An appropriate solution

to the problem of
sustainable energy for
the An Minh district.
Amish Suchak

The problem
The main source of power in Mekong Delta region and Kein
Giang Province is electricity from power stations, and the nearest
one which powers the grid is located in Ca Mau (south). The
power plant is powered by petroleum. City prices for
electricity are about 100,000 VD per poor household and prices
range from 3000-5000 per kWh.

Sustainable/Renewable
energy
Protection of the environment.
Protection of the people.
Prevents the depletion of natural resources .

The Performance Criteria

Aspect

Importance

A. The safety of the plant for

affecting the biotic and abiotic
species of the ecosystem

10

B. Its impact on the environment

10

C. The reliability of the renewable

resource

D. The total cost of materials for

building, cost of maintenance and
the capital over time

E. The type of geography needed

Finding the suitable

solution
Possibl Criteri
e
aA
Solutio (10)
n

Criteri
aB
(10)

Criteri
a C (8)

Criteri
a D (6)

Criteri
a E (6)

Total
Marks

Solar

29

Wind

27

Bioga
s

36

Hydro -

29

Electric

The design

Hotspots

Initial costs
Equipment

Cost

Dong Feng (Internal combustion

generator)

80,000$

Cost of Building the power plant.

(cement, pipes etc)

150,000$

Installing the power lines to the

houses

45,000$

Initial labor costs for building

400$
costs (10 laborers with an average
of 5$ per laborer per day)
Total initial cost for setting up 275,400$
the power plant

Yearly costs
Equipment

Cost per year

Daily waste truck delivery to a

location 8km away from the site
including the cost of petrol.

8650$

Cost of two laborers, each with an 3650$

average salary of 5$ per day.
Maintenance cost

15,000$

Total average yearly cost

27,300$

Cost/revenue graph
1800000
1600000
1400000
1200000
1000000
Amount in US$

Revenue

800000

Cost
600000
400000
200000
0
Year 1

Year 2

Year 3
Time (years)

Year 4

Year 5

Additional uses
Waste management and sanitization.
Methane gas.
Fertilizer.
Heat.

Social considerations
Conservative society.
Ethics.

Possible solutions
Awareness of the dangers of using a non-

renewable source of energy.

Demonstrating the advantages of using bio-

gas as a means of generating electricity.

Image sources
Image 1 :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/24/e
missions-standard-energy-bill-tim-yeo
Image 2 :
http://www.solarroadways.com/images/climate/Power_pl
ant_pollution.jpg
Image 3 :
http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/Leaf%20beech.JPG
Image 4 :
http://www.evwind.es/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/esola
r-concentrated-solar-power-plant.jpg
Image 5 :
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1lPZF5k15Og/T4qdeO0K2eI
/AAAAAAAAAfw/hFKvYeemcpA/s1600/wind-farm.jpg

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