Chiang Mai: Educator dreams up hydro plant

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EDUCATION
Educator dreams up hydro plant
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation
Chiang Mai


A hydropower plant has been constructed on a stream in Chiang Mai

Innovative charity-funde project aims to provide free electricity in remote Chiang Dao district

CHIANG MAI: -- VOCATIONAL teachers and students have joined forces with local people to construct a hydropower plant at the foot of Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain.

Manus Daomanee, president of the Toyota Automotive Technological College, is credited with starting this innovative project at this remote corner of Chiang Mai's Chiang Dao district.

Manus hopes his charity-funded project will provide free electricity for a local school and a temple from next May.

"This power plant may also be able to provide free lighting on local and public roads at night, as the school and the temple won't need to use much electricity after nightfall," said Manus.

Nestled as it is in a timeless rural setting, the mountain has attracted a high number of tourists over the years. Manus was one of those tourists and he was inspired to start the project during cycling trips to the area to take in the fresh air and indulge in a slower life. During his many visits, Manus noticed that a stream by the Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain never ran dry.

"It has water in all seasons. That's why I believe it should be possible to set up a hydropower facility here for a good cause," he said.

Manus turned his idea into action, encouraging his friends who had solid knowledge of hydropower technology to check the water flow in the Doi Luang Chiang Dao Mountain and inspect a hydropower plant in a nearby village.

He also held meetings with locals to find out if they would agree with his idea.

After he got the green light, he raised Bt3 million via two merit-making campaigns for the hydropower-plant project.

Lecturers and students from Samut Prakan Technical College have also jumped on his bandwagon. With their help in welding, designing and assembling, key parts of the 100-kilowatt hydropower plant have already been installed.

"I think we will launch one more charity campaign to raise additional funds for this project. We need some more money to buy devices such as a transformer and electric wires," Manus said.

He also hopes this project can become a learning centre in the future too.

Wimon Sripakdee, a local resident who also serves as a tour guide and village-defence volunteer, said he had taken part in the hydropower plant project from the very beginning and is keen to embrace Manus' initiative.

"I would like to contribute wherever I can. I am ready to learn new things and help run the power plant," he said.

Taweesak Khiewthong, director of Samut Prakan Technical College, said Manus's project has provided vocational students with a good opportunity to work on a real project.

"This project also gives a boost to the image of vocational students. It is also in line with the government's policy to encourage students to put their knowledge to good use," he said.

Wanit Uamsri, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Vocational Education Commission, described the hydropower plant project as an exemplary model of fruitful collaboration between private and government-run vocational education institutes.

"Through such collaboration, vocational students and teachers focus on not just learning and teaching at their institutes, but also how to apply their knowledge to benefit society and community," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Educator-dreams-up-hydro-plant-30273527.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-23

[jobin]

Looks good today. Wait till some big rain happens next July. Bye-bye water wheel.

[Thian]

Yes it looks good but that's not what counts. Let's see if this machine still works well after a few years time.

[MrBrad]

"This project also gives a boost to the image of vocational students. It is also in line with the government's policy to encourage students to put their knowledge to good use," he said.

So it's the government's policy that students should apply what they've learned. Amazing. Who would have guessed that that was the reason for going to school?

Has it been the case that students themselves, parents, the community at large, the school administration, none of these players ever thought the reason for attending school was to study something and then, after graduation, use what was learned for the betterment of the individual and others? It's a transformational concept.

[Emster23]

Along the lines of "Small is Beautiful". However, not much wiggle room for tea money and such, not like the big projects.

[oneday]

Great project. Hope they have factored in preventative maintenance.

[billd766]

Looks good today. Wait till some big rain happens next July. Bye-bye water wheel.

Why do you say that?

The water runs down a channel and a sluice gate can regulate the flow of water easily.

Water mills worked well in the UK for hundreds of years, and without knowing the specifications or the build they have probably done the same here.

Think positively and not negatively.

[Srikcir]

"We need some more money to buy devices such as a transformer and electric wires,"

Understand that the project has not yet generated electricity. When it does it will generate DC that must be converted to AC. There also must be a load management system, especially if the plant is not connected to any existing EGAT electrical grid.

While I appreciate essentially a hobbyist being involved in establishing a hydro-electric plant, the project needs a licensed electrical engineer's oversight. The plant may also require operating licenses to assure public safety.

[Puwa]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

[billd766]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

[khwaibah]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

and bad mouthing people on forums for trying do something positive.

Edited November 24, 2015 by khwaibah

[Puwa]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

and bad mouthing people on forums for trying do something positive.

These replies seem to be aimed at me, so I will respond. First of all, I didn't bad mouth anyone. I offered an assessment based on the state of the art in rural micro-hydro for remote comunities in SE Asia, and even provided a reference. Once you actually see with your own eyes what is possible through smart, thoughtful, patient work and good planning, your expectations rise.

Second, "trying to do something positive" is an awfully low bar to set for providing a basic service. When your electricity craps out at home, is that your reaction? "It's ok, the PEA is trying to do something positive." Doubtful. Please be careful not to fall into the colonialist mindset of "it's good enough for them," and another old chestnut, "they're poor so they should be thankful for whatever crumbs of civilization someone deigns to throw their way," moldy or not.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Puwa

[khwaibah]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

and bad mouthing people on forums for trying do something positive.

These replies seem to be aimed at me, so I will respond. First of all, I didn't bad mouth anyone. I offered an assessment based on the state of the art in rural micro-hydro for remote comunities in SE Asia, and even provided a reference. Once you actually see with your own eyes what is possible through smart, thoughtful, patient work and good planning, your expectations rise.

Second, "trying to do something positive" is an awfully low bar to set for providing a basic service. When your electricity craps out at home, is that your reaction? "It's ok, the PEA is trying to do something positive." Doubtful. Please be careful not to fall into the colonialist mindset of "it's good enough for them," and another old chestnut, "they're poor so they should be thankful for whatever crumbs of civilization someone deigns to throw their way," moldy or not.

Sorry you can add the first 5 post and yours to that list of being negative posters. The OP and his group are trying and thats more than the rest of you are doing.

[billd766]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

and bad mouthing people on forums for trying do something positive.

These replies seem to be aimed at me, so I will respond. First of all, I didn't bad mouth anyone. I offered an assessment based on the state of the art in rural micro-hydro for remote comunities in SE Asia, and even provided a reference. Once you actually see with your own eyes what is possible through smart, thoughtful, patient work and good planning, your expectations rise.

Second, "trying to do something positive" is an awfully low bar to set for providing a basic service. When your electricity craps out at home, is that your reaction? "It's ok, the PEA is trying to do something positive." Doubtful. Please be careful not to fall into the colonialist mindset of "it's good enough for them," and another old chestnut, "they're poor so they should be thankful for whatever crumbs of civilization someone deigns to throw their way," moldy or not.

On average the electricity at home craps out for a couple of hours at least once a month and more often in the wet season.

Yes we live in a poor rural area in Khampaeng Phet province, and no I have not fallen into the colonialist mindset of "it's good enough for them" as we live amongst "them". By the way "them" do have names and can be classified as the rural population.

When we built our house back in 2003 the nearest neighbours were about 500 metres away in each direction.

Now there are no more places to build and in a 2km stretch of the road there are 3 resorts as well as numerous recently built houses.

So far the PEA has not upgraded the single phase power network since before 2003 despite my repeated requests, though they did put in a 3 phase system that few people use.

Nor if you are interested has the government water supply been upgraded since before 2003 either. This year the pipes were shut off from min January to mid August and all the villages around had to travel to the bigger Tessaban to fill in a form requesting water. The fire truck was used to fill the ongs or storage tanks every 2 to 3 weeks depending on the demand.

[Puwa]

Unless the communities own the infrastructure, are trained in maintenance, and establish their own tariff system, it probably won't last. It would also help if they could sell surplus back to the grid, but that's not feasible in all locations. Such design details are why similar projects by IBEKA, an Indonesian micro-hydro initiative, have been pretty successful

At least they are trying to improve peoples lives in a positive way.

It is far better than sitting back with your hands out saying "give me money".

and bad mouthing people on forums for trying do something positive.

These replies seem to be aimed at me, so I will respond. First of all, I didn't bad mouth anyone. I offered an assessment based on the state of the art in rural micro-hydro for remote comunities in SE Asia, and even provided a reference. Once you actually see with your own eyes what is possible through smart, thoughtful, patient work and good planning, your expectations rise.

Second, "trying to do something positive" is an awfully low bar to set for providing a basic service. When your electricity craps out at home, is that your reaction? "It's ok, the PEA is trying to do something positive." Doubtful. Please be careful not to fall into the colonialist mindset of "it's good enough for them," and another old chestnut, "they're poor so they should be thankful for whatever crumbs of civilization someone deigns to throw their way," moldy or not.

Sorry you can add the first 5 post and yours to that list of being negative posters. The OP and his group are trying and thats more than the rest of you are doing.

I would venture to say that you don't have enough data to draw that conclusion.