Rural electrification enjoys high priority on Indonesia's development agenda. In remote villages located beyond the reach of national electricity grids, mini hydropower offers an environmentally friendly alternative to decentralized electricity generation. Technical assistance programs have successfully introduced mini hydro technology in developing countries but have often failed to attain sustainable plant operation. This book provides insight into the multifaceted conditions under which village communities are struggling to keep systems running. A new approach linking productive electricity use and mini hydro operation is developed which incorporates experiences of market-oriented approaches in small enterprise development. Village communities are no longer left alone after the commissioning of the plants but are continuously provided need-oriented services. The study is exceptional in that the approach is experimentally applied in an actual project involving a village-owned coffee roastery. It is shown that the new approach not only contributes to a sustainable electricity supply but also to village development.

For many years, hydropower played an essential role in the development of humanity and has a long and successful track record. It is a conventional renewable energy source for generating electricity in small- and large-scale production. Due to its important utilization and future prospects, various interesting topics of research related to hydroelectric power generation are covered in this book. This book is the result of significant contributions from several researchers and experts worldwide. It is hoped that the book will become a useful source of information and basis for extended research for researchers, academics, policy makers, and practitioners in the area of renewable hydropower technologies.

Micro-Hydro Design Manual has grown from Intermediate Technology's field experiences with micro-hydro installations and covers operation and maintenance, commissioning, electrical power, induction generators, electronic controllers, management, and energy surveys.There is an increasing need in many countries for power supplies to rural areas, partly to support industries, and partly to provide illumination at night. Government authorities are faced with the very high costs of extending electricity grids. Often micro-hydro provides an economic alternative to the grid. This is because independentmicro-hydro schemes save on the cost of grid transmission lines, and because grid extension schemes often have very expensive equipment and staff costs. In contrast, micro-hydro schemes can be designed and built by local staff andsmaller organizations following less strict regulations and using 'off-the-shelf' components or locally made machinery.

Climate change concerns have brought a renewed focus on increased hydropower production as a potential replacement for electricity from fossil fuels. Hydropower currently accounts for about 6 per cent of the electricity produced in the United States, and the generation of electricity from hydropower produces essentially no emissions of carbon. However, since most of the larger, more traditional hydroelectric resources have already been developed, a clean energy rationale for development of small and low-head hydropower resources may now exist. This book examines small hydro and low-head hydro technologies and the forward thinking regulations that encourage the development of these resources in cost-effective, environmentally friendly ways which recognise that such facilities, once built, can last for at least 50 years.

Electricity transmission and distribution systems carry electricity from suppliers to demand sites. During transmission materials ageing and performance issues can lead to losses amounting to about 10% of the total generated electricity. Advanced grid technologies are therefore in development to sustain higher network efficiency, while also maintaining power quality and security.Electricity transmission, distribution and storage systems presents a comprehensive review of the materials, architecture and performance of electricity transmission and distribution networks, and the application and integration of electricity storage systems.The first part of the book reviews the fundamental issues facing electricity networks, with chapters discussing Transmission and Distribution (T&D) infrastructure, reliability and engineering, regulation and planning, the protection of T&D networks and the integration of distributed energy resources to the grid. Chapters in part two review the development of transmission and distribution system, with advanced concepts such as FACTS and HVDC, as well as advanced materials such as superconducting material and network components. This coverage is extended in the final section with chapters reviewing materials and applications of electricity storage systems for use in networks, for renewable and distributed generation plant, and in buildings and vehicles, such as batteries and other advanced electricity storage devices.With its distinguished editor, Electricity transmission, distribution and storage systems is an essential reference for materials and electrical engineers, energy consultants, T&D systems designers and technology manufacturers involved in advanced transmission and distribution. - Presents a comprehensive review of the materials, architecture and performance of electricity transmission and distribution networks - Examines the application and integration of electricity storage systems - Reviews the fundamental issues facing electricity networks and examines the development of transmission and distribution systems

A detailed survey of the main areas of bio-energy and biomass, solar energy and hydro, wind and water power. The authors address the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energies, their appropriateness, and their socio-economic implications.