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FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan — The Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team working out of Forward Operating Base Sharana in eastern Afghanistan has planned and implemented a concept that utilizes alternative energy to power the Sharana District Center Hospital.
"It is a benefit, because we can afford something that requires little to no maintenance for them, and little to no operating cost, so it's much more sustainable than generators," said U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Ryan Thrun, a Paktika PRT engineer.
The project is contracted out to Sustainable Energy Sources of Afghanistan, a non-government agency that will provide solar and wind alternatives.
"It is going to be two wind turbines, which will produce 7.5 kilowatts an hour. There will also be 24 solar panels installed on the top of the roof, which will provide 200 watts each, per hour," Thrun said.
While the additions won't create an exclusive source of energy, they will supplement the current energy sources, drastically improving the efficiency of the hospital.
"This is equivalent to a 15 kilowatt generator, based on our assessment of the typical efficiency and amount of wind that we anticipate," Thrun said. "It will be sufficient to supply lighting power to the hospital. The hospital is still going to require generator use to run heating and cooling, and the cooler for the mortuary."
Besides offering a low-maintenance solution, the wind and solar generation will considerably reduce monthly overhead costs.
"To run a 10 kilowatt generator each month costs approximately $800. So it is at least an $800 per month savings," Thrun said.
To remedy the typical alternative energy challenges such as lack of wind or sunlight, the PRT plans to utilize an energy storage system.
"It is not going to operate at maximum efficiency all the time. Obviously at night they won't get solar power," he said. "However, there is a structure that will be installed with power inverters and battery banks to store all the generated electricity that is not being used."
The project will not only benefit the hospital, but the results will be used as research to determine whether similar projects should be undertaken throughout Paktika province.
"This will be the first wind and solar project of this size for Paktika," he explained. "It's a test pilot project. The analysis at the hospital found that it would be a feasible project, and it will be used to support research done on the benefit of [alternative energy] for the rest of the province."
The PRT and the Paktika government directors expect development and use of these projects to increase over the coming years.
"Anecdotally, looking at the wind and the amount of sunlight here, alternate power should be sought after and implemented at facilities of this size," said U.S. Navy Lt. David Bennett, the physicians assistant for the PRT, who works alongside the Provincial Health Director, Dr. Abdul Mateen, to assess and improve the healthcare situation in Paktika.
Bennett said the Director and local residents are excited and enthusiastic about the program.
In addition to the alternative energy solutions, the PRT has focused on several aspects of refurbishment for the hospital.
"We have several projects right now," said Thrun. "We are redoing the road that goes around the hospital, we repaired the roof structure, we are constructing a kitchen building and a mortuary with all the necessary equipment and furnishing. We are also putting in some apartments for the family members of the patients."
Bennett said the hospital currently treats more than 100,000 patients each year.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2009 10:51 |
| Story ID: | 35076 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, AF |
| Web Views: | 619 |
| Downloads: | 583 |
This work, Alternative energy to revitalize local hospital, by PFC Andrya Hill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
