Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

National University of Singapore

ES2531/ES1531 Critical Thinking and Writing

Assignment 2

2020/2021 Semester 2

Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Brandon Lee Jun An (A0201241E)

Shen Shu Hsuan (A0205558B)

Loh Ching Yianne (A0204764E)

Declaration

We declare that we have taken the plagiarism quiz, understand what plagiarism is and have ensured

that this assignment is our own work and does not involve plagiarism. The sources of other people’s

work have been appropriately acknowledged.

B.L.J.A L.C.Y S.S.H

Signatures (Type your initials above the line)

Date: 19 March 2021

 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

ARGUMENT FRAMEWORK
Main Claim: Upcycle Eco-charger technology (UECT) and biofuel generating technology (BGT) in each household of the province Preah
Vihear in Cambodia will solve energy insecurity, by providing citizens with more reliable and sustainable energy compared to the current
measures of using solar panels and renewable energy sources. [PS5][PS11]

Key Argument 1:
Preah Vihear,Cambodia is
facing energy insecurity,
which is characterized by
an interrupted supply of
energy.
Indicator: A survey has
found that the average
energy consumption per
household in rural areas
and urban areas was 870
and 1467kWh respectively.
[1] . The stark difference in
energy usage highlights the
issue of energy insecurity
in rural areas.
Significance: Lack of
sustainable and reliable
energy denies many
households from powering
any electrical appliances.
Cambodia is an agricultural
country, where over 85% of
the population live in rural
areas with agriculture as the
main profession. Their
livelihood depends mainly
on agriculture: farming,
fishing, livestock, forest
and non-forest products[2].
Not having access to
electricity puts the rural
area at a disadvantage when
it comes to agricultural
activities as modern
technology like GPS or
moisture sensors increases
productivity and
profitability. This prevents
rural provinces from
urbanising compared to the
rest of Cambodia.
Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia
Key Argument 2:
Due to the lack of connection to
grid electricity and an inadequate
supply of energy, the residents of
Preah Vihear lack an uninterrupted
source of energy.
Cause 1:According to the UNDP
government organization,only 7.9
percent of Camodians living in
rural areas have access to grid
electricity. [1]This results in
limited access to electricity.Current
measures include using lead acid
(LA)batteries or kerosene to supply
electricity as they do not require a
connection to the power grid.
Unfortunately, it pollutes the
environment and is very
unsustainable. This would heavily
limit the usage and reliance on said
power sources. Thus, current
measures still fail to improve upon
uninterrupted energy availability
for the poor. Moreover,the main
power supply is still concentrated
towards urban areas, leaving rural
areas without access to grid
electricity. The solution should
provide energy in a way that
bypasses the need for a connection
to the power grid.
Cause 2:Authorities on
electrification in Cambodia state
that energy demand is growing on
average, eighteen percent per year.
[3]. This could be due to an
increased reliance on electrical
appliances that will allow the
country to urbanize. Since the
demand for power has surged,the
present supply of energy is
inadequate in Cambodia. The
poorest are not prioritized when it
comes to the distribution of energy.
Hence, it is necessary that residents
in rural areas are self-sufficient
when it comes to energy production
as the current supply is not
sufficient in meeting their needs.
Loh Ching Yianne, Shen Shu Hsuan, Brandon Lee Jun An
Key Argument 3: Key Argument 4:
SC:Current measures Using UECT and BGT provides more reliable
to solve Cambodia’s energy than solar panels and more sustainable
energy insecurity are energy than non-renewable sources of energy
the use of solar panels respectively.
and non-renewable Proposed Solution 1: UECT generates
energy like natural electricity from cycling on a stationary bicycle.
resources and batteries Install UECT units into every household in
Evaluative Criteria: Preah Vihear. [PS3]
The evaluative criterias Evaluation 1: UECT can generate sufficient
are consistency, energy from cycling to power several
efficiency and household appliances such as televisions, lights
sustainability. and washing machines, as well as electronic
Consistency means devices such as mobile phones. UECT can be
being able to generate operated at any point of the day, and has a
energy despite external higher energy efficiency as compared to solar
conditions like weather panels. [PS5]
and time. Efficiency Limitations and Counter proposals: UECT
refers to how well the equipment may malfunction after repeated use.
energy transforms. However, this can be mitigated through regular
Sustainability means maintenance of equipment, which is shown to
whether the sources are increase product lifespan. This knowledge can
available in the long be taught to the locals via illustrative
run. instructions provided with the product. [PS7]
P1: The use of solar Proposed Solution 2: BGT converts bio-waste
panel is not feasible as into biofuel that can be used to supply energy
its costly, inconsistent to Preah Vihear. BGT units can be installed
due to its high near agricultural sites that produce large
dependency on time of volumes of biomass. [PS9]
the day and weather, Evaluation 2: Cambodia’s climate promotes
and low efficiency rate year long agricultural activities that produces
of only 25% bio-waste. Bio-waste is a renewable source of
P2: The use of non- energy, making it a sustainable approach to
renewable energy solving the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear.
sources are not This will minimize the depletion of natural
sustainable as natural resources. [PS11]
resources have a short Limitations and counter proposal: Abnormal
lifespan which also climate changes such as floods and droughts
causes it to have a high affect the amount of biowaste available as
cost, and its low crops are unable to be harvested. However, this
efficiency. Batteries can be mitigated through the construction of
have limited usage and anti flooding canals and water irrigation
it pollutes the systems. This will decrease the impact of such
environment to a great climate changes on bio-waste. [PS13]
extent. This makes it an
unsustainable source of
energy.
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Problem

The importance of a sustainable, reliable source of energy for our daily needs cannot

be overlooked. Unfortunately, even in 2016, 13% of the world’s population still do not have

access to energy in the form of electricity.[1] Electricity is crucial for poverty alleviation,

economic growth and better living conditions, therefore the problem of energy insecurity

needs to be promptly addressed.

Preah Vihear, Cambodia is facing an energy insecurity crisis, which is characterized

by an interrupted supply of energy. A survey has found that the average energy consumption

per household in rural areas and urban areas was 870 and 1467kWh respectively.[1] The

stark difference in energy usage highlights the issue of energy insecurity in rural areas. This

has many detrimental impacts on the economic growth of rural areas like Preah Vihear.

A lack of sustainable and reliable energy denies many households from powering any

electrical appliances. Cambodia is an agricultural country, where over 85% of the population

live in rural areas with agriculture as the main profession. Their livelihood depends mainly on

agriculture: farming, fishing, livestock, forest and non-forest products.[2] Not having access

to electricity puts the rural area at a disadvantage when it comes to agricultural activities as

modern technology like GPS or moisture sensors increases productivity and profitability. The

decrease in efficiency and profits as compared to urban areas means that efforts to increase

energy accessibility will be hindered. This creates a vicious cycle, and in the long run, this

prevents rural provinces from urbanising compared to the rest of Cambodia as a sustainable

energy supply is integral for modernization.

The introduction of a reliable energy source, the Upcycle Eco-Charger, that swiftly

delivers energy and also has a low barrier to entry when it comes to implementation could be
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

the solution for Preah Vihear’s energy woes. The availability of abundant and sustainable

energy will alleviate energy insecurity.

Causes

The lack of connection to electricity grids in rural areas:

According to the UNDP government organization, only 7.9 percent of Camodians

living in rural areas have access to grid electricity.[1]Not being connected to the power grid

means that there is limited access to electricity. Current measures include using lead acid

(LA)batteries or kerosene to supply electricity as they do not require a connection to the

power grid. Unfortunately, it pollutes the environment and is very unsustainable. LA

batteries’ lead content and electrolyte make the battery environmentally unfriendly and it has

a low energy density. This would heavily limit the usage and reliance on said power sources.

Thus, current measures still fail to improve upon uninterrupted energy availability for the

poor. Moreover, the main power supply is still concentrated towards commercially viable

urban areas, leaving rural, low-income areas without access to grid electricity.

Not having access to the grid electricity and having to rely on unsustainable sources

of power means many residents do not have uninterrupted availability of energy sources.

Hence, the solution should provide energy in a way that bypasses the need for a connection to

the power grid. This is where the Upcycle technology comes into play.

An inadequate supply of energy that cannot keep up with the growing demand:

Authorities on rural electrification in Cambodia state that energy demand is growing

on average,eighteen percent per year.[3]This could be due to an increased reliance on

electrical appliances that will allow the country to urbanize. Since the demand for power has

surged,the present supply of energy is inadequate in Cambodia. The poorest are not
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

prioritized when it comes to the distribution of energy. Energy insecurity in such areas

worsen as a paltry percentage of the overall supply of electricity in Cambodia is available to

those in rural areas. The reason stems from the cost of energy. Prices surge when demand far

outweighs the supply, meaning that the poor can no longer afford the electricity required for

their day to day activities. Hence, it is necessary that residents in rural areas are self-sufficient

when it comes to their own energy production as the energy available to them via

conventional means, grid electricity and batteries, is not sufficient in meeting their needs.

This is what our proposed solution aims to accomplish, a product which does not pollute the

environment or require supporting infrastructure to operate, making it a sustainable and

reliable alternative.

Current measures

Two current measures, which are installing solar panels and using non-renewable

energy to power up electrical appliances are deemed to be inadequate and ineffective on a

large scale. The evaluative criteria are consistency, efficiency and sustainability. Consistency

means being able to generate energy despite external conditions like weather and time.

Efficiency refers to how well the energy transforms. Sustainability means whether the

sources are available in the long run.

Solar panels:

One method is using solar energy, this is a form of renewable energy source currently

used in Cambodia. Solar power is increasingly being used in rural areas of Cambodia around

12,000 solar home systems have been installed in rural areas since 2012.[4] However, the

amount of energy produced is inconsistent as solar panels only gather light energy during the

daytime. Moreover, Cambodia’s wet season runs from May to October [5], and during wet

season there will be significantly lower sunlight which causes a lower in energy production.
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Solar energy has an energy efficiency of about 25% and a lifespan of about 20 years [6],

which means every 100 units of solar energy stored only 25 units can be used, which is

relatively low compared to other form of renewable energy like wind power which has an

average of 30% and peaks at 50% efficiency rate.[7] Even though a solar panel has a lifespan

of 20 years, it is prone to damage by wind and UV light [6], and it is costly to repair and it

may be difficult to find professionals to do it because talents are usually concentrated in

cities.[8] Although solar panels give people living in rural areas an energy source, it does not

solve the problem of over consuming. Due to its inconsistency and low efficiency, solar

panels are deemed to be ineffective in solving Cambodia’s energy insecurity.

Non-renewable energy:

Another method is using non-renewable energy like fossil fuels and disposable

batteries to power up electrical appliances. Some families in rural areas of Cambodia use

disposable batteries as their source of energy. However, the electrical appliances that can be

powered by batteries are very limited, and it doesn’t solve the energy insecurity problem to a

large extent because they are still unable to use larger electrical appliances like washing

machines and cooking appliances. Moreover, disposable batteries are harmful to the

environment, as the energy from batteries are depleted, the battery shells have to be disposed

of through landfills or incinerate, hence are an environmental detriment.[9] From the

Principle of sustainable engineering, it is not a sustainable solution because it is not

preventing waste nor conserving the ecosystem.

On the other hand, fossil fuels are likely to run out in roughly 50 years,[10] hence its

cost is high and potentially rising. Moreover, using natural resources is only helpful to those

people that are connected to the grid since large facilities like power plants are required to

utilize natural resources. However, most families that are facing energy insecurity live in the
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

rural areas. Due to its low sustainability and poorly targeted problem, using non-renewable

energy is not an effective solution to Cambodia’s energy insecurity issue.

Proposed Solutions

After evaluating the current measures to solve the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear,

it can be concluded that reliance on Solar panels and non-renewable sources of energy are

unreliable and unsustainable respectively. Therefore, two solutions are proposed: installing a

device that generates electricity in every household and using technology that converts

organic matter into renewable fuel.

Upcycle Eco-charger Technology (UECT):

UECT is a technology that produces energy from pedalling on a stationary bicycle.

Energy is produced and stored in a cell, and can be dispensed whenever needed. The UECT

unit can be installed in every household, serving as a mainstream energy source that can

power household electrical devices. An hour of stationary cycling can provide up to 250W of

energy.[11] For reference, this is able to power multiple household appliances at once, such

as light bulbs, washing machines and television.[12]

In addition, the power generation by UECT is independent with the time of the day or

season, as the machine can be operated whenever energy is needed. Thus, UECT produces

more reliable energy in contrast to the current measures existing, which relies on energy

generated from solar panels. The benefit of UECT is the ability to generate instantaneous

energy generated within a short period of time. UECT has a large power efficiency, which is

about 85%[13] as compared to solar panels at 15%.[14] As a result, an hour of cycling is

equivalent to about six hours of energy collection using solar panels.[15]

The limitation of this proposed solution is the likelihood of machine malfunctions.

This would require highly-skilled maintenance work in order to repair these malfunctions.

The citizens of Preah Vihear may not possess the technological knowledge involved to make
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

self-repairs and self-adjustment should the UECT machine malfunction. Any maintenance

work would have to be outsourced to a town in Cambodia or a repair shop nearby. However,

this problem can be minimized significantly through proper care and maintenance of the

machine. Compared to an eco-gym, where UECT are in operation on average 8 hours per

day, the expected lifespan for a well-maintained stationary bicycle is 10 years longer than one

that neglected its maintenance.[16] Maintenance instructions can be printed through easy to

follow step-by-step pictorial pamphlets along with the product. Based on Preah Vihear’s

literacy rates and educational level, the use of illustrations is shown to boost the locals’

receptiveness to instructions, when followed, will decrease malfunction rates of the

equipment.[17]

Biofuel Generator Technology (BGT):

BGT is a technology that converts organic waste into biofuel, a renewable source of

energy. Preah Vihear is considered an agricultural province, providing year-long crop

production.[18] As a result, Preah Vihear produces a large volume of organic waste from

both rice farms and sugar plantations.[19] Installing this technology nearby households can

provide them with sustainable energy from biofuel.

Although the current measures do tackle the energy insecurity problem, they are

unsustainable. The use of non-renewable sources of energy depletes natural resources,

making both options unsustainable. On the other hand, the resources required to produce

biofuel comes from organic waste. The usage of biofuel does not deplete natural resources,

instead reduces the waste product by agricultural practices, by making biofuel, a more

sustainable solution to solve energy insecurity.

The biofuel produces about 4000W per kilogram, while the average household in

Preah Vihear uses less than 500W on a daily basis.[20] In comparison to batteries that
 Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

produce 3W per shell and natural gases that produce about 4500W per kilogram, biofuel is

shown to be a suitable substitute for the non-renewable sources of energy.[21]

The BGT requires a constant input of organic waste in order to be considered a sustainable

and abundant source of energy. This organic waste comes from crops. The limitation to this

proposed solution is that organic waste is dependent on crop production, which is influenced

by climate changes. Preah Vihear is occasionally subjected to droughts and floods, which

decreases the crop production and thus the amount of organic waste produced.[22]

Countermeasures in anticipation of predictable climate changes such as flood and drought

seasons include climate control mitigations such as flood control channels and water

irrigation systems can be adopted. These methods are currently implemented in the

Netherlands and are shown effective, saving about 1.6million acres of fertile land from

destruction.[23]

(1943 words)

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Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Annotated Bibliography
Evaluation of the energy insecurity in Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Appendix A