Microhydro Power in West Papua: A Comprehensive Assessment as a Potential Replacement for Diesel Generators

Abstract

Fossil fuel-based sources of energy in both transition and developed countries are still the main primary contributors to the environmental carbon footprint. In Indonesia, West Papua province remains to depend largely on diesel generators as its primary source of electrical energy, rather than renewable energy sources. This situation occurs due to multiple socio-techno-economic factors, e.g. limited research for renewable energy potential, lack of public understanding of renewable energy benefits, and a shortage of national commitment. In this article, a thorough analysis of micro hydropower potential to electrify a typical development area in West Papua is provided in order to address the above-mentioned research challenges. The study introduces a method for determining the potential of micro hydropower in West Papua based on evapotranspiration, flow duration curve, and plant capacity factor. In this sense, Penman and F.J Mock approaches are proposed in order to calculate the evapotranspiration value and to calculate the discharge quantity respectively. In addition, a reliable discharge analysis will be conducted, which requires temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, and wind speed data. Thirty rivers in that area have the potential capacity to be used as micro-hydro generator facilities. Based on monthly data from 2012 to 2021, a micro-hydro power potential of 4,769.97 kW with an estimated annual energy production of 13,956.09 MWh to serve a demand of 25,087.02 kWh/year is calculated. Hydropower energy can save around 7,815.4 million CERs. Local governments can construct micro-hydro power plants in distant locations to replace diesel power plants, or build a hybrid system to improve service quality.