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BLP Windmill Sustainable Pump Irrigation System and Hybrid Solar Electricity System

Typical Set-up of the Hybrid Energy System and Sustainable Pump Irrigation.

Municipalities Allen Biri Bobon Capul Catarman Catubig Gamay Laoang Lapinig Las Navas Lavezares Lope de Vega Mapanas Mondragon Palapag Pambujan Rosario San Antonio San Isidro San Jose San Roque San Vicente Silvino Lobos Victoria Grand Total

Rice Areas (hectares) Irrigated 236 40 136 97 73 22 11 278 156 99 22 10 51 69 300 116 106 1822 Rainfed 138 137 1558 235 2926 5480 731 4833 310 4708 805 12 21 2029 2101 1675 112 112 84 780 1001 22 172 29982 Upland 70 4 8 82 Total 374 137 1598 371 3023 5553 753 4844 310 4708 1083 12 247 2128 2123 1689 163 112 153 1080 1125 22 278 31886

Table 1. Rice areas per municipality in the Province of Northern Samar as reported by the Provincial Agriculture Office in Catarman, Northern Samar. The data shows that a very large portion yet of the agricultural area in the province is still at the mercy of rainfall. This means that most of the farms in the area still practice one (1) cropping per year and that is only during the rainy season. This means that farming areas in Northern Samar are still underutilized because in other regions of the country farmers already practice three (3) cropping per year or five (5) cropping in two years as a result of having functional irrigation facilities. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has already built a number of water impounding projects in the province. Presently, there is a billion peso water impounding project that is under construction for the rice production

areas in Catubig and Las Navas, Northern Samar. However, the construction of an impounding project is not always feasible because this requires an enclosed low-lying area called reservoir, where water should be stored and a watershed that will collect the rainfall to be stored in the reservoir. The reservoir should be located above the service are (area to be irrigated) to allow gravity flow of water to said service area. There are a lot of agricultural area which do not have these physical requirements needed in order to build a water impounding project. Recently, the Department of Agriculture (DA) introduced the so-called Shallow Tube Well (STW) technology. The STW is a well that penetrates the shallow unconfined aquifer, the geologic formation that extends as deep as 20 meters (65 ft) below the ground. Ground water inside the well is lifted up to the ground surface using a pump that is run by either an internal combustion engine or a motor. As early as 1982, the National Water resources Council, now National Water Resources Board, has already produced a Groundwater Map for the Province of Northern Samar (Figure 1) through its project entitled Rapid Assessment of Water Supply Sources in the Philippines.

Figure 1. Ground water map of Northern Samar, Philippines produced by the National Water Resources Board (1982). The DA technology benefited the farmers for awhile, but sooner problems started to crop up especially when the engine started to breakdown. The farmers do not have appropriate training on the repairs and maintenance of engines. The constantly escalating fuel prices further increased the cost of production, leaving very little income to the farmers. Some farmers wanted to shift to the motor as their pump's prime mover instead of the engine, but to no avail. Their STWs are very, very far from the existing electrical lines in their area. Moreover, a vast hectare of crop production areas in Northern Samar, in particular, and the whole country, in general, are still without the much needed irrigation facilities because the Philippine Government lacks funds for this purpose. During these times when fuel prices increase almost every week, the use of non-conventional energy, such a wind and solar energy, is becoming popular. The Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation (1976) revealed that the direct conversion of the visible part of the solar spectrum sunlight to electricity is perhaps the neatest and most

aesthetically pleasing of all scheme for the exploitation of solar energy. They claimed that direct photovoltaic conversion can be achieved with basically simple devices that involve no moving parts, no additional sources of energy, and little, if any maintenance. They explained that the photovoltaic devices, which have become known as solar cells, are based on the properties of certain crystalline solids that enable these materials to supply an electric current capable of performing useful work when the material is exposed to sunlight. The very properties that make solar cells attractive for use in developing countries area simplicity, low weight, efficiency, reliability and lack of moving parts. As to wind energy, the Ad Hoc Panel of the Advisory Committee on Technology Innovation (1976) reported that wind was one of the earliest sources of power used to multiply the productive capacity of human beings. They revealed that on land I has served a variety of purposes which include:

Pumping fresh water for domestic livestock and agricultural needs; Irrigating fields; Powering agricultural tasks, such as grinding corn, wheat and sugarcane and threshing, chaff cutting and winnowing; Cutting wood; Pumping saline water in saltworks; and Generating electricity for a variety of purposes.

They confirmed that a variety of windmills is currently available, either commercially or in the form of working prototypes that could be easily manufactured as a market develops. A number of windmill designs are available that villagers themselves can construct, often utilizing locally available materials, they added. The Philippines is now, little by little, embracing these power sources. In Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, a solar-powered electric company is already operational. In the Ilocos Region, especially in its coastal areas, people have resorted to the use of windmills to generate electrical power for household use. These systems are very much environment friendly, through their initial investment cost is quite high. Just like in the different parts of the Philippine archipelago, Northern Samar is endowed with good amount of solar and wind energy but not sustained throughout the year. In this province, solar energy is abundant during the dry season, whereas wind energy dominates during the rainy season during which significant number of storms, inter-tropical convergence zone and typhoons occur. Figures 2 and 3 show the monthly average wind speed

(m/sec) and sunshine duration (hours) observed at the UEP-PCARRD-DOSTPAGASA Agro-meteorological station in Catarman, Northern Samar, the capital town of Northern Samar, which is located almost midway of the distance between the eastern and western top of the province. The figures clearly indicated that neither wind run nor solar radiation alone will provide a sustainable supply of energy for a year-round pumping of irrigation water in this part of the country. However, a conjunctive use of solar and wind energy could possibly provide a constant supply of energy for said purpose. A Hybrid Energy System consisting of solar cells and a windmill, is being proposed as the energy supplier to water pumping units to be installed in Northern Samar. In view of these circumstances, the Bagong Lahing Pilipino, Inc., Northern Samar Chapter, would like to propose a project called Installation of Irrigation Pumping Units in Northern Samar Powered by a Hybrid Energy System in order to help the poor farmers of Northern Samar in their crop production activities, especially for lowland rice farming.

Figure 2. Average estimated wind speed (km/h) at 10 meters high above the ground service at the UEP-PCARRD-DOST Agrometeorological Station.

Figure 3. Average sunshine duration (min) measured by a sunshiine recorder at the UEP-PCARRD-DOST Agrometeorological Station. PROJECT OBJECTIVES This project entitled Sustainable Pump Irrigation System Development Project (SPISDP) generally aims to provide irrigation pumps, operated by a combination of solar and wind power, to the poor farmers of Northern Samar in order to increase cropping intensity in their respective farms to at least 200% (2 cropping per year). Specifically, this project will: 1. Improve the productivity of the rice farms in Northern Samar, especially those owned and/or tilled by very poor farmers. 2. Provide crop insurance against short duration droughts that may happen form time to time in Northern Samar, may reduce crop yields and eventually farmers' income. 3. Assist the Philippine Government in implementing its food security programs in Northern Samar, in particular and the whole country, in general. 4. Boost the morale and empower poor farmers. 5. Encourage the unemployed workforce of the country to embrace farming as their occupation and source of livelihood. 6. To generate employment opportunities for the BLPDFI members in Northern Samar, especially for their sons and daughters who are already professionals. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project is a socio-economic enhancement project for the lower income group of the Philippines population, but unsung heroes of the society, the farmers. Basically, the project includes the following: (1) design and fabrication of a hybrid energy system, (2) drilling and development of water wells, (3) installation of water pumping units, (4) establishment of a Project Management Center (PMC), (5) training of farmer-beneficiaries in the operation and maintenance of the pump and the hybrid energy system and (6) the conduct of research studies to sustain the economic life and efficiency of the pumping units. To realize the different components of the project, a Project Development Center (PDC), shown in Figure 4, will be established in a hectare (50m x 50m) area that will contain a 225 m (15m x 15m) project management office, a 150 m (10m x 15m) training hall, a 150 m (10m x 15m) supply room, a 525 m (15m x 35m) shop and a 225 m (15m x 15m) garage. The center should have a 10 kVA electric generators as its emergency power supply and a water system that will be run by the hybrid power system. The center will be enclosed by a steel fence on a concrete base. The project management office will be responsible for the success of the project. Activities will be conducted from time to time at the training hall. The supplies, both office and hardware, will be kept in the supply room for easier accounting. The shop will be responsible for the fabrication of the metallic parts of the hybrid energy system, especially those that requires greater accuracy. Of course, the vehicles of the project will be kept during nighttime at the garage. The hybrid energy system is a combination of the wind and solar energy systems. The wind energy consists of a windmill, governor assembly, transmission assembly, handbrake and tower. The solar energy system consists of several solar panels, storage batteries, power-conditioning equipment and accessories. The pumping unit that will be installed in farmers' fields will consist of a centrifugal pump, electric motor, GI pipes and well casing. Of course, before the installation of the unit, well drilling and development will be undertaken. Figure 5 shows a typical set-up of the hybrid energy system.

Figure 4. The Project Management Center of the BLP Northern Samar Chapter. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION This project will be formally implemented starting January 2006, although pre-implementation activities, such as establishment of the Project Development Center, purchase of equipment and vehicle, identification of farmer-beneficiaries and other activities will start by August 2005. The actual project implementation will last for ten (10) years (CY 20062015) as shown in the table below. By December 2015, it is expected that the project should have at least installed 900 pumping Units Powered by the Hybrid Energy System in Northern Samar. Number of Installed 30 70 100 100 100 Pumping Units to be

Year of Implementation 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total

100 100 100 100 100 900

To successfully realize this project, the agencies involved therein shall have the following roles and responsibilities: A. Bagong Lahing Pilipino Development Foundation, Inc., National Chapter (BLPDFI-NC) 1. To review the project proposal submitted by the BLPDFI-NS chapter and suggest revisions if necessary. 2. To approve the project proposal and to release the funds needed for its implementation. 3. To conduct periodic monitoring of the status of the project implementation and undertake annual review of the accomplishments and financial conditions of the project. B. Bagong Lahing Pilipino Development Foundation, Inc., Northern Samar Chapter (BLPDFI-NS) 1. To submit the project proposal to the BLPDFI-NC and make regular follow-ups on the status of said proposal until its final approval and the release of project funds. 2. To receive the project funds released by the BLPDFI-NC and deposit it under BLPDFI-NS chapter in a reputable bank in Catarman, Norther Samar, as agreed upon by all the members of the BLPDFI-NS chapter. 3. To see to it that project funds are really spent for the implementation of the project in Northern Samar and are properly accounted and audited. 4. To undertake the different activities involved in the implementation of the project in collaboration with their technical consultants from the Agricultural Engineers' Development Cooperative. 5. To manage the implementation of the project and operation of the Project Management Center. 6. To hire the needed staff and construction workers of the project in consultation with the technical consultants. 7. To pay for the services rendered to the project by the technical consultants, project staff and construction workers. 8. To submit reports on financial status and project accomplishments to the BLPDFI-NC regularly.

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C. Technical Consultants (AEDC) 1. To prepare a project proposal entitled Sustainable Pump Irrigation System Development Project that is to be submitted by the BLPDFI-NS to the BLPDFI-NC for funding purposes. 2. To extend technical assistance and expertise for the successful implementation of the aforementioned project of the BLPDFI-NS. 3. To supervise on the drilling and development of water wells, fabrication of windmills, assembly of the solar energy system and the installation of the pumping unit and the hybrid energy system in farmers' fields. 4. To train the farmer-beneficiaries on the operation, simple repair and regular maintenance of the pumping unit and the hybrid energy system. 5. To conduct research activities towards improving the efficiency and extending the economic life of the hybrid energy system and its components. PROJECT ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT The regional and provincial leadership of the BLPDFI and the hired employees of the project as shown in the organizational structure of the project manage the SPISDP.

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Organizational Structure A. Project Director He/she is responsible for the overall implementation of the project in the region. He/she oversees the accomplishment of the different components of the project and their final completion at the end of the project duration. He/she is the Regional Director of the BLPDFI-Region VIII. B. Project Manager He/she is responsible for the implementation of the project at the provincial level. He/she supervises the affairs of the Project Development Center. He/she acts as the Chairman of the Screening Committee for the hiring of project staff and recommends the top three applicants to the Board of Directors for final interview and hiring. He/she identifies the farmer-beneficiaries of the project and recommends them to the Board of Directors for final approval. He/she exercises control over the installation of the pumping units and hybrid energy systems in the farms of the farmer-beneficiaries. He is the Provincial Coordinator of the BLPDFINorthern Samar Chapter. C. Project Development Officer He/she manages the operations of the

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Project Development Center as an integral part of the whole project. He/she exercises control over the disbursement of funds by the cashier, the conduct of training activities and the user of vehicles. He submits a monthly report on the operations of the Project Development Center to the Project Manager. D. Field Operations Officer He/she manages the project implementation in the entire project area. He supervises the work of the field foreman and his utility workers. He coordinates with the shop foreman as regards the fabrication of windmills and assembly of the hybrid energy system. He arranges with the center manager for the user of vehicles in the installation activities. He submits a monthly report on the implementation of the project in the area to the Project Director. He is a regular employee of the project. He should be licensed agricultural engineer with at least one (1) year of experience on well drilling and pump installation. E. Research & Extension Specialist He/she is responsible for the research and extension aspects of the project's operation. He is to set up a Provincial Data Bank containing data on the names of the project beneficiaries, actual performance of the irrigation pump and hybrid energy system, crop yields and the gross/net farm income. He/she plans out and facilitates the research and training activities of the center. He coordinates with the project development officer on the use of the training facilities of the center. He is a regular employee of the project. He should be a licensed agricultural engineer with special training on computer operation. F. Cashier & Disbursement Officer He/she is the custodian of the funds of the project. He/she is the only authorized person to withdraw the funds of the project that is deposited in a reputable bank in Catarman, Northern Samar. He/ she is responsible for the proper disbursement of project funds. He/she prepares a payroll and pays the salaries, wages and honoraria of the project staff and consultants. He/she is a regular employee of the project. He/she should be a graduate of any business course. G. Bookkeeper He/she is responsible for the safekeeping and updating of the book of accounts of the project. He/she submits a financial status of the project to the Board of Directors during their monthly meeting. He is a regular employee of the project. He/she should be a graduate of an accounting course. H. Secretary He/she keeps the documents of the project and the project development center. He/she acts as the recording secretary of the center manager, project director, or Board of Directors during meetings. He/she performs clerical jobs for the project development office. He/she should

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know how to operate a computer and how to encode letters and other documents. He/she is a regular employee of the project. He/she should be a graduate of a secretarial course. I. Supply Officer He is the property custodian of the project. He exercises control over the user of materials of the project. He keeps a record of the materials withdrawn from his custody. He is a regular employee of the project. He should be an engineering graduate. J. Field Foreman He manages the installation of the pump and the hybrid energy system in the farmer's field. He is responsible for the proper functioning of the installed machines and equipment. He supervises the job performance of the utility workers under his command. He is a contractual employee of the project. He should be, at least an agricultural or civil engineering graduate. K. Shop Foreman- He manages the shop of the center. He exercised control over the fabrication of the windmill and its appurtenances. He is a regular employee of the project. At least, he should be a graduate of agricultural or mechanical engineering course. L. Driver/Mechanic He is responsible for the operation, repair and maintenance of the center's vehicle. He is a regular employee of the project. He should be at least a high school graduate. M. Utility Worker He undertakes whatever task assigned to him by the officials of the center, especially the project manager, project development officer, field operations officer, the field and shop foremen. A utility worker may be a field utility worker, who is involved in the installation of the pump irrigation system or a shop utility worker, who is involved in the fabrication activities of the shop. He is a contractual employee of the project. ESTIMATED PROJECT COST The establishment and operation of this project in Northern Samar will involve an estimated total financial requirement of PHP 1.4162 billion (US$ 25.75 million). Of this amount, PHP 1.35 billion (95.33%) will be for the pump irrigation system powered with the hybrid energy system. The personnel services amount to PHP 29,858,440 (2.11%) while the maintenance and other operating expenses amount to PHP 15,283,600 (1.08%). The different facility that is needed for the implementation of the project requires the amount of PHP 18,714,500 (1.32%). Only PHP 2,292,541 (0.16%) goes to the contingencies. This distribution of the funds into its different uses in the

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project clearly shows that this project will be a high impact undertaking of the BLPDFI once realized. In the calculation of the fund needed for the implementation of the project, the following assumptions were considered. 1. There will be a 10% increase in the monthly salary of the hired staff of the project every three years. 2. There will be a 5% increase in the monthly honorarium of the BLPDFI officials service the project as well as for the consultants. 3. The shop of the Project Development Center will fabricate the very important parts of the windmill, which needs high accuracy. The other components of the windmill will be fabricated by the local metal craft shops within the town of Catarman under the supervision of the project staff and the consultants. 4. The components of the solar energy system and the pumps will be purchased from Manila. 5. The cost estimates are based on current rates and prices. The estimated budget for the ten (10) year operation of the project, to include the last two (2) quarters of CY 2005 wherein pre-project implementation activities will start, is presented in Table 3. This table also indicates the annual cost of operation of the project which includes personnel services; maintenance and other operating expenses; facilities and equipment and contingencies.

Ang Bagong Lahing Pilipino Development Foundation, Incorporated, 2007