Selection and Appraisal Framework for Power Source of Pumping System for Small Holders

Abstract

Renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, offers important opportunities for remote communities to provide power supply, improve local energy security and living conditions. The rising price of fossil fuels in recent years and concerns about the environmental consequences of Carbon dioxide emissions have resulted in emerging interest in the development of renewable energy applications especially for prime mover for smallholder pumping system. The objective of this study is to develop a pump prime mover selection produce in computer format. The selection procedure implies determination of irrigation requirement based on combining climate inputs, hydrology, crop type and developing stage, soil type, moisture and irrigation method etc. at each time stage of irrigation. The procedure for selection of the suitable pump power type includes: power efficiency water application efficiency, average annual capital cost, max system capacity, cost hp/hrs, output hp/hrs, annual cost / feddans, and unit water costs. The study confirms to use the developed pump type selection model on basis of its statistical validation by test of the data reported by World Bank. Using input data of Alosaylat Farm application of the multi-criteria analysis of the selection model resulted in ranking the different types of pumps in descending order of: electric, wind, diesel and solar. Sensitivity analysis is undertaken for three different outputs (hydraulic power requirement, total annual cost and power efficiency) by changing four inputs (head, speed, pipe diameter, and discharge) at positive and negative increments of ±10%, 20% and ±30% for each one of the studied pumps. The thesis ended with conclusions drawn from the inferences of analysis of collected data and recommendations for both policy making and future studies.