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Chambamontera Micro-hydro Scheme

AQA GCSE Geography > Resource Management > Chambamontera Micro-hydro Scheme

Where is Chambamontera?

Chambamontera is a remote community in Peru in the Andes Mountains, accessible by a rough track more than two hours from the closest town, Jaén.

Why does Chambamontera need a sustainable energy scheme?

The community of Chambamontera requires a sustainable energy scheme because most of its inhabitants rely on subsistence farming, small-scale coffee production, and livestock rearing. The lack of electricity has significantly hindered development , as it is essential for heating, lighting, and powering homes and businesses. Despite efficient farming practices, poverty is widespread, with nearly half of the population living on just US$2 a day. The area’s challenging terrain, with steep slopes at altitudes up to 1700 meters and roads often closed in winter, contributes to its isolation and the economic impracticality of constructing a traditional electricity grid.

What is the Chambamontera micro-hydro scheme?

To address the energy shortage, Chambamontera implemented a micro-hydro scheme with the help of the charity Practical Action. The region’s high rainfall, steep terrain, and fast-flowing rivers make it well-suited to harnessing water power as a sustainable energy source. The project’s total cost was US$51,000, with funding from the government, investments from Japan, and contributions from the local community. Each family faced an average cost of US$750, with credit options available to assist with payments.

The main characteristics of a micro-hydro scheme

How has the local community benefited?

The micro-hydro project has brought numerous advantages to the local community by delivering a reliable and sustainable energy source. This initiative has significantly improved the residents’ livelihoods by allowing for more productive economic activities. Benefits of the scheme include:

• The generation of renewable energy reduces reliance on non-sustainable sources.
• Minimal maintenance and operational expenses associated with the technology.
• A negligible environmental footprint, preserving the natural integrity of the region.
• Using local workforce and materials in the construction fosters community involvement and economic benefit.

The micro-hydro scheme has led to several improvements for the local community, including:

• Encouraging business growth, as access to piped water has enabled the use of machinery for coffee processing.
• Reducing the risk of fires since there is no longer a need for kerosene lighting.
• Improving educational opportunities by enabling students to study after dark due to improved school facilities.
• Strengthening healthcare services through the refrigeration of medicines.
• Promoting safer nighttime mobility with the installation of street lights.
• Contributing to an increase in the local population by reducing rural-to-urban migration.
• Mitigating flood risks by regulating river water flow.
• Decreasing reliance on wood as a heating source helps prevent deforestation and soil erosion .
• Ensuring the project’s sustainability with a lifespan of at least 25 years.
• Providing consistent electricity during winter months when the demand for heating is greater.
• Offering dependable power supply for refrigeration, lighting, computer use, and entertainment.

Chambamontera, an isolated Andean community in Peru, needed a sustainable energy scheme due to its reliance on subsistence farming and the limitations posed by its geography and lack of electricity.

The micro-hydro scheme, costing US$51,000 and supported by Practical Action, harnesses the region’s high rainfall and river flows, enabling renewable energy generation with low maintenance.

The project improves local businesses, healthcare, education, and safety, reduces environmental impact , and addresses seasonal energy demands.

Reducing the need for wood burning and kerosene lighting lessens deforestation, soil erosion, and fire hazards while fostering economic growth.

The scheme promises long-term benefits with a minimal ecological footprint, enhancing the quality of life and self-sufficiency of the Chambamontera community.

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Iceland geothermal energy case study

Iceland – geothermal energy

Bjarnarflag Geothermal Station – located near Lake Myvatn in northwest Iceland, Bjarnarflag Geothermal Station is the smallest owned by Landsvirkjun and Iceland’s first geothermal power plant. Electricity, produced by steam from the steam supply system in Bjarnarflag is distributed to nearby households.

Hellisheiði Power Station  – located in Hengill, southwest Iceland, it is the second largest geothermal power station in the world. It is aimed to meet the ever increasing demand for electricity & hot water in Iceland e.g. for hot springs. As a result it underwent further expansion in 2007 – 2008, with a few more turbines added.

Krafla Geothermal Station  – in northern Iceland; its location near Lake Myvatn makes it an ideal place for travellers in Iceland. Sightseeing is very popular in the region with lava fields and explosion crater Viti.

How geothermal energy is produced & developed by governments

Temperatures in the Earth’s core are very high, >5000 °C. Deep underground, rocks & water absorb heat from the magma. Water is pumped down an “injection well”, filters  through cracks in the rocks in the hot region & comes up “recovery well” under pressure. It turns into steam upon reaching the surface, which may be used to drive generators to produce electricity, or passed through a heat exchanger to heat water to warm houses.

This is a preview of the whole essay

In 1940s, the National Energy Authority was started by the government in order to increase the knowledge of geothermal resources and the utilization of geothermal power in Iceland. This agency has been very successful and has made it economically viable to use geothermal energy as a source for heating in many different areas throughout the country. The government no longer has to lead research in this field as geothermal power has been so successful & has been taken over by the geothermal industries.

Iceland government also thinks there are more untapped sources of geothermal energy; after tapping them to their full extent, it is estimated that Iceland would get another 50 TWh of energy per year – all renewable.

Location factors considered

• Economy of the area  – Blue Lagoon, a tourist bathing resort/ geothermal spa which is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. Money earned from tourism thus makes the area richer & more economically sustainable than it previously was.
• Needs of people  – Nesjavellir Geothermal power station was built to satisfy the hot water demands of people in settlements nearby. All geothermal power stations were built to help
• Near a heat source from the Earth – can be near volcanoes/ reservoir, where injection wells built can first inject cool water into hot basement rock near magma, and the water is heated up and then extracted out again by doublet wells.
• Low operational & maintenance costs, thus the power plant company can make more profits from providing electricity from geothermal power.
• Renewable source of energy, can replace coal, oil and natural gas which are running out fast. Geothermal energy is environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel plants, as they only produce a small amount of carbon monoxide.
• Can be a tourist attraction, e.g. Bjarnarflag Geothermal Station has many tourist services nearby. Svartsengi Power Station supports Blue Lagoon, a geothermal hot spring. This could bring in more money for the region, making it more economically sustainable as tourists also go mountain climbing & skiing nearby.
• Require high investments in machinery. Hellisheidi Power Station decided last October that a number of turbines will be added, along with 90MW – these amounts to $197 million. Construction of a plant & well drilling costs ~  €2-5 million per generated MW of electricity.
• If not done with adequate care enhanced geothermal systems can trigger earthquakes, thus severely affecting land stability & putting nearby areas at risk – potential threat to settlements.
• Before access to potentially huge amounts of energy, the success rate for discovering geothermal resources in new untapped areas is ~20%. In areas near wells already producing, it is 80%.

Document Details

• Word Count 653
• Page Count 1
• Subject Geography

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Attitudes to Renewables

Why renewables.

It is estimated that from 2013 to 2035 the global demand for energy will increase by 37%, driven mainly by population growth and rising living standards in emerging economies.

While technological solutions to increasing energy supply are possible, if fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix, the consequence will be catastrophic climate change.

Different stakeholders have contrasting views on what our “energy future” holds, ranging from “business as usual” approach to more “sustainable” approaches.

Environmental Concerns

Greater research and awareness of the impact of fossil fuels are having on the world’s environments, particularly on climate change, has led to world wide demand for a rapid shift to sustainable energyproduction and use.

Improving people’s awareness of the need for more organisations energy is an important goal for international sustainable like the UN, governments and organisations like energy (infinity propped up). Schools and young people have a key role in preparing for a more sustainable energy future.

Rising Affluence

Although rising incomes increase energy demand, they can also encourage alternative sources because more people support the investment needed for clean and sustainable energy.

Who’s Responsible

Individuals:.

• Domestic heating contributes 15% to the individual carbon footprint. Heat lost through walls, windows and roofs, so improved insulation in the loft and walls reduces energy consumption.
• Powering homes contributed 12%. Electricity for most homes comes from fossil fuel power stations. Individuals can reduce their carbon footprints by turning off appliances not in use, or even installing solar panels on their roofs.
• Private transport contributes 10%. Individuals can reduce their car use by using public transport, walking or riding a bike, or car-sharing with others.

Organisations:

• In recent years large organisations have applied a different approach to their business operations by adopting sustainable practices e.g. McDonald’s and Google.
• However, because energy from fossil fuels is often cheaper than renewable energy, many other organisations are not inclined to add extra costs by using renewables.
• Many environmental organisations want change to be much more significant. For example NGOs like Greenpeace have strong views on energy futures, arguing for a more sustainable approach to our extraction and consumption of resources.

Governments:

In December 2015, the UK was one of the 195 nations at the United Nations climate change summit in Paris that pledged to limit the global temperature increase to below 2ºC.

For the UK this involves:

• Setting Carbon Budgets to limit the amount of Greenhouse gases the UK is allowed to emit.
• Investing in low-carbon energy technologies and boosting the share of renewables in the UK’s energy mix so that, by 2050, the UK produces 80% less carbon than it did in 1990.
• Helping to reduce the demand for energy with smart meters and other energy-efficient measures for industry, businesses and individuals.
• Public reporting of carbon emissions to allow people to assess their impact on climate change.

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GCSE Geography | Case Study: Nepal Micro-hydro Plants (Resource Management - Energy 7)

Last updated 18 Oct 2024

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Nepal, in the Himalayas in Asia, is a low-income country with a population of 30.2 million. It has a relatively low demand for energy as most people live a traditional existence, however in recent years the country has seen economic growth and people are seeking a better quality of life. Wood is the biggest source of fuel which has led to significant deforestation as people cut down trees to use for heating and cooking, which they supplement with plants and animal manure.

The Nepalese government want to increase energy security in the country and ensure access for the whole population but this is challenging as it has no fossil fuel reserves, and the fact it is mountainous and landlocked makes it difficult to import energy sources. Currently there are some parts of the country with access to electricity, through a limited electric grid. However, this is extremely unreliable and suffers frequent blackouts that often last half the day.

Micro-hydro power

In the 1960s the World Bank helped Nepal to install micro-hydro plants to use in farming - these plants used turbines instead of diesel engines, and fuelled paddy mills that processed to rice to be sold in the market. The plants were funded by small loans from the Agricultural Bank of Nepal. In the 1980s many of these paddy mills were fitted with a small dynamo to generate electricity to power a few nearby houses. In 2000, the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre was formed to look after micro-hydropower in Nepal and defines micro-hydro power as those plants that generate 10-100 kW of power.

More than 1,000 micro-hydro plants have been built across Nepal. These micro-hydro plants are mainly off-grid isolated plants serving local villages, where they are set up and run by local communities, using basic technology and locally built turbines. They are seen as sustainable and have increased the energy supply locally, increasing energy availability for agriculture, industry, retail and homes. Darbang is a tiny isolated village, north-west of the capital of Kathmandu, and is one of five villages receiving energy from the 51 kW Ruma Khola plant (built in 2009). As a result of the micro-hydro plant several new industries have opened up in Darbang, including a noodle factory, furniture workshops, and some commercial farms. These have created many job opportunities and have boosted the local economy. In addition, the plant supplies electricity to 700 households in the region.

These sustainable small-scale schemes are providing clean renewable energy to rural communities across Nepal. They are very simple 'run-of-the-river' schemes that divert water from streams or rivers, rather than using dams and reservoirs. This has two main benefits - the lack of dams and reservoirs means that these systems are a cheap way to generate power, and they don't cause widespread social and environmental impacts like large hydroelectric (HEP) schemes do.

The diverted water then goes into a tank where the water settles, so damaging sediment can be removed before it is piped to a turbine, which then drives a generator, providing electricity to local communities.

Sustainable energy generation

The Nepal micro-hydro plants are an example of a sustainable strategy to increase energy supply. Sustainable solutions have the following features in common...

Small scale - sustainable solutions to increasing energy supply are usually small-scale - they improve the quality of life for individual communities, rather than whole regions or countries. They are easy to manage and relatively cheap.

Appropriate technology - these are small projects using basic machinery that are cheap and easy to maintain. This is better than using complex machinery that require specialist skills to operate and maintain.

Community management - sustainable energy projects need to be managed by the local community, rather than relying on other people - for example, local people build and maintain them, so it they breakdown they know how to carry out repairs.

Local decision making - local people decide what they need to improve their energy supply, where they will build their project, how big it is, etc - this is an important part of sustainable solutions - it’s not just telling the people involved what they need - therefore there is more by-in and projects are likely to be more effective.

Non-governmental organisation - NGOs have no government funding and rely on donations, and work across LICs and NEEs to improve access to safe and reliable energy supplies. NGOs are important here as they give local communities the support and skills they need to get their sustainable projects up and running.

• Micro-hydro schemes
• Renewable Energy
• Energy security
• Energy sustainability
• Alternative energy

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