JUSTIFICATION

Hydropower as a sustainable energy supply for street lights in community of Dumagat Tribe

in Norzagaray

“Light is not just a commodity; it is a reminder of life’s harsh realities.” (Wyatt, 2013)

Electricity in the rural areas or remote areas is one of the problems of the government and of

course the main problem of the people who lives in remote areas. According to Winther.

“Access to electricity has a positive impact on a wide range of factors influencing rural

communities, from improved health to better educational facilities and improved standard of

living,” (Holsten, 2014) or in other words energy is important or one of the requirements to

develop the civilization in their community. Hydropower was probably the first renewable

energy source in the world to be exploited and one of mankind’s first sources of mechanical

power (Breeze, 2018). Also, Hydropower is one of the cheapest sources of energy available

(Breeze, 2018).

Hydropower is a method of generating electricity that uses moving water (kinetic

energy) to produce electricity. The energy of this water flows, can be tapped to produce

electricity or for mechanical tasks like grinding grain. Hydropower uses water that is not

reduced or used up in the process. Because water cycle is an endless, it’s like constantly

recharging system, hydropower is considered a renewable energy. When flowing water is

captured and turned into electricity, it is called Hydroelectricity or hydropower. The turbines

and generator convert the energy into electricity, which is fed into electrical grid to be used in

homes.
 In large scale hydropower plant, water drives large turbines and dams are required for

subsequent discharge to store water in lakes, reservoirs and waterways. For power generation

as well as for irrigation, industrial or domestic use, stored water can be used. While large scale

hydropower is known in many countries as a clean and reliable source of energy, it has

important environmental and social effects. A reservoir development often in big quantities of

methane production, a powerful greenhouse gas.

The problems with the large-scale hydropower much broader impacts than small scale

hydropower projects on the environment. One of this is, fish can get drawn into turbines, have

increase predation due to altered habitats, and have been shown to suffer from stress and get

injuries passing through hydroelectric dams.

Dams also have a significant effect on local wildlife, ecosystems and result in local

inhabitants being displaced. The hydropower sector invests in research and mitigation

initiatives to decrease the adverse environmental effects.

The project will focus upon a community in a remote part of Norzagaray, Bulacan run

by the aboriginal owners. As the community of Dumagat Tribe faces electricity issues and at

risk every night due to absence of lights, many of them thinking about their safety, particularly

the children who study every night. Recent studies have proven that there is a correlation

between lighting and humans’ performance and health. Light does not only provide visual

information but also constitutes a powerful modulator of non-visual functions including state

of alertness, mental focus, and cognitive performance (Vandewalle G, 2009). The outcome of

this project can give them information, may assist them to their problems to minimize and
prevent the high-risk every night and could provide a better learning place for children with

their resources, particularly the Angat Dam.

The purpose of this project is to assist the Dumagat Tribe in the area of Norzagaray,

Bulacan which is the main problem of their community is electricity. The use of Hydropower

to their community is very appropriate due to their location, right next to the Angat Dam and

other water reservoir.

RELATED LITERATURE

Hydroelectricity provides an alternative to new investment in coal-based generation

for industrializing countries whose power needs are growing rapidly. Coupled with other

renewables, hydroelectricity provides these countries a pathway to low-carbon growth.

Increased investment into small hydropower features prominently in planned climate actions

of most countries both for supplying their grids and for providing electricity in regions of the

countries that remain under-electrified. Where resources exist, micro-hydro often provides the

lowest cost source of power to remote communities. (Karki, 2017)

References
Breeze, P. (2018). Hydropower. London: Elsivier.

Holsten, H. H. (2014, February 27). Solar energy provides electricity in remote areas. Retrieved from
sciencenorway: https://partner.sciencenorway.no/africa-forskningno-norway/solar-energy-
provides-electricity-in-remote-areas/1397435

How Hydropower Works. (n.d.). Retrieved from US Department of Energy:

https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/how-hydropower-works

Vandewalle G, M. P. (2009). Light as a modulator of cognitive brain function. NCBI, vol. 13, pp. 429–
438.
Wyatt, K. K. (2013, August 21). Providing Light to the Rural Poor of India. Retrieved from
rockfellerfoundation: https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/blog/providing-light-rural-
poor-india/