Training Activities

NMHDA, the most active organization to conducts training programmes for micro hydropower development

Nepal Micro/Mini Hydropower Development Association (NMHDA) is the umbrella organization of Micro Hydro Consultants, Manufacturers and Installers, the private sector companies/ firms dedicated to micro hydropower development. By end of first quarter of 2013 almost all of active companie
s/firms of the sector have been associated to NMHDA with a view to maintain a joint strength for professional activities which ultimately results the benefit to people living in remote mountains and hills, participation in formulating policies and programmes to government and other active institutions and create workable atmosphere to private sector.

Background

Micro hydro simply is one of the renewable energy technologies that serves the rural people living in remote hilly and mountainous areas of Nepal. The micro hydropower plants known as ‘MHPs’ are suitable to  their requirement for electricity facility, mainly for lighting. The electricity generated by MHPs is also used widely for radio, TV, computer, milling, hulling, and operating other works as end uses, besides lighting.

The history of electricity in Nepal takes us back to one century when Pharping Powerhouse in Kathmandu was brought into operation in 1911 AD. The plant stands as the second hydropower plant in the region. Likewise, a 5 kW capacity plant installed at Godawari in Lalitpur in 1962 AD was also a landmark in Nepal’s electrification context.

Nepal’s techno-entrepreneurs, in due course of time, brought technology and gained skill for all required services – surveying, designing, manufacturing of turbines and other parts, installation, repair and maintenance for micro hydropower plants. Thus they, now, bear experience of around 40 years. Their technical capabilities and experience got a suitable platform following to establishment of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in 1996 AD by the government to work with alternative energy technologies for the country.

AEPC from very beginning has been working with various disciplines of renewable energy technologies for the benefit of the people who are living without electricity facility, at least for lighting, as well as some technologies to reduce use of fuel wood consumption which not only improve the standard of living of the village people but also contribute to conservation of nature, gender equality and to mitigate social discriminations. Poverty alleviation may be achieved through micro hydro and other source of alternative energy into the life of rural people, as it has been anticipated widely.

Some donor countries and supporting agencies have extended assistance to this effect to AEPC to carry out the programmes in various names like ESAP, REDP. National Rural and Renewable Energy Programme has been brought into effect recently as one single programme for renewable energy promotion. AEPC is also working with Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood Programme (RERL) which has been funded by UNDP and the World Bank. RERL is supporting people to establish MHPs, skill development for smooth operation of the plants and research & development of technology, formulating policies related to renewable energy technologies suitable for Nepal’s rural population. RERL is the continuation of REDP, one of the successful MH programmes conducted from 1996 to 2011.

Nepal’s technical entrepreneurs, as stated above, have developed technologies, gained skills and experiences by working in this sector for around 40 years, established Nepal Micro Hydropower Development Association in 1992. The organization, also commonly known as ‘the association’ in speech and ‘NMHDA’ in script has been an umbrella for 57 members and contributes to the renewable energy sector specially micro hydro sector by representing the sector to formulate effective policies and practices.

This organization is contributing the MH sector since 1995 AD by producing semi skilled and skilled manpower for smooth operation of MHPs. NMHDA also conducts training programmes to produce better surveyors, designers, installers, and others types of technical services required for the sector. NMHDA also conducts training programmes to engineers of member organizations and public sector organizations related to promotion of micro hydropower.

Conducting training programmes to produce the operators for micro hydropower plants (MHPs) has become a regular process to NMHDA. NMHDA trains the people from villages to smoothly run the plant, take care of civil structure and all related to micro hydropower plant. Thus they receive knowledge to maintain well and contribute to run the plant for longer life. It has been experienced that trained MHP operators can contribute for smooth operation of plant with appropriate maintenance and minor repairs. A number of plants coming into operation each year in addition widen requirement of trained operators for the better operations.

Thus, conduction of such training programmes may be justified as a must. This kind of training is helping for proper construction in case of MHP is in the construction phase. Quality improvement and sustainable operation of MHPs are also benefits of the trainings. Obviously, the participants will be benefitted more from the training programme if the training organizer and the trainers involved are well experienced and bear sound knowledge. The set up of training venue adds influence to some extent.

Remarkably, NMHDA had conducted MHP Operators’ Training for 45 batches, Advanced Training for MHP Operators for 10 batches, Refresher Training for Operators’ 1 time so far. Likewise, important training programmes such as Survey and Design, AutoCAD Training for Manufacturers’ Engineers and Technicians, POVI Training, Managers Training and Quality and Management aspects of MHP for installers had been organized. POV and Trouble Shooting Training for AEPC Engineers and Installers Training for technicians of installer companies also conducted recently.

 Training Programmes

As a result of enthusiastic experiences, NMHDA has developed curriculum and infrastructure for training venues to conduct micro hydropower related technical training programmes. In initiation of the Association, a Model Micro Hydropower Plant oriented for research, studies and training is under construction in Kathmandu, near the country’s a century old power house. As the Association has been dedicated for human resource development for micro hydropower sector for around two decades it has earned a number of experienced professionals, engineers, technicians to contribute as instructors/resource persons to this effect. NMHDA takes initiatives in exploring for growth of potential instructors/resource persons within the pro – mhp academics, engineers, technicians from within its members companies/ firms and or from active institutions.

Courses

MHP Operators Training

The Training on MHP Operation is to impart knowledge and skill to operate MHP well. The 22 days training programme is to impart skill and knowledge on maintenance of machines and equipment and up keeping of civil structure is focused in this programme.

 Advanced Level Training for MHP Operators

Some MHP Operators who have performed well and efficiently to the assignment as MHP Operators for at least two years after Training on MHP Operation are selected for Advanced Level Training for MHP Operators to impart skill and knowledge of repair and maintenance of MHP and to avail his/her service even to MHPs at neighbouring locations.

Survey and Design Training

Survey and Design Training is designed to impart knowledge and skill to survey the MHPs. Engineer, overseer and technicians are taken as trainees for this 5 day course.

Installation Training

Training on Installation of MHPs is to produce skilled installers. The participants gain knowledge and skill on better construction of civil structures for MHPs, Installation of turbines, alternators, penstock pipes, fixing of meters and other important accessories and well stretching of transmission lines and distribution system. This programme is conducted with more practcal oriented curriculum for 15 days.

Power Output Verification Inspection Training

Power Output Verification Inspectors bear a significant role in verifying the recently established MHPs as the plants required to be ratified the service rendered to it and the machines, equ
ipment and other parts are supplied and installed in better manner. Thus, in conclusion, the power generated by certain MHP is in accordance to the job assigned to the installation company to be verified. NMHDA has organized POVI Training programmes in the past and conducts as per requirement. This programme is with 5 days schedule.

Specified Training Programmes

Other than conducting of regular type tailor-made training programmes, NMHDA had organized some Training Programmes for decision making Engineers to impart in depth knowledge in Survey and Design of MHPs.

One of this category to mention is recently organized Survey and Design Training for decision making Engineers which was more like an interaction rather than a class room lecture typed.

Another training programme conducted for District Level at site Engineers who bear responsibilities of well establishment of MHPs of both already established ones and upcoming MHPs both.

Thus, NMHDA offers wide opportunities of human resource development based on its experience, infrastructure and resource persons to communities, government and non-government institutions involved in renewable energy promotion.

Scope of International Training

Some training programme in Nepal has been conducted in the past to impart knowledge and skill on micro hydropower technology to foreigners. The experienced resource persons, technical advancement for Nepal in micro hydropower, suitable set ups and locations and fair climatic conditions make Nepal a favourable destination for micro hydropower related training activities. The Model Micro Hydropower Project which is planned to house Pelton Turbine, Cross Flow Turbine and Francis Turbine and with internal synchronization and synchronization to the national grid with state of the art civil construction make the most probably best place for research, studies and training programmes.

Thus, NMHDA propose the international counterparts for extending their support to conduct International Level Micro Hydro Training Programmes in Nepal. The experts in Nepal who had even earned experience in working and teaching in foreign land will share knowledge and skill for advancement of micro hydro in any part of the Globe. This will be opportunity for mh professionals from all over the world to take benefit from Nepal’s experience and enthusiasm. Institutions active in other countries where micro hydropower is feasible may utilize NMHDA expertise in human resource development for better growth of micro hydropower. This offer was raised with foreign delegates during the International Workshop on Micro Hydel in Developing Countries held in recently in Kathmandu too.

The foreign participants may choice Survey, Design and Installation segment to learn in Nepal. However, course may be designed according to the participants’ requirement keeping in view level of knowledge and skill, duration of programme in days and or according to cost of programme. However, such training programmes are suggested to be of two weeks long. On request, NMHDA will provide full board services to the participants.

Scope of International Training

Some training programme in Nepal has been conducted in the past to impart knowledge and skill on micro hydropower technology to foreigners. The experienced resource persons, technical advancement for Nepal in micro hydropower, suitable set ups and locations and fair climatic conditions make Nepal a favourable destination for micro hydropower related training activities. The Model Micro Hydropower Project which is planned to house Pelton Turbine, Cross Flow Turbine and Francis Turbine and with internal synchronization and synchronization to the national grid with state of the art civil construction make the most probably best place for research, studies and training programmes.

Thus, NMHDA propose the international counterparts for extending their support to conduct International Level Micro Hydro Training Programmes in Nepal. The experts in Nepal who had even earned experience in working and teaching in foreign land will share knowledge and skill for advancement of micro hydro in any part of the Globe. This will be opportunity for mh professionals from all over the world to take benefit from Nepal’s experience and enthusiasm. Institutions active in other countries where micr
o hydropower is feasible may utilize NMHDA expertise in human resource development for better growth of micro hydropower. This offer was raised with foreign delegates during the International Workshop on Micro Hydel in Developing Countries held in recently in Kathmandu too.

The foreign participants may choice Survey, Design and Installation segment to learn in Nepal. However, course may be designed according to the participants’ requirement keeping in view level of knowledge and skill, duration of programme in days and or according to cost of programme. However, such training programmes are suggested to be of two weeks long. On request, NMHDA will provide full board services to the participants.

NMHDA conducted Training Programmes

Micro Hydro Operators’ Training

 

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	02/04/1996 – 16/04/1996	Krishna B. Nakarmi	9	ITDG	DCS, Butwal
2	01/07/1996 – 31/03/1996	Shankar Lal Baidya	19	ITDG	BTTC, Kathmandu
3	19/11/1996 – 21/12/1996	Shankar Lal Baidya	17	ITDG	BTTC, Kathmandu
4	03/03/1997 – 03/04/1997	Krishna Pd. Devkota	9	ITDG	DCS Butwal
5	10/11/1997 – 10/12/1997	Krishna B. Nakarmi	20	REDP	Kathmandu
6	21/12/1997 – 20/01/1998	Krishna B. Nakarmi	20	REDP	Kathmandu
7	21/02/1999 – 23/03/1999	Brijesh Mainali	20	REDP	Kathmandu
8	05/09/1999 – 05/10/1999	Brijesh Mainali	20	REDP	Kathmandu
9	27/06/2000 – 25/07/2000	Brijesh Mainali	20	REDP	Kathmandu
10	06/11/2000 – 05/12/2000	Brijesh Mainali	18	REDP	Kathmandu
11	15/07/2001 – 11/08/2001	Prajwal R. Shakya	22	REDP	Kathmandu
12	21/11/2001 – 18/12/2001	Prajwal R. Shakya	19	REDP	Kathmandu
13	11/04/2004 – 02/05/2004	Govinda Devkota	18	AEPC	Kathmandu
14	28/05/2004 – 19/06/2004	Krishna Pd. Devkota	18	AEPC	Kathmandu
15	04/12/2004 – 25/02/2005	Krishna Pd. Devkota	16	AEPC	Kathmandu
16	16/02/2005 – 09/03/2005	Krishna Pd. Devkota	14	AEPC	Kathmandu
17	01/04/2005 – 22/04/2005	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	REDP	Kathmandu
18	27/05/2005 – 28/06/2005	Krishna Pd. Devkota	22	REDP	Kathmandu
19	11/05/2006 – 19/07/2006	Krishna Pd. Devkota	26	AEPC	Kathmandu
20	26/05/2006 – 16/06/2006	Krishna Pd. Devkota	24	AEPC	Kathmandu
21	01/05/2006 – 22/06/2006	Krishna Pd. Devkota	19	REDP	Kathmandu
22	17/06/2006 – 08/07/2006	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	REDP	Kathmandu
23	25/12/2006 – 15/01/2007	Krishna Pd. Devkota	23	AEPC	Kathmandu
24	29/01/2007 – 19/02/2007	Krishna Pd. Devkota	22	REDP	Kathmandu
25	26/02/2007 – 19/03/2007	Krishna Pd. Devkota	19	REDP	Kathmandu
26	22/03/2007 – 12/04/2007	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	REDP	Kathmandu
27	15/06/2008 – 06/07/2008	Janak Das Koirala	20	AEPC	Kathmandu
28	18/03/2009 – 08/04/2009	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	REDP	Kathmandu
29	09/04/2009 – 30/04/2009	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	REDP	Kathmandu
30	16/05/2010 – 27/06/2010	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	SARI/Energy, USAID	Kathmandu
31	09/09/2010 – 10/10/2010	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	REDP	Kathmandu
32	03/01/2011 – 27/01/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	REDP	Kathmandu
33	03/02/2011 – 23/02/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	REDP	Kathmandu
34	13/05/2011 – 04/07/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
35	27/06/2007 – 18/07/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	27	ESAP	Kathmandu
36	20/07/2011 – 10/08/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	ESAP	Kathmandu
37	14/02/2012 – 06/03/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
38	09/03/2012 – 30/03/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
39	02/04/2012 – 3/04/21012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	22	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
40	31/05/2012 – 21/05/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	26	ESAP	Kathmandu
41	18/06/2012 – 09/07/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	ESAP	Kathmandu
42	16/12/2012 – 06/01/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
43	18/12/2012 – 08/12/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
44	03/02/2013 – 24/02/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
45	15/03/2013 – 07/04/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	20	AEPC/RERL	BUTWAL
46	16/06/2013 – 06/07/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	BUTWAL
47	17/06/2013 – 07/07/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	BUTWAL
48	18/06/2013 – 08/07/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	22	AEPC/NRREP	BUTWAL
49	15/06/2014 – 06/07/2014	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
50	15/06/2014 – 06/07/2014	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
51	19/06/2014 – 10/07/2014	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
52	19/06/2014 – 10/07/2014	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
53	01/12/2014 – 22/12/2014	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/RERL and Practical Action	Kathmandu (Capacity Building & ToT to plant operators)
54	21/02/2016 – 13/03/2016	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
55	23/02/2016 – 15/03/2016	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
56	17/03/2016 – 07/04/2016	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
57	27/03/2016 – 17/04/2016	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu

 

 

Micro Hydro Advanced Operators’ Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	15/08/1999 – 31/08/1999	Krishna B. Nakarmi	15	REDP	Kathmandu
2	21/09/2001 – 29/09/2001	Krishna B. Nakarmi	19	REDP	Kathmandu
3	03/10/2001 – 11/10/2001	Krishna B. Nakarmi	19	REDP	Kathmandu
4	09/08/2003 – 15/08/2003	Govinda P. Devkota	18	REDP	Kathmandu
5	21/06/2007 – 28/06/2007	Janak Das Koirala	20	AEPC	Kathmandu
6	12/06/2008 – 18/06/2008	Janak Das Koirala	18	AEPC	Kathmandu
7	19/06/2008 – 25/06/2008	Janak Das Koirala	23	AEPC	Kathmandu
8	21/05/2009 – 27/05/2009	Janak Das Koirala	17	AEPC	Kathmandu
9	22/02/2012 – 28/02/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	21	RERL	Kathmandu
10	15/03/2012 – 21/03/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	24	RERL	Kathmandu

 

 

Refresher Training Mini-Hydro Operators

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	19/09/2011 – 22/09/2011	Krishna Pd. Devkota	11	RERL/AEPC	Kathmandu

 

NMHDA has also conducted the following training programmes related to MH other than Operators’ training;

 

Micro Hydro Surveyors’ Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	24/02/1997 – 13/03/1997	Krishna B. Nakarmi	12	REDP	Kathmandu
2	12/06/1997 – 21/06/1997	Sunita Shrestha	14	NMHDA	Kathmandu
3	09/07/1998 – 21/07/1998	Sunita Shrestha	12	REDP	Kathmandu
4	17/09/1997 – 23/09/1998	Sunita Shrestha	11	NMHDA	Kathmandu

 

 

Managers Training and Quality and Management Aspects of MHP for Installers

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	19/12/2006 – 21/12/2006	Krishna Pd.  Devkota	17	ESAP	Kathmandu
2	06/01/2007 – 08/01/2007	Krishna Pd.  Devkota	18	ESAP	Butwal

 

Micro Hydro Auto Cad Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	(Basic Level) 21/01/2001 -30/01/2001	Brijesh Mainali	12	ESAP	Kathmandu
2	(Advanced Level) 25/01/2004 – 13/02/2004	Govinda Devkota	14	ESAP	Kathmandu

 

Micro Hydro Output Verification (POV) Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	13/05/2008 –  16/05/2008	Krishna Pd. Devkota	38	AEPC	Kathmandu
2	15/05/2008 – 21/05/2008	Krishna Pd. Devkota	38	AEPC	Kathmandu
3	28/12/2014 – 04/01/2015	Krishna Pd. Devkota	26	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu
4	06/04/2016 – 12/04/2016	Krishna Pd. Devkota	24	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu

 

Micro Hydro Managers’ Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	29/06/2010 – 05/07/2010	Krishna Pd. Devkota	15	SARI/Energy	Kathmandu

 

Micro Hydro End Use Promotion Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	07/07/2010 – 13/07/2010	Krishna Pd. Devkota	15	SARI/Energy	Kathmandu

 

Micro Hydro POVI/Trouble Shooting/Energy Meter Installation Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	01/04/2012 –  07/04/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	27	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu

*All participants from DEESs/DEEUs

 

Micro Hydro Installation Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	24/07/2012 –  07/08/2012	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
2	22/06/2015 – 06/07/2015	Krishna Pd. Devkota	25	AEPC/RERL	Kathmandu
3	07/01/2016 – 31/01/2016	Krishna P.  Devkota	25	AEPC/NRREP	Kathmandu

 

Micro/Mini Hydropower Projects Survey & Design Training

S/No.	Date and duration	Coordinator	No. of Participants	Supported by	Training Location
1	25/02/2013 –  03/03/2013	Krishna Pd. Devkota	16	AEPC	Kathmandu