The workshop in Arusha explored the East African/Tanzanian environment for village energy, local case studies, challenges and opportunities, with a view to formulating policy recommendations for policymakers, funders, NGOs and other stakeholders the region. An important part of the workshop, and indeed the whole Smart Villages initiative work programme, was to gather evidence from existing projects that have provided or facilitated sustainable off-grid energy solutions in the developing world.The workshop gathered more than 50 experts, including policymakers, NGOs, off-grid energy entrepreneurs and others to look for solutions to providing energy to villages off the grid.

1. Off-Grid Renewable Energy Systems
A. Zaidee Laidin FASc 1

2. Mission
"looking at possible technologies and approaches for
off-grid generation over the next 5 to 10 years.
... a brief presentation on current and emerging
technologies that might be suitable for developing
world applications."
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3. Contents
1. Micro and Mini Hydros
2. Public Policy
3. SEDA -Malaysia's Initiative on RE
4. Tanzanian Example
5. Hydro/Wind Hybrid
6. Rimbunan Kaseh- One Integrated Approach
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4. 1. Mini and Micro Hydro Malaysia's Experience & Hopes
• Overall, the renewable energy (RE) industry has potential to generate RM70 billion in
revenue for the country by 2020
• RE sector is expected to create a host of spin-off benefits, including the creation of 52,000
jobs for the economy . Malaysia had successfully benefited from the renewable resources
for electricity generation, small-hydro has yet to be fully exploited.
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• With hilly topography running almost the entire
length and width of the country, and abundant
number of streams flowing to foothills, Malaysia
has a lot of small-hydro potential.
• To date Malaysia had utilized this potential
mainly in the range of large and mini
hydropower but very few in the micro hydro
range. In Malaysia, a total of 149 sites with
estimated micro hydro potential of 28.9MW
were identified.
• suitable small-hydro projects would be those
based on the run-off-the-river schemes of sizes
of up to 10 MW to 30 MW in capacity.

5. 1. Simplified Concept
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6. 1. Micro Hydro in Sabah (Bario Asal)
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7. 2. Oil Price over a 10-year Period
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8. 2. Renewable Energy Policy
• The level of incentives should be specific
to a technology and should be based on
the degree of technology maturity to
avoid technology lock-out and minimize
costs in the long run.
• Overall impacts on energy system (e.g.
grid stability and reliability) should be
evaluated with increasing shares of
renewable in the energy mix.
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Principles critical for renewable energy policy effectiveness include:
• Financial incentives are not enough, if other barriers such as administrative hurdles, obstacles
to grid access, poor electricity market design, lack of information and training, and social
acceptance issues are not removed
• There should be a predictable support framework to attract investments and reduce
investment risks
• Incentives should be transitional and decreasing over time to foster technological innovation
and keep total costs under control

9. 3. SEDA -Public Policy on RE
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An integrated and long-term approach is needed in developing a vision of the
country’s sustainable energy future, which may involve public consultation.

10. 3. SEDA -Public Policy on RE (cont.)
1. Policy should aim to exploit the cheapest renewable energy sources in
the country. In-depth assessments of the renewable energy potential and
the costs /benefits of renewable development should be undertaken.
2. It would be important to develop road maps for renewable energy
development with realistic targets and timelines. Governments and
industry have a role to enhance public awareness of renewable energy
issues.
3. Support for R&D&D projects would also be needed. External costs need
to be reflected in market prices which will rebalance the relative costs of
renewable and conventional energy sources.
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11. 3.SEDA-Public Policy
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12. 3. The Options for Renewable Energy
• Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic energy system
• Biomass production & utilisation (90% of energy consumption is biomass in Tanzania)
• Utilisation of municipal wastes
• Mini & micro hydropower (Rural Energy Agency (REA), Tanzania Electricity Supply
Company (Tanesco) and Water Basin Authorities)
• Geothermal (Tanzania has potential for 650MW at Ngozi)
• Tidal power
• Wind power (50MW of power first phase, 150 MW 2nd phase)
• Sadly, the above involve significant investment
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13. 3. Solar Power and Grid Parity
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14. Yesterday and Tomorrow in Power System

15. 3. Technological Configuration for a Hybrid System
• DC bus line
• DC voltage AC voltage
• AC/DC Converters and chargers
• Charge Controller
• DC Loads
• Battery Inverter AC Loads
• Photovoltaics Wind
• Hydro
• Genset
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16. SEDA-Malaysia's Initiative on RE
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A new national authority on RE – the
Sustainable Energy Development
Authority (SEDA) – will be fully
responsible and serve as a central body
for all national RE and FiT matters. This
statutory body is expected to work
closely with various government
agencies and local authorities towards
the success of RE, and will have to make
available, publicly, the report of annual
RE progress.

17. SEDA-Malaysia's Initiative on RE (cont.)
• The principle adopted in Malaysia is the cost of FiT would be borne using the “polluters
pay concept” which means consumers who are on higher electricity consumption will
contribute more for green energy production to cover their carbon footprints.
• RE, excluding hydropower which is already a major energy source (almost 15% of total
energy output), currently accounts for less than 1% of Malaysia’s electricity
consumption (Peninsular and Sabah). This is to change with the implementation of FiT
under the proposed RE Act, where Malaysia aims to increase RE contribution against its
electricity consumption to a minimum 5% in 2015, 9% by 2020 and 24% by 2050.
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18. 4. Tanzanian Example
Total cost (EUR) 200,000-300,000€
Tanzania hybrid
Tot cost 100,000-500,000€
Tanzania diesel
Location: Tanzania
Application: Village power supply
System configuration PV/Diesel hybrid: 30kVA hybrid inverter; 30kWp solar
generator; 25kVA diesel generator 240kWh battery System configuration
diesel: 25kVA diesel generator
(14% of the population has electricity)
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19. 5. Hydro/Wind Hybrid
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20. • An initiative involving Government (MIGHT), Private sector, New York Academy of
Sciences
• The Rimbunan Kaseh Project:Making Rural Space Sustainable.
• Rimbunan Kaseh was built to serve as an example of how to address rural poverty issues
by promoting environmental sustainability with technology.
• Rimbunan Kaseh is a model community consisting of around 100 affordable homes, high-
tech educational, training and recreational facilities, and an integrated, sustainable farm
designed to provide both food and supplementary income for villagers.
6. Rimbunan Kaseh
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21. 6. Greenhouses for Fruits & Vegetables
• 16 greenhouses
• 8 net houses
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22. 6. Fish Rearing at Rimbunan Kaseh
• Compound lighting is provided by solar PV
cells
• Water for the fish is recycled
• Jade perch, tilapia
• catfish,
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23. 6. Rimbunan Kaseh (cont.)
• The integrated, sustainable farm begins with aquaponics to raise fish with filtered fish
tank wastewater used to irrigate plants to grow fresh produce.
• The plants are grown in IRIS Autopots which has a Smart Valve that automatically
detects soil moisture levels and releases water as required.
• (Finally, worms from the plants composts are feed to free-range chickens.)
The goals of each Rimbunan Kaseh project:
1. Raise standards of living and improve living conditions
2. Supply environmentally-friendly, high-quality housing
3. Promote sustainable living and viable economic activities
4. Provide integrated agriculture to bolster food security
5. Introduce renewable energy and connectivity
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24. 6. Summarizing – Goals of "Smart Village“: Rimbunan Kaseh
The goals of each Rimbunan Kaseh project:
• Raise standards of living and improve living conditions
• Supply environmentally-friendly, high-quality housing
• Promote sustainable living and viable economic activities
• Provide integrated agriculture to bolster food security
• Introduce renewable energy and connectivity
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25. Thank You
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