Electricity Supply For Trekkers and Climbers

Options could be:

1. Micro Hydro Power Plant
2. Wind Turbine
3. Solar Power System
4. Sound Proof Diesel Generator
5. Extension of TD Lines from existing hydel station Testay

As the are is far away from existing hydel station i.e. more than 80 Km and the
terrain is mountainous and prone to slides and avalanches, therefore option 5
is not feasible.
Regarding option 4, the noise level of diesel generators can be reduced
through the use of canopy, within the audible range, however completely
sound proof system is not available, therefore it is also not a valid option.
Wind turbine is a good option and a 5 kW wind turbine can cost 3.000 to
4.000 million however its purchase and installation may take 6 to 8
months time.
Micro hydro is also a good option and NORHYDRO has a patent for low head micro
hydro power plants. Moreover some micro hydro power plant manufacturers are
available in Pakistan and 5 kW to 10 kW micro hydro plants can be constructed within
the cost of Rs. 50 to 60 million.

The most feasible and easy to install and use system will be solar system. So the solar
system will be explored in detail:
 Solar System for Trekkers and Mountaineers at K2 base camp,
Concordia and Broad Peak.

Exact load of the system is not known as no data is available. However for calculation
we assume that a camp uses electricity for lighting and charging for electronic
equipment like camera and mobile.
Let’s assume that lighting load is 20 LED bulbs of 10 W and it is used 10 hours
daily.
150 mobiles each of 7200 mAH.
150 Thuraya set 8000 mAH each
150 Chargeable Light Torch each of 2600 mWh

Power of load Operating Total Energy

Load Name No of loads Total Power
(W) Hours (WH)

LED 50 10 500 10 5000

Thuraya Set 8000 mAH 150 600 4440
Mobile 7200 mAH 150 1080 4536
Chargeable torch 2600 mWh 150 390 390
14366
Quantity of Solar Panels
Total Energy Required= 14366 WH=14.366 kWH
Let’s consider 5 hours daylight is available and system efficiency is 70%
So power required from solar panel=14366/(5x0.70)=3936
So we select 4250 Watt
17 Solar panels of 250 Watt capacity are needed.
Selection of Batteries
Total Power Required per day= 2874 Watt
Total Energy required per day= 14366 Watt Hour
Total Required Battery Capacity=Backup Energy Required Per Day/(Battery
VoltagexDepth of dischargexEfficiency)
=14366/(12x.85x.85)=1657 AH

Say=1800 AH
So 9 Nos 12V 200 AH Batteries are required
Inverter Selection
Total Power Required Per Day= Total Power per dayX safety factor/efficiency
=2874x1.25/0.85= 4226 Watt
=Say 4250 Watt
Charge Controller
Charge Controller Current= Solar Panel Power/Battery Bank Voltage
=4250/12= 355 A
So the system specifications will be
Solar Panel = 4250 Watts (250 Wx 17 panels)
Battery Bank = 100 AH (200 AHx 9 Batteries)
Inverter = 4250 W
Charge Controller = 355 A
Cables and leads
A Cabin to house batteries, Charge controller and inverter
Structure for installation of panels

Estimated Cost will be 2.000 million to 2.5 million