Hybrid Micro-Hydro Power Generation Development in Endau Rompin National Park Johor, Malaysia

Micro-Hydro electrical power systems are very useful for remote area electrification which does not had supply from the national grid. On the contrary, this area has river streams with high potential for micro-hydro power generation. As such, the UTHM ECO-Hydro Team embarked on a project for erecting a micro-hydro power plant with collaboration with National Education Research Center (NERC), Johor National Park Corporation in Endau Rompin. The existing power generation in this area at present is by using diesel generator gives negative impact on finance and environment in the long run. It supplies power to several including library, offices, open laboratory, chalets and dorms.. At the moment, the micro-hydro system complements the diesel generator, thus becoming a hybrid power generation system.

Endau Rompin lies at the headwaters of Endau River astride the Johor-Pahang border.It covers an area of 870 square km, about one and a half times the size of Singapore Island.It includes parts of the Labis and Endau-Mas forest reserves in Johor and the Lesong Forest reserve in Pahang.
The area contains a unique assemblage of lowland and hill rain forest with pristine rivers and varied wildlife.Besides possessing its own plants found nowhere else in the world, it is also home to the largest population of those highly endangered animals (e.g.Sumatran rhinoceros).This makes the area an important part of Malaysia's natural heritage that is badly in need of conservation.
The Nature Education and Research Centre (NERC), Endau Rompin became a reality with the collaboration and support of the Johor government, the Danish Corporation Environment and Development (DANCED) and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).Funding for the project was provided by DANCED while MNS is the consultant for the implementation of the NERC on behalf of Johor National Park Corporation (PTNJ) [1].This centre is being developed as a focal point for nature education and research centre for visitors from all over the world.

Micro-Hydro
Flowing and falling water have potential energy.Hydropower comes from converting energy in flowing water by means of a water wheel or through a turbine into useful mechanical power.This power is converted into electricity using an electric generator or is used directly to run milling machines.Small-scale hydropower systems, however, are receiving a great deal of public interest as a promising, renewable source of electrical power for homes, parks and remote communities [4].
A hydro power is generally categorized by six (6) types.The systems are classified as large, medium, small, mini, micro and pico according to their installed power generation capacity.The electrical power is measured in watts (W).General classification of hydro power pants were given in Table 1.From few hundred watts up to 5 kW.
In this project, the maximum electrical power output was calculated to be 15 kW, hence it was categorized as a Micro-Hydro system with reference to Table 1.This system is ideal for power generation for small community in remote areas and away from the grid.

Planning
This multidiscipline project was funded by UTHM Contract Research Grants (C036), which combines researchers from three areas of expertise namely civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.On the other hand, this group was also supported by ecologists to study the water quality of Semawak River.Being located in a remote area with the hilly terrain, this project poses a special kind of challenge to the researcher's to develop and install the micro-hydro system with minimal environmental impact.
The development of micro hydro system in NERC began in June 2012 and fully operational in 18 October 2014.Early planning between the researchers and the Johor National Park Corporation was implemented carefully and periodical meetings were conducted to ensure the success of this project.Table 2 presents the timeline of activities that has been implemented.
Table 2. Timeline activities to completing the micro hydro system [6].
June -Dis.2012 Micro hydro fieldwork data acquisition for civil, mechanical, electrical and ecology (phase 1).

Design
This system design takes into account its hilly landscape and plants.Any tree felling should be minimized and must get permission from the authorities.Clearing pipelines routes was done manually without using any heavy machinery that can damage flora or disturb wildlife in the area.The selected forebay has a gross area of 65 meter head with 720 meter downstream distance to the turbine house.
The average flow rate presumably was calculated at 45l/s.Catchment area is 6.8 meter x 5.5 meter x 1 meter.According to the head and flow rate measurement, this micro hydro plant can produce a maximum of 15 kW using Pelton turbine.In areas with adequate water resources, micro hydro power station is the best option compared with other renewable sources, especially in terms of costing [7].

Civil Design
The system design as shown in Figure 6.The piping size is 10" and the material is UPVC which can handle pressure up to 10 bar.There are three (3) valves installed, each in forebay area, cross road area and turbine house area.Carbon steel elbow is used as a support for pipes installed every 5 to 10 meters to further strengthen the position of the piping.
Discharge water from the turbine house are channeled into two storage tanks (holding tanks), so it can be used for daily needs.Next the water flows into the existing ecological pond in NERC where there were several species of small fish inside.Finally, after the pond was filled, the water directed into a river that is located downstream near the NERC jetty.The challenge during pipe laying is the bend and steep area as it is in the dangerous condition that can cause a person to slip and fall down.

Electrical Design
The electrical system diagram as shown Figure 9.The panelboard had displays such Voltmeter with a selector switch to read the voltage between phases and the line voltage, Ammeter on each phase to measure current, digital frequency meter and digital power meter.The system also being installed with short circuit, over current and earth leakage protective devices.The system composed of micro hydro generator, manual changeover switch, storage battery and inverter.The outline of the basic design of the principal equipment and operating system is detailed as following:

Micro Hydro Generator
The maximum output power is 15 kW (3 phase), with a voltage of 400/230 volt, 50 Hz frequency and turbine speed is 1500 rpm.The speed of the rotating turbine can be controlled using the intake gate manually depends on the loads current required.

Manual Changeover Switch
A manual changeover switch prevents the diesel generator power and the micro hydro power from powering the loads circuit at the same time.It is permanently installed in front of the panel board and operated by onsite personnel.In this project, the chalet loads (chalet 1, 2, 3 & 4) is shared by both supply source.At the time when micro hydro does not work, then the diesel generator become a backup supply, and vice versa.

Inverter
The inverter output power is 8 kW, with incoming voltage 240 volt and charging the storage battery at 48 volt.At the time when the battery is fully charged, the inverter will automatically stop.

Storage Battery
There is four (4) units of battery (12 volt) installed in series to create a total 48 volt with 120 aH each.The storage capacity was determined to be 5.76 kW.The battery life percentage are shown on the inverter display.

Loads Installation
Electrical energy from the micro hydro power plant was distributed to three loads (Load A, Load B and Load C). 'Load A' using red phase, is the existing loads which sharing power from diesel generator by using manual changeover switch.It supplies power to Chalet 1, Chalet 2, Chalet 3 and Chalet 4.
For 'Load B' (yellow phase), were used to supply power to UTHM open lab, corridor and toilets.Cable sizing is 2 x 6mm PVC with armored protection and being laid using underground method.The distance between the turbine house panel board to 'Load B' distribution board (DB) is about 55 meters long.
For 'Load C' (blue phase), was supplying power to UTHM kitchen, UTHM laboratory and UTHM dorm.Cable sizing is 2 x 10mm PVC with armored protection, also being laid underground.The distance between the turbine house panel board to 'Load C' distribution board (DB) is about 250 meters long.Total energy distribution for this system is provided in Table 3.

Conclusion
With the success of planning, designing, development and installation of the micro-hydro system the ECO Hydro Team plans to distribute the power supply to other blocks such library, NERC office and another two (2) dorm, as well as a few additional points on the existing loads.The team aims to fully utilize the energy consumption of micro-hydro.The main objective of the development project was achieved as following i.Improvement in terms of operating time from 12 hours to 24 hours of electricity for domestic use in the NERC.ii.
Improvement of the quality for the ecosystems, environment and surrounding wildlife, including air quality in Endau Rompin National Park (air, water quality and noise level being studied and from time to time the study will continue to be pursued.-This result will be discuss in related papers).iii.
Savings in terms of operating cost, time and maintenance costs compared to diesel operating generator.
Therefore it can be concluded that the use of micro hydroelectric system was timely in the environmental conservation in which it is also upgrading the system in the Endau Rompin National Park.