Husk Power

completed

IFC is proposing a corporate investment in Husk Power Systems Incorporated to part finance HPS’s expansion plan(“Project”). Founded in 2008, Husk Power provides off-grid power to rural Indian villages of 200-500 households. Each of Husk Power’s “micro/mini power plants” uses rice husk gasifier coupled with an engine-generator to generate power (35-100 kW installed capacity). Further, HPS also puts in place a distribution system in the village, which delivers electricity as a “pay-for-use” service using a point-to-point system that connects each household or business directly to the HPS power station. Husk Power presently has about 25 operating facilities and is in the process of expanding the number of such off grid power generation – distribution facilities to about 100 by end of 2010. Typically, each of Husk Power’s off grid generation and distribution system is located on plots of sizes from 2000 ft2 to 5000 ft2. The land is usually leased from a local landowner for a period of 10 years. The generation unit is comprised of a; downward draft rice husk gasifier (40-50 kg husk/hr r gas); venturi/gas cleaning cum cooling system; water seal; three stage gas filters including charcoal filter; husk/saw dust filter and fabric filter; spark ignition engine and generator unit; 2 lead acid batteries for cranking the engine; and the power bus/panels. The facility also includes husk storage area, water tank, hand operated water pump, char and tar water settling tanks, char/tar storage area and water recycling pumps. The electricity generated is 3-phase – 415 Volts at the bus bar in the plant, and each phase being 230 Volts. Each of the 3-phases at 230 Volts constitutes one distribution circuit. The distribution grid is comprised of single phase lines extended into various parts of the village from which connections that feed into each household are drawn. The distribution system is comprised of double sheath cables mounted on bamboo poles and does not use transformers. Hence, the grid is not extended beyond 1.5 km to ensure at least 190 Volt at the farthest point on the grid. The Company enters into husk purchase agreement with local rice mill owners and maintains a husk stock of no more than 5 days. Generally, the plant is operated for 6 – 8 hours as electricity is supplied to domestic and commercial consumers for fixed 6 - 8 hours in the evening.