Performance Evaluation of 25 KW Community Microhydro in Seloliman Village East Java

Indonesia has abundance potential of water resource for generating electric power. It was estimated that 19,385 MW power could be harnessed using mini or micro hydropower technology (MHPP). Most of the unelectrified areas of Indonesia was due to the problem associated with large investments of distribution networks to reach those areas and low energy sales. The small-scale hydropower was an effective solution to supply electricity in those areas. Indonesia has built many MHPP, but many suffer from both technical and sustainable issues. Seloliman MHPP in one of the community-based power plant which has been operating since 1994. This research attempt to assess the performance of the plant seen from its capacity factors, power quality, and reliability. The research methods used include site observation, interview with plant’s operators, energy production and sale, and documents reviews. The result showed that energy production of MHPP Seloliman from 2013 till 2017 was 808 MWh with total operating hours of 43,374 or around 161.6 MWh per year. Consequently, it reached an annual average capacity factor of 58% which indicate the power plant was very productive. The power quality of the plant was relatively good with voltage level was stable at 220 V and frequency at 50 Hz. The plant also supplied the consumer with good reliability seen from the total operating hours of the plant and also views of the plant’s operator. Overall, Seloliman MHPP is one good example of microhydro implementation in Indonesia.