Hydram: A Low Carbon Technology - Lachana Shresthacharya

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W
hen we think about green economy, quickly three words
come into mind ‘low carbon, resource efficient, socially
inclusive’. UNEP defines green economy as one that
results in improved human well-being and social equity, while
significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
This article explains appropriateness of hydraulic ram pump
(Hydram) technology for Nepal in the context of green economy.
Water for Agriculture
The average increase in temperature in Dhading is around 0.02o
C
a year, as indicated by the Department of Hydrology and Metrology,
Nepal based on the records from 1995-2007. Similarly, a lot of
fluctuation has been recorded for rainfall. The local residents and
farmers have felt adverse effects of these changing climatic
conditions. With inadequate water supply for irrigation resulting
from drought conditions during sowing period, farmers are facing
loss in production.
While the country is blessed with numerous rivers and streams
fed by snow melting in high Himalayas, however, water is not
available to the communities for drinking, farming and irrigation
as they reside at higher elevation. Due to the difference in the
level of river and the residential area and cultivable land, there is
a need to uplift water through up to the height. Hydram seems to
be an ideal technology which is ‘resource efficient, low carbon
and socially inclusive’ one. This technology can play a role in
changing energy consumption pattern currently existing in Nepal.
The hydram concept was first developed in France in 1796. By
the end of the twentieth century, interest in hydrams increased,
owing to the need for sustainable technologies worldwide.
Similarly, in Nepal the technology which was introduced decades
Lachana Shresthacharya
Hydram
A low carbon technology
While the country is blessed with numerous rivers and
streams fed by snow melting in high Himalayas, however,
water is not available to the communities for drinking,
farming and irrigation owing to higher elevation. Hydram
is a resource efficient and low carbon technology to
address the issue.
Hydram Technology
A hydraulic ram pump (hydram) is an automatic pumping device
which uses a large flow of water falling through a small head, to
lift a small flow of water through a higher head. In simple words,
this renewable energy technology uses power available from
flowing water to lift certain volume of water to a greater height
where it is required. The moving parts of the hydram are only two
valves; therefore it is mechanically very simple. This gives high
reliability, low operating costs, minimal maintenance and a long
operation life to the system. In short, it is a ‘resource efficient’and
‘low carbon’ technology.
Hydram installed in Dhading district in Nepal
ago was revived. Presently, the Centre for Rural technology, Nepal
(CRT/N) is actively promoting this technology in the country. Two
hydram systems were installed in Dhading district as pilot projects
with technical support from CRT/N.
It is reported that energy consumption in agriculture sector is
mainly for tractor and water pumping. About 95% of the total
agricultural energy comes from petroleum products specially diesel
fuel, while electricity consumption is increasing by about 8 %

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annually. There are a few cases where solar pumping is applicable
for irrigation but high investment cost hinders its smooth promotion
in the country. The share of renewable energy resources in overall
consumption in Nepal is only 1 % where use of renewable energy
technology in agriculture sector is negligible.
Hydram is identified as one of the appropriate technologies for
the micro-irrigation in Nepal, which has potential to support efforts
towards greening the economy. Communities are planning to install
hydram for micro-irrigation purpose in the district, where irrigated
agriculture is less in practice. It is expected to enhance livelihood
opportunities such as animal husbandry, farming, and kitchen
gardening for income generation contributing to poverty reduction
The pilot initiative
The hydram systems are successfully operating at Sunaula Bazaar
and Mahadevsthan Village Development Committees of Dhading
district, for drinking and sanitation purpose respectively. People
of Sunaula Bazaar and Mahadevsthan villages in Dhading district
now have easy access to drinking water through water lifted by
hydram. Earlier, they had to walk for about half an hour
Photo:CourtesyCRT/N
downstream to fetch drinking water. A beneficiary from Sunaula
Bazaar says, “We now have clean drinking water. It has saved our
time to collect water. It is incredible that water is lifted without
electricity or generator.” Similarly, the hydram system at
Mahadevsthan has provided water for sanitation and hygiene
benefiting 600 students and teachers in the school. Communities
are directly involved from the initial stage of the project including
installation of the hydram. They contributed labor in kind “Shram
daan” by helping in carrying out civil works for installation of
the system. Water users group with women and socially excluded
groups have been formed. “Now these girls do not have to miss
their classes during menstruation period. The toilets here are now
clean as adequate water is made available through hydram”, says
a teacher from Mahadevsthan.
The success of the pilot initiative has motivated communities to
use the technology for micro irrigation.
Lachana Shresthacharya is the Programme officer at Center for
Rural Technology, Nepal. She can be contacted at
lachana@crtnepal.org
The hydram system at Mahadevsthan has
provided water for sanitation and hygiene
benefiting 600 students and teachers
in the school.
Community members contributing labor during the installation of Hydram at Mahadevsthan