT/N participated in the meeting. The participants provided valuable inputs at

the meeting that are important in implementing the project.

Workshop on "Earthquake Risk in Kathmandu - Are We Prepared?" A one day national workshop on "Earthquake Risk in Kathmandu - Are We Prepared?" was jointly organized by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), Center of Resilient Development (CoRD), UN-Habitat and DP-NET on the occasion of Earthquake Safety Day 2068 on 27th January, 2012.

The main objective of the workshop was to review lesson learned from earthquake occurred on 18th September 2011 (Asoj 01, 2068 BS) in Eastern Nepal, other earthquakes in the recent past in the world and to identify strengths, gaps and challenges for

earthquake risk mitigation. Mr. Subarna Kapali, Acting Director of CRT/N, participated at the workshop.

Interaction on Indoor Air Pollution in Nepal Indoor Air Pollution and Health Forum (IAPHF), Nepal organized a talk programme on 8th February 2012. Mr. Samuel Neal Shiroff, Business Development Director from BSH-Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, Germany and Dr. Agnes Klingshirn from GIZ visited Practical Action Nepal to discuss about the indoor air pollution problem in Nepal and current initiatives of forum members. Mr. Subarna Kapali, Acting Director of CRT/N, shared on 'CRT/N's Initiatives on Household Energy and Indoor Air Pollution Reduction' at the

interaction programme. There was also experience sharing from other presenters on IAP issues.

Orientation Programme for Manufacturer Companies and RRESCs The Biomass Energy Support Programme of AEPC/ESAP organized a two day "Orientation Programme for

Manufacturer Companies and RRESCs" from 18-19 January in Lalitpur district. Altogther 11 manufacturer companies and 3 RRESCs were oriented on new Metallic Improved Cookstove (MICS) models, their manufacturing and installation process, revised subsidy delivery mechanism, monitoring mechanism and compensation calculation for deviated cases. During the programme, various aspects of shifting biomass energy technologies to CDM carbon projects and roles and responsibilities of RRESCs and manufacturer companies were also explored. Mr. Damodar Karki, Regional Coordinator, Mr. Roshan Adhikari, Biomass Energy Engineer of RRESC Kathmandu managed by CRT/N, participated on the programme.

Enterprising Ideas at Eco-Fair 2012 Himal Media Pvt. Ltd. held “1st Nepali Times Eco-fair 2012” at Academy Hall, Kamaladi from 11-12 February 2012 to promote environmental friendly technologies and solutions. Centre for Rural Technology Nepal (CRT/N) along with its sister concern Rural Energy

Nepal Highlights

Participants in the Meeting

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Technology Service Centre (RETSC) Pvt. Ltd. participated in the Eco-Fair 2012 demonstrating Parabolic Solar Cooker, Solar Dryer, IWM, Rocket Stove and Hydram technologies.

Students and young energy enthusiasts seemed fascinated by the demonstration of Hydram, which can be an appropriate technology for the geographically difficult areas of rural Nepal, deprived of proper water supply for drinking and irrigation. Moreover, Solar Dryer and Parabolic Solar Cooker also drew attention of visitors.

During the two-day event, over 40 exhibitors offered their innovations and information on solar technologies, waste management, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, electric vehicles and other eco-friendly products. Among 10,000 plus visitors, most of them were drawn towards the solar technologies on display. As the chief spokesman of the fair and publisher of Nepali Times, Mr. Kunda Dixit aptly put it “It’s high time we start regarding these renewable and eco-friendly technologies not as alternative, but mainstream the technologies.”

Low Emissions Asian Development (LEAD) Program

Low Emission Asian Development (LEAD) Program initiated by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a five-year program designed to build capacity and low emission strategy GHG inventories and accounting, and carbon market readiness in 11 countries including Nepal.

In this context, Forest Action Ne pal has assisted in organizing a consultation meeting of relevant NGOs on 19th January 2012 to discuss how the LEAD program could provide support to Nepal. Mr. Subarna Kapali, Acting Director participated at the meeting.

Heartfelt Condolence

CRT/N family is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our staff Mr. Dhanashyam Ghimire on 23rd February 2012. We pray for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

CRT/N e-news Advisors: Ganesh Ram Shrestha, Executive Director Vol. 2 No. 18, February 2012 Subarna Kapali, Acting Director Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) Editors: Babita Adhikari, Lachana Shresthacharya, Pratikshya Pradhan, Kumaripati, Lalitpur. Programme Officers PO Box 3628, Kathmandu. Nepal Assisted by: Kaushila Rai, Programme Assistant Tel.: +977-1-5008536, 5008538. Fax: +977-1-5008537. Email: info@crtnepal.org. Web: www.crtnepal.org

International Highlights

Recent Publication

Solar Dryer Manual

CRT/N has published "Solar Dryer Manual" targeting solar dryer users to provide information on the technology, process of drying food and heating water, repair and maintenance and entrepreneurship development. The manual has been produced under "Women in Drying Food and Heating Water Using Solar Dryer" Project.

Distinguished Guests at CRT/N

Mr. Venkata R. Putti, Ph.D., Programme Team Leader, Energy Access, Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), The World Bank, USA and Mr. Ashish Shrestha, World Bank, Kathmandu made a visit to CRT/N on 20th January, 2012 to know about household energy services in context to Nepal.