:: Photovoltaic :: Photovoltaic technology is particularly suitable for small power requirements and remote area applications.

The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, and the Thar Desert are specially suited for the utilization of solar energy through photovoltaics. Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan area-wise, has a population density of just 21 persons per square kilometer, with 77% of the population living in rural areas. About 90% of the villages are yet to be electrified. Large distances with absolutely no approach roads separate these villages. The houses are mostly 'kacha' hut type with walls and roofs made with a combination of mud and straw. Light is the main requirement for these houses. Most of the houses consist of only one room. The electric requirement for each house varies from 50 to 100 W maximum. Transmission lines are very expensive to build in these areas and there is only a remote possibility of grid connection in the near future. Also, the extension of grid lines for such small power requirements is very uneconomical. Local power generation is a possible solution to these problems. When considering diesel generators, transportation of fuel to such remote areas and maintenance are again a costly proposition. Therefore, solar energy looks like the best (and only) option for these areas. National Institute of Silicon Technology, now Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) was established in 1981 to do research, development and promotion of photovoltaic technologies. Since then the infrastructure and know how have been developed in the field of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies. The laboratories are equipped to produce silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules. A number of PV appliances such as solar lantern, solar home light system, street and garden lights are developed. : Solar Thermal :: There are a large number of applications in which solar energy can be utilized directly by exploiting its heat characteristics. Such technologies are comparatively simple, relatively low cost and easy to adopt. The applications include cooking, heating and cooling of buildings, generation of high temperature steam, heating water for domestic and industrial applications, and drying agricultural products under controlled temperatures. A brief description of these applications in Pakistan is provided here. Solar water heater Solar water heating technology is quite mature but its use in Pakistan has been quite limited so far mainly because of inability of market development and absence of governmental support and subsidized gas price. A number of public sector organizations are actively working on the development of low cost solar water heaters that have now started gaining popularity particularly in the northern mountainous regions due to cold weather and limited and difficult supply of natural gas in these areas. With the electricity and natural gas prices registering sharp increases, the use of solar water heaters is bound to increase. The production and commercialization of such heaters has already been started in the private sector. Solar cooker

A number of public sector organizations have worked in the past and are still working on the development of low cost and efficient designs of both box and concentrator type solar cookers. Non-governmental organizations are also active in this field and have supplied a number of such cookers to rural areas. The Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET), which is later described in this paper, routinely organizes training workshops on the use and maintenance of such devices. The number of solar cookers in use in Pakistan is more than 2000, but it is still far less than that being used in China (60,000) and India (about 14,500). Pakistan needs to popularize solar cookers to reduce the use of precious forest resources as fuel wood. Solar cookers come in two types: box types that are more suitable for baking the food, and concentrated (parabolic) type that works at high temperatures. Foods prepared in solar ovens keep their natural flavor and taste and retain their vitamin content. Less oil is required for cooking in the solar oven, therefore, solar oven cooked food is good for weight conscious people. All Pakistani dishes including prathas and chapati can be prepared on concentrated type cooker in the same time interval as taken by a conventional single stove gas cooker. The method of cooking is also similar to that of conventional cooker. The cooker emits no harmful smoke to harm eyes and lungs of the cook. The cooking can be done on this cooker from 9.00 am to 3.00 p.m. on all sunny days of the year. Solar dryer Solar energy can be utilized very effectively in drying agriculture products using solar dryers, and good quality products can be obtained at much less cost due to savings in cost of electricity or other heating fuels that would have been used otherwise for the same purpose. Due to the lack of logistics and basic infrastructure in the northern mountainous regions of Gilgit and Sakardu etc tons of fruit like apricots go waste every year. Solar dryers are now being used to dry large quantities of such fruit, which are transported and sold them later in the urban market, resulting in a positive effect on the economy of this area. Solar dryers could be equally effectively used in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh to dry agriculture products for better market value and generating local employment. Solar Desalination The unavailability of drinkable water in large parts of Balochistan, Sindh and southern Punjab is a critical issue. Underground water exists, but it is highly saline due to the presence mainly of sodium chloride and other salts. Saline water is not only unsuitable for washing and cleaning but also causes many stomach diseases and hypertension. Solar energy can very effectively and economically be used to convert this available saline water into potable water. The solar desalination technology is simple, low cost and low-tech, and therefore, local people can easily adopt it. Furthermore, solar desalinated water is also free from bacteria, which is killed during the process due to high water temperature in the still. Two plants each consisting on 250 stills with capacity to clean water upto 6000 gallons per day, were installed in Gawadar in sixties. This was followed by other small plants of capacity 250 gallons per day each in rural areas to convert brackish water into potable water.

:Development and Dissemination of Micro Hydro Power Plants:: ::A Success Story of PCRET:: Introduction PCRET is not only the pioneering agency in introducing the Micro Hydro Power Technology in Pakistan but is the National Focal Point for the development and dissemination of renewable energy technologies in Pakistan, especially in the field of development and promotion of mini / micro hydro power plants in isolated / neglected areas of the country. It has been demonstrating and disseminating MHP Technology after indigenization, on micro level in the far-flung, inaccessible and remote hilly areas of the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, FATA and AJK since 1976. Over the past so many years PCRET has achieved sufficient experience in utilizing the high-head low-discharge perennial water falls for power generation. Focal Point Agency In pursuance of Rural Electrification Programme of the Federal Govt. the major objective of the MHP Programme has therefore been rural electrification of the areas which are away from the national grid, and where restoration of ecological balance along with protection of environment is imperative. Credit Performance The Council has so far successfully installed 538 decentralized MHP plants with consolidated installed power generation capacity of 8 MW. Out of 538 MHP plans, 152 plants have been installed through launching various PSDP schemes in the offgrid, far-flung and remote areas, while 280 MHP plants have been installed in collaboration with individuals / communities. Whereas 106 plants have been installed in collaboration with various GOs NGOs, VBOs providing technical assistance and post-installation supervision. Salient Feature One of the remarkable features of PCRETs MHP Programme is the Community participation in each phase of the project from initiation to implementation stage and subsequent operation and maintenance by forming co-operatives. The expenses incurred on the power distribution system are borne by the local communities / beneficiaries in addition to provision of land and labor for the installation of MHP plants. Moreover, power plants are operated and maintained by the communities themselves through establishment of Local Management Committees. There is therefore no recurring expenditure on the national exchequer. The committee fixes the tariff for the power use and arranges collection of bills. The money so collected is utilized for operation and maintenance of power plants. Future Prospects In view of the tremendous success of PCRETs MHP scheme a number of GOs / NOGs are approaching PCRET for provision of technical assistance to launch MHP Program in the areas where requisite potential exist. The Irrigation Departments

Government of Punjab and Sindh intend to install MHP plants at their canal falls at different locations. An experimental pilot project on canal fall has been successfully completed at a site in Mardan whereas another 200 Kw capacity plant is being installed at Khanpur Dam in collaboration with a private power generating party, under Public Private Cooperation Scheme of the Government. Moreover, in October 2005 the large earthquake affected area of AJK and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, where basic infrastructure of electricity, road, hospitals, shops and houses etc. was severely damaged called for immediate rehabilitation. PCRET to shoulder Government efforts for rehabilitation of mass destructed / devastated earthquake inaccessible areas of AJK and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa initiated a power project entitled Provision of Electricity to Earthquake Effected Areas through Installation of 100 Micro Hydropower Plants with aim behind to provide electricity to the needy. Socio Economic Impacts A gradual change is visible after installation of MHP plants at the affected area. i. Less fuel consumption for lighting. ii. Increase in use of long-range cordless phones for communication. iii. Every house is equipped with T.V and Dish Satellite receiver. iv. Schools / Colleges are equipped with Computer Labs. v. Micro industry abundance to produce quality furniture and carving panels. vi. Cottage industry viz-handy craft, sewing and embroidery on shawl and bedspreads are flourishing and the public living standard is also improved. vii. Opportunities of additional income sources enhanced. Fresh Project of PCRET Two PSDP Projects mentioned below i.e one to be executed by PCRET and another a joint project of PCRET and Ahga Khan Rural Support Programme are in pipe line, waiting for approval. 1. Establishment of 80 Mini / Microhydel Plants in Gilgit Baltistan and Chital and Hydel Technology Development in Pakistan 2. Construction of 86 MHP Plants in Rural Areas of NWFP, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan for Electrification and Poverty Alleviation :: Wind Energy Technology for Power Generation :: Introduction Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) has successfully completed installation of wind turbines under a PSDP Project "Electrification of Remote Coastal Villages using Wind Energy" by installing 155 micro wind generators, electrifying more than 1600 houses. Under the Project 0.5, 1.0, 3.2, 5.0 6.0 and 10 K.W wind turbines were imported from China, USA, Spain, Germany and Australia.

They have been installed in the coastal belt of Arabian sea in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. PCRET technical personal has acquired training in assembling and installation of these wind generators through the courtesy of Peoples Republic of China. These wind turbines are functioning successfully and supervisory service, in case of operation and maintenance is provided to the end-users by the PCRET technical staff. Presently, PCRET intends to acquire expertise in design and fabrication of different components of wind turbines in the range of 5kw and 10kw power generation capacities. Technology transfer for this purpose is required to be made from leading countries in wind energy technology i.e. China, USA and others. Harnessing the Viability There are hundreds of villages in the coastal belt on the Arabian Sea that need to be electrified by wind energy as they are not included in the priority program of the Government for rural electrification due to difficult terrain. Whereas viability of the wind power generation has already been established by installing 155 small wind turbines in the area. It can be adjudged from the fact that a large number of applications are pending with PCRET for installation of wind turbines. Potential The energy derived from wind power over the globe till December 2008 exceed 100,000 MW, which represents 40% of the total energy derived from other sources of Renewable Energy (Hydro, Solar, Biomass Geo Thermal etc.) all over the world. The coastal belt in Pakistan has power generation potential of more than 50,000 MW that can be harnessed through appropriate wind machine for which local manufacturing of wind turbines is necessary in order to save precious foreign exchange. Feasibility study on the availability of wind velocity at sustainable speed for running wind turbine in the coastal belt of Arabian Sea located in the Provinces of Balochistan and Sindh of Pakistan has been carried out. It has been found that the wind corridor is available from Gharo to Keti Bandar in Thatta district of the Sindh Province, having a power generation potential of 50,000 MW. Similar is the case of Lasbella District of Balochistan Province, where wind at a sustainable speed, good for power generation is available with little variation in the seasons (5 meters per second in winter and 8 meters per second in the summer). Advantages Wind Power Generation has many advantages: Wind turbine produce energy with out pollution. No extra fuel is required for power generation, except wind, thus no fuel cost and no price risk are involved. Making power supply possible to remote, inaccessible locations, where national grid expansion is impossible. Due to local fabrication, indigenous industry will flourish and people will get

employment opportunities, besides becoming skilled in manufacturing of wind components. Achievement of PCRET 155 wind-generating units of 0.5 kw to 10 kw power generation capacity have been installed for the neglected segment of the society. About 1600 houses of remote coastal villages in Sindh & Balochistan have been electrified. More than 400 applications for wind electrification from remote coastal village, are pending with the PCRET due to successful completion of first phase of the project. There is a need for further dissemination of technology, as most of the villages in the coastal areas, particularly, in Lasbela district of Balochistan, Badin and Thatta district in Sindh are still deprived of the basic amenities of life including electricity. The following measures need to the adopted for better and smooth functioning of wind turbines. o Selection of sites must be need based and on available potential (wind speed) interest, cooperative aptitude of beneficiary and will. o Wind Turbine (stand alone system) are to be provided to those villages, which are physically inaccessible and economically feasible for supplying electricity from the national grid. o Projects on Wind Energy for meeting the countrys energy needs should be encouraged particularly for electrification of remote coastal villages. o Local manufacture of wind turbines should be encouraged for economic exploitation of the wind energy potential available in the country. o Government should facilitate the local manufacturers of wind turbines by exempting taxes on import of raw material like permanent magnet, copper wire, polymers etc. required for local manufacturer of wind turbines. PCRET intends to enhance its capability by engaging trained manpower in wind power generation and indigenous production of wind turbines that suits to local conditions. A PSDP Project titled Electrification of 1500 Households of Coastal Areas by Indigenous Improved Wind Energy Turbines is being launched in near future. ::BIOGAS FOR COOKING, LIGHTING & IRRIGATION PURPOSE :: Introduction The Biogas Technology (BT) offers an efficient way of biomass utilization. It involves anaerobic fermentation of organic materials such as animal dung, agricultural wastes, aquatic weeds etc. to produce methane rich fuel gas and a value added organic fertilizer. Thus, it has considerable potential for providing fuel and fertilizer besides being on efficient system for recycling waste of prevention of pollution, ecological imbalance and improvement of sanitary conditions in the rural areas.

PCRET: An Initiator Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) under took propagation of Biogas Technology as early as in 1976, based on imported Chinese Design and then initially installed 21 family size units. But afterward due to various factors such as gas pressure variables, lack of craftsmanship, leakage occurring in the dome, hindering good performance of gas produced through fermentation process, the council adjourned the programme. Thereafter Indian design was adapted with some modifications, suitable to local conditions and afterward a project for installation of 1,200 family size biogas plants on public - private cost sharing basis was launched. In view of prompt and positive response of the people the project ended by installing 35% additional biogas plants than the target originally set forth in PC-1. (Actual 1,604 units installed against target of 1,200 units). Encouraged by positive public response, PCRET launched another project for installation of 2,500 biogas plants in 2007 with a subsidy component of Rs.17000/per plant. In the last two years despite various financial constraints, about 2,000 biogas units have so far been installed successfully whereas work on other 500 units is in progress. Originally, biogas plants were constructed for cooking purpose only. But in view of the current energy crises i.e. rise in prices of fossil fuels; increase in electric utility tariff and heavy load shedding which has severely effected the life of common man and the economy, possibilities were further work up for utilization of biogas on commercial scale. Thus over the period, demand from the public has compelled PCRET to explore ways and means of using biogas for lighting as well as irrigation purposes. Keeping this aspect in view, PCRET came forward to make possible the usage of biogas in generating power for lighting, refrigeration, electric fans, mobile charging, running washing machine and iron for pressing clothes etc. Besides the galloping prices of diesel coupled with its irregular supply has compelled agriculturist to use biogas as duel fuel (diesel + biogas) for running their tube wells. For this purpose relatively a bigger size biogas plants (10M3, 15M3, 20M3 gas production capacity per day) have been designed and installed in Sialkot, Narowal, Jhang and other places. As per field reports, the success rate of such plants is very high. Biogas Potential in Pakistan As per recent livestock census, there are 51 million animals (Buffaloes, Cows, Bullocks) in Pakistan. Thus, 19.125 Million M3 biogas can be produced daily by anaerobic fermentation of dung through installation of about 3.825 million family size biogas plants, which could meet the cooking needs of about 50 million people. The total population of Pakistan is about 170 million, out of which 68% reside in the rural areas, which comes to be 98 million. Therefore we can meet the cooking / heating requirements of 44% rural masses from this single source of energy (biogas) besides, producing 57.4 million Kg of nitrogen enriched bio-fertilizer per day or 21.00 million tons of bio-fertilizer per year, which is an essential requirement for sustaining the fertility of agricultural lands.

Best Option for Future In view of the prevailing situation, promotion of the biogas technology (B.T.) seems to be one of the best options which could, not only partially offset the fossil fuel and fuel wood consumption but also could facilitate recycling of agro-animal residues as a bio-fertilizer. Moreover, being clean and renewable, it would also contribute towards environment protection, sustenance of ecosystem and conservation of biodiversity. There is however, a tremendous need to promote public awareness, in particular, among youth and women, on the use of bio-energy (biogas) and bio-fertilizer and also to create awareness and know-how about eco-system management, conservation of bio-diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Due to mass Social acceptance, the Government of Pakistan has asked PCRET to launch mega project on the biogas technology by installing 25,000 biogas units all over the country to not only cater the needs of cooking but also for agriculture and commercial purpose in order to meet the shortage of gas and electricity in the country. It is hoped that after approval from concerned quarters the project will pave way on mass-scale dissemination of an environment friendly technology; which apart from being green has enormous benefits to the public at the country.

:: Geo Thermal ::

No Geo Thermal power work has been done in Pakistan. Pakistan is situated over the junctions of the tectonic plates of the sub-continents and is rich in geothermal resources. Three parts of Pakistan i.e. Kashmir, NWFP and Balochistan are the potential zones where geothermal resources are located. So far, no work has been done to mark the seismic zones of the country with particular reference to geothermal resources.