MODULE A: ORIENTATION TO COMMUNITY-SCALE HYDROPOWER

This is the first module of the 6-week E-Learning series Fundamentals of Community-Scale Hydro Mini-Grids, developed in partnership with German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (or DGRV).  

We start with an introduction to decentralized renewable energy (or DRE) solutions, answering the following questions:

• Why decentralized renewable energy (DRE) mini-grids?
• What are the different types of DRE mini-grids?

We then provide an orientation to the small-scale hydro context, including answers to:

• What are the key advantages of hydro mini-grids?
• What are the different types of hydro mini-grids, and who is involved?
• What are the key steps and roles to developing a hydro mini-grid?

We also provide an overview of the factors for sustainability of hydro mini-grids, including:

• How many hydro mini-grids have been implemented and where?
• Based on regional hindsight, what aspects should be considered to ensure their long-term sustainability of hydro mini-grids?
• What are the key differences between hydro mini-grids that are long sustained and those that fail soon after implementation?
• What are best practices for long-term sustainability and optimal benefits?