Powering Health

electrification options for developing country health facilities

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Health Clinic Power System Design

This online software tool uses NREL's HOMER® optimization model to assist health care providers design appropriate power systems for their rural health clinics using combinations of diesel generators, utility power grids, batteries and photovoltaic arrays. Additional information: "Powering Health: Electrification Options for Rural Health Centers" (PDF 660 KB)

Follow the numbered steps below to run a HOMER® analysis.

Location and Time Zone - Use the map to indicate your approximate location [more info]

The amount of energy available from the sun is directly related to location. HOMER obtains monthly average solar resource values from a variety of databases at NREL and NASA. These are calculated based on the latitude and longitude of a site and satellite measurements of annual cloud cover.
Power Assumptions - Override the default values for the cost and availability of the electric grid, any on-site power generation with local values if known. [more info]

In areas where the electricity grid is available only part of the day, the scheduling of the grid can have a significant impact on the design of a suitable power supply system.

The availability and cost of supply and installation of PV panels, batteries and diesel fuel will vary by location. The default values entered here are roughly accurate for much of Africa, but should not be relied upon without verification. When calculating the cost of PV, include the cost of all related components (the cost of the panels, installation, mounting frames and other hardware), but not the inverter, which is sized separately by HOMER.
Financial Assumptions - Enter the Real Interest rate [more info]

HOMER minimizes the discounted Cashflow of the project, The interest rate determines the tradeoff between the initial capital cost and future operating costs. It has a significant effect on the optimal system design. Lower interest rates will favor PV over diesel generators. The Real Interest rate can be approximated as the difference between a bank's interest rate on loans and the estimated rate of inflation.
Electric Load Inputs - Enter the type and number of electrical devices used in the health clinic and the time of day they are used. [more info]

The table is populated with common equipment types found in rural health clinics including typical power ratings. The time of day that power is needed and the peak power demand have an impact on the sizing of equipment and the optimal configuration. For the most accurate simulation, this step may require a walk-through of an existing clinic. If there is no clinic yet, refer to the link provided above for guidance on estimating the potential electrical load.
Run HOMER® [more info]

Once you have defined all the necessary inputs HOMER will analyze every possible combination of power supply options that meet the demand. The results are ranked low to high based on the cost per unit of electricity over the project lifetime.

1) Location and Time Zone

Click on the map below to mark your location

Solar Resource DataOnce you have picked the clinic location on the map the Latitude and Longitude will appear below
Location (latitude, longitude)

Time ZoneEnter local time zone. (GMT offset)

2) Power Assumptions

Electric GridSimulates an unreliable electric grid (if available)
Grid on at (time)Enter time of day when grid is available
for how many hours?Enter number of hours grid is available
Electric Grid PriceIf connected to electric grid, enter price of grid power in $ per kWh, e.g. 0.15. ($/kWh)

On-site Generation
Type of Fuel
Cost of DieselTypical cost of diesel is $1.5/liter ($/liter)
Cost of PV SystemTypical PV system cost: $7,000/kW ($/kW)
Type of Battery
Cost of BatteriesCost of Trojan T-105 are typically $200/battery. Additional batteries will be added at a later date. ($/battery)

3) Financial Assumptions

Interest Rate
Interest RateNote: The determination of the least-cost system depends on the interest rate, which is used to develop the net present value of all the system costs over time. For this purpose, the appropriate interest rate to use is the real interest rate for funds borrowed from a local bank. (The real interest rate can be approximated as the difference between the bank's interest rate and the estimated rate of inflation, expressed in percent per annum.) Higher interest rates favor generators rather than photovoltaics, and conversely. (percent per year)

Interest Rate

Interest RateNote: The determination of the least-cost system depends on the interest rate, which is used to develop the net present value of all the system costs over time. For this purpose, the appropriate interest rate to use is the real interest rate for funds borrowed from a local bank.
(The real interest rate can be approximated as the difference between the bank's interest rate and the estimated rate of inflation, expressed in percent per annum.) Higher interest rates favor generators rather than photovoltaics, and conversely.
(percent per year)

4) Electric Load Inputs [Set to: Small Clinic Medium Clinic Large Clinic] [Clear Inputs]

EquipmentSelect energy-consuming devices or equipment for the clinic	TotalCalculated total power consumption for the device. Multiplies Quantity by Power to get Total. (Watts)	Total EnergyCalculated daily energy consumption for the device, in kilowatt-hours per day (kWh/day)
Refrigerator-VaccineSmall blood/vaccine refrigerator uses 0.6 kW/day Ref. World Health Organization Model: Dometic BR60 Capacity 55 liters, 24 blood bags
Refrigerator-Non-medNon-med refrigerator typically use 300W on an average of 5 hours to give 1.5kWh/day Ref. Powering Health .pdf file.
CentrifugeSmall Centrifuge use 242W Ref. Fisher Scientific code: 04978229 Larger centrifuge may use 575W Ref. Fisher Scientific code 497850AQ
Hematology-MixerHematology Mixer generally uses 29 W Ref. Fisher Scientific code: 140601
MicroscopeSmall Centrifuge use 242W Ref. Fisher Scientific code: 04978229 Larger centrifuge may use 575W Ref. Fisher Scientific code 497850AQ
Blood Chemical AnalyzerBlood Chemical Analyzers use 88W Ref. Fisher Scientific code 22515457
Water-BathWater Bath typically uses 1.012 kW Ref.Fisher Scientific code 1546021
Water PurificationTypical Water Purification uses 2.64 kW Fisher Scientific code: 09085
Hematology AnalyzerHematology Analyzer typically uses 230 W Ref. Fisher Scientific code: 23499238
CD4 MachineTypical CD4 Machine uses 200 W Ref. Powering Health .pdf file
Sterilization ovenTypical Sterilization oven uses 1.56 kW Ref. Fisher Scientific code: 13247725f
Portable X-rayPortable X-Ray Machine uses 3.0 kW Ref. DynaRad, Model HF-110A System
RadioRadio transmitting uses 30 W Ref. Powering Health .pdf file
Lighting-CFLCompact Fluorescent Lights typically use 20 W
Tube-FluorescentsTube Fluorescent lights typically use 40 W
Desktop ComputerDesktop computer with CRT uses 230 W Laptops use 75 W Ref. Dell computers
PrinterInkjet printer typically use 100 W Ref. Powering Health .pdf file
Air-ConditionerTypical Air conditioner uses 1.0 kW Ref. Powering Health .pdf file



Total
	Watts	kWh/day

5) Run HOMER®

[Click here to model your clinic with HOMER]

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Last updated: Jan 2012

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