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Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Based on Global Status Report about renewable energy, there has been a major

upsurge in hydropower development globally. The total installed capacity has grown

by 39% from 2005 to 2015, with an average growth rate of nearly 4% per year.

Hydropower is the leading renewable source for generating electricity since it supplies

71% of all renewable electricity. It generated 16.4% of the world electricity from all

sources (International Hydropower Association, 2016).

Hydropower generation is the way of harnessing energy from falling and

flowing bodies of water, such as waterfalls and agricultural irrigation canals. The free

flowing or falling water energy is converted into useful mechanical power by means of

a water turbine. By using an alternator or a generator the mechanical power from the

turbine can be converted into electricity. Hydro power plant scheme are classified as

pico, micro, mini, small and large having power generation capacity of less 5 kilowatts

(kW), 100kW, 1000kW, 6000kW and 36 megawatts respectively (Energy Efficiency

and Renewable Energy, 2016).

To supply power to a small group of users or communities, pico hydro power

plants is the viable option, where general electricity supply grid is not reachable or

where there is power fluctuations. Generation of electricity through small natural water
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resources like waterfall or stream flow can be used for small purposes at low cost. The

research project utilized the free flowing water on irrigation canal of Barangay Tigwi,

Torrijos for such purpose because irrigation canals located in the rural farming area

have a potential to be used in power generation. The flow of water in the irrigation

channels has a more stable flow compared to the river stream. Discharge water in the

irrigation flow relatively unaffected by changes of season or weather. These conditions

are very suitable for the utilization of electricity generation that demands a continuous

high water supply (Ekaputra et al, 2017).

Statement of the Problem

To optimize the use of water in the Philippines, the National Irrigation

Authority (NIA) supports the national and local government agencies in developing

and constructing hydropower projects in existing and future irrigation projects

throughout the country.

In relation, the researchers conducted a field study in Barangay Tigwi, Torrijos,

Marinduque. The study involves geophysical survey in the source of the irrigation and

data gathering through measuring the head, velocity and the cross-sectional area of the

irrigation canal. With the results and data gathered the researchers will design a

prototype of a turbine suitable for the irrigation system considering the following:

1. Does Malindig Communal Irrigation System (MCIS) have the potential to be a

source of hydropower?
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2. What type of turbine design will be suitable for low head irrigation canal?

3. Considering the design and measured hydraulic parameters, the turbine design is

evaluated to test if it is capable of harnessing the potential of the irrigation system.

Significance of the Study

The study will primarily benefits the local households that are not reached by

rural electrification project at Barangay Tigwi, Torrijos, Marinduque by utilizing the

potential of their irrigation system in generating power for their consumption, aside

from using the water for irrigation purposes only. As a result of generating electricity

from renewable sources, the community will pay a much lower generating charge on

their electric bills compared to diesel power plants.

Utilizing the power harnessed from their irrigation system maximized the

optimum used of water resources in aligned with the NIA's directive. According to the

NIA Administrator General Ricardo Visaya, there will be no conflict with the irrigation

system and the hydropower generating components since the water will just pass thru

the irrigation canal and will not affect the farmers in terms of their crop yields

(National Irrigation Administration, 2017). The research project is also aligned with

Republic Act 9513, also known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008. The purpose of

act is to accelerate the exploration and development of the country’s renewable energy

resources such as, but not limited to, biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and

ocean energy sources including hybrid system to achieve energy self-reliance. This will
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help to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and minimize the country’s

exposure to price fluctuation in the international market (Department of Energy, 2010).

The pico-hydropower turbine generator system like other renewable energy

sources will not contribute harmful emission of greenhouse gasses in to the atmosphere

since it does not used foreign fossil fuels in power generation. Therefore it contributes

in the government perspective to lessen the dependency on expensive non-renewable

fossil fuels.

Scope and Limitations

The researchers focused in conducting an actual visitation and a field research

in Malindig Communal Irrigation System located at Barangay Tigwi, Torrijos,

Marinduque to measure the cross-sectional area, velocity, flow rate and the head of the

irrigation canal. Measuring the flow rate and the velocity were done for two

consecutive months, March and April 2018.

In addition, the researchers developed a turbine design that sought in the

irrigation system. The development and fabrication of the turbine were done for 3

months, from the month of August 2018 up to October 2018. After prototype was

finished, the researchers conducted an evaluation of the turbine generator system.