Slide 1 • Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

As the passionate proponents of this

Dwight thesis proposal, we proudly present to you our project titled: (read)
Slide 2 It is crucial to address the pressing energy challenges facing the Philippines. With rapid
- population growth and a dwindling energy supply, the need to capitalize on the potential of
Renee renewable energy and integrate it effectively into our grid becomes paramount.
Slide 3 The Philippines has abundant renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass,hydro and geothermal ². Among these sources,
- renee hydropower remains to be the mostcommon form of renewable energy option due to water being the largest moving mass on earth ¹. And
yet, it is under utilized due various technical and sociological factors. The Department of Energy (DOE) has recognized the obstacles that our
country faces in fully embracing Hydro renewable energy. One challenge is the high costs associated with the technology required for utilizing
these forms of energy. These systems rely on innovative approaches, which can be expensive to implement. Additionally, there is a lack of
competitiveness and viability in the market for renewable energy, as these systems still need to prove their financial feasibility and long-term
sustainability. Lastly, there is also the issue of social acceptance, particularly in rural areas, where people may have reservations or concerns
about adopting this energy systems.
Slide 4 In Northern Luzon, which contains the study site, is located in the precipitous mountain range and sparsely populated regions where more
– than 500 villages or 60,000 households are still un-electrified. The DOE has recognized this as a key factor to attain 100% electrification ratio
renee at the barangay level. Barangay-level electrification means that at least some of the households are electrified in the barangay. The DOE has
been tackling electrification by employing
micro hydro energy since 1999 in the Northern Luzon area which is rich in water resources. However, too few villages have been electrified so
far, and those that have experienced chronic problems of frequent malfunctions of the equipment. These are caused by low-quality
equipment and improper operation and maintenance services due to a shortage of human or monetary
resources.
Slide 5 The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippine office implemented a preliminary study for micro-hydropower development for
- non-electrified barangays in Northern Luzon in 2003 followed by a Survey for New Hydro Electric Power Potential Sites in 2017.
Dwight A total of 59 candidate sites for constructing hydroelectric power stations had been identified as shown in table where 52 of which are for
Run-of-river and 7 are reservoir/pondage potential site in the Ilocos Norte alone.
Among the study sites within the Ilocos Region is the Municipality of Solsona which measured having average discharge of 1.21 m3/s for
maximum Output of Run-of-river Type
Slide 6 The Municipality of Solsona encompasses a rural area spanning 90 km2, serving as the starting point for major rivers in Ilocos Norte. It is
- notable for hosting two Diversion Dams, alongside irrigation canals and drainage channels, emphasizing its rich water resources. but these
dwight resources also possess the untapped potential for electricity production through hydropower. The availability of reliable and sustainable
electricity is crucial for the holistic development and well-being of rural communities in the Philippines. Unfortunately, many remote and
isolated areas, including Solsona, still have inadequate access to a stable power supply. This limitation hampers progress, restricts access to
modern amenities, impedes educational opportunities, and stifles economic growth.
Slide 7 The objectives of the feasibility and sustainability analysis of small-scale hydropower systems for rural electrification in Solsona, Ilocos Norte
- are narrowed down to five.
zaireen 1. To identify and assess potential sites for hydropower development in Solsona, Ilocos Norte through a comprehensive site evaluation,
considering factors such as water availability, flow rate, and terrain characteristics. What are the potential sites for hydropower development
in Solsona and how can they be assessed?
- This goal addresses the underlying issue of the identification of the potential sites for hydropower development that opts for long-term use
of hydropower energy while assessing the areas to be investigated.
2. To design a small-scale hydropower system that utilizes the flow of water in existing weirs or open-channel infrastructures in Solsona, Ilocos
Norte. How can a small-scale hydropower system be designed to utilize the flow of water in existing weirs or open-channel infrastructures?
- This objective responds to providing suitable designs for the system considering the varied conditions that the potential sites are subjected
to.
3. To evaluate the performance of the constructed small-scale hydropower system in terms of its electricity generation capacity, reliability,
and efficiency. How can the performance of the constructed system be evaluated and what is its potential for providing electricity to the
community?
- This is to address the issue of the capability of a small-scale hydropower system based on the given variables, making it possible to assess its
performance and determine its potential for providing electricity to the community.
4. To analyze the environmental impact of the proposed hydropower system in Solsona, Ilocos Norte. What is the environmental impact of
the proposed hydropower system?
- This resolves the concern about the environmental impacts associated with the presence of the proposed hydropower system,
encompassing an examination of both the advantages and disadvantages of constructing the system from an environmental perspective.
5. To assess the sustainability of the proposed hydropower system by considering social, economic, and environmental aspects. How
sustainable will the proposed hydropower system be in terms of social, economic, and environmental aspects?
- The information on its potential to be a sustainable energy solution is necessary considering the diverse factors that shape its overall
sustainability.
Slide 8 Addressing Electricity Access Gap. The study focuses on a rural area, Solsona, Ilocos Norte, which lacks reliable access to electricity. By
- exploring the potential of small-scale hydropower systems, the study aims to contribute to bridging the electricity access gap in remote and
zaireen isolated communities. Providing electricity to these areas can improve the quality of life, enhance educational opportunities, and foster
economic development.
Renewable Energy Transition. The study emphasizes the use of hydropower, a renewable energy source, as an alternative to conventional
energy sources such as fossil fuels. By promoting the implementation of small-scale hydropower systems, the study supports the transition to
a sustainable energy future, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
 Utilization of Existing Infrastructure. Solsona, Ilocos Norte, already has weirs and open-channel infrastructures primarily used for irrigation
and residential purposes. By designing small-scale hydropower systems that utilize these existing structures, the study maximizes the use of
available resources, minimizing the need for extensive construction and reducing costs.
Community Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development. The successful implementation of a small-scale hydropower system in Solsona,
Ilocos Norte, can have positive social and economic impacts. Access to reliable electricity can improve livelihoods, support local industries,
and encourage entrepreneurship. Moreover, involvement in the planning, implementation, and management of the hydropower system can
empower the local community and promote self-sufficiency.
Knowledge Generation and Sharing. The study aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on small-scale hydropower systems,
particularly in the context of rural areas in the Philippines. The findings and insights generated from the study can serve as a valuable
reference for future research, policy-making, and project implementation in similar settings, enabling replication and scalability of sustainable
energy solutions.
Slide 9 Read PPT
- AR
Slide small-hydropower systems can be installed in a run-of-river scheme or implemented in existing river infrastructures as a cost-effective source
10 - AR of renewable energy.

Currently, there are 29 hydroelectric plants in the country, with 14 being conventional dams and 15 being run-of-the-river systems.
Slide Read PPT
11 - AR
Slide Excess electricity generated during periods of high solar or wind energy production can be used to pump water into reservoirs, effectively
12 - AR storing the energy for later use.

This stored energy can then be utilized during periods of low solar or wind energy production, ensuring a continuous power supply
(Syahputra, 2019; Azimov, 2022).
Slide The research design for the study shall utilize a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Through qualitative research design,
13 - it will focus on the data collection of actual observations of the matter, such as having a firsthand experience of the site investigations. While
Zairee integrating a quantitative approach will result in data gathering and assessment of hydrological characteristics, environmental impact, and
n economic feasibility of the potential sites.
Employing this research design is appropriate for the study because it will contribute to the cruciality of the outcome and provision of data
and analysis in achieving a holistic understanding of the feasibility and design aspects of small-scale hydropower systems in Solsona, Ilocos
Norte. This approach further contributes to informed decision-making and aims to facilitate the development of sustainable and impactful
solutions for rural electrification in the area.
Slide Read PPT
14 -
renee
Slide processing starts with a topographic analysis that defined the streamlines and determined the required elevation head. Next, the hydrologic
15- analysis provided an estimate of the flow rate passing through each identified potential site. The two primary factors, elevation head, and
renee flow are inputs to compute the potential hydropower at each site. Then, the river profile analysis determined the geomorphic indices of
surface processes associated with channel stability. Lastly, we considered population and land use in the constraint analysis.

Slide Read PPT

16-
renee
Slide The topographic analysis will examine a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) to locate potential sites in the study area. The process is outlined in a
17- model builder to be created in ArcGIS
renee A river profile analysis demarcates locations of tectonic activity in tectonically active landscapes. The study will examine geomorphometric
indices: the knickpoints and the river steepness index (Knickpoints refer to sudden changes or breaks in the slope or elevation of a river
profile. The river steepness index, quantifies the steepness of a river channel. It is calculated based on the relationship between the river's
elevation and its distance from its source)
Land Use and Population Analysis - In the Philippines, renewable energy projects may be allowed within the protected area and located
outside the strict protection zones. In evaluating the population that the potential hydropower systems can serve, the Philippine Census of
Population data will be used.
The population data at the barangay (village) level can be accessed from the Philippine Statistics. The administrative map at the barangay
level will be obtained from a GIS data repository PhilGIS and the maps’ area attribute will be used to compute the population density.
Determining the number of households present in the vicinity of each potential site will also be gathered.
An economic analysis will be performed by evaluating the potential energy recovery and the PayBack Periods (PBPs)
Slide Conclusion
16 -
Dwight