News
News 2010
LIRE celebrates World Toilet Day
Friday, 19 November 2010
The Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) is a proud supporter of the world toilet day, held on November 19. The day raises awareness for sanitation, an often neglected but crucial aspect of our daily life. Proper sanitation is crucial for our health and wellbeing as well as the environment. Poor sanitation is the cause for at least 3 million disease episodes and 6000 premature deaths annually.
In 2008, LIRE, together with the Bremen Overseas Research Development Association (BORDA), commenced research and development on sanitation activities in the Lao PDR, where sanitation is at a critical stage. Only 52% of the national population and about 18% of schools have access to wastewater treatment systems. Systems to treat the wastewater are only available in some areas of the capital town while in rural areas, 80% of the people are not connected to any form of sanitation.
Since June 2009, LIRE and BORDA have been focusing on promoting the “Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems for Community Based Sanitation and School Based Sanitation” (DEWATS - CBS & SBS) as well as for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
DEWATS offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment on the local level and an alternative to conventional centralised approach or on-site options. Without technical energy inputs and low maintenance requirements DEWATS can improve sanitation conditions in areas with no, or inadequate, sanitation facilities. LIRE and BORDA aim to provide more than just technical infrastructure. In cooperation with the local communities, governments, NGOs and the private sector, suitable projects are developed and the various DEWATS modules are designed to respond to the specific social, economic and environmental conditions. Participation and dialogue with users and other stakeholders as well as hygiene education are important steps in ensuring that the provided infrastructure is used in an integrated and sustainable manner.
In March 2010, the first DEWATS plant constructed in Laos was officially opened at the staff dormitory of the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos in Vientiane, with the participation of representatives from government departments, as well as international organisations such as SNV Netherlands and the World Bank. To date, LIRE and BORDA have built 2 CBS sites in Lao PDR and one SBS site for the health and comfort of 387 people.
In-house Training on Detailed Feasibility Study of Pico/Micro Hydro Power
Sunday, 14 November 2010
You are cordially invited to join us for an upcoming course organised by The Lao Institute for Renewable Energy. A 20 hour training course on Pico/Micro Hydro Power will take place on a weekly basis, starting 26th November 2010.
This training is open to anyone who has an interest in the technical design of small scale hydro schemes. The participant must have basic knowledge in math and physics.
The course aims to strengthen the technical capacity of participants, providing the theory needed to further develop small scale hydro power in Lao PDR. The course will be presented in both Lao and English language.
More information about the course outline, schedule and registration can be found here: English, Lao
LIRE teams up with German organisations to bring light to remote Lao villages
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
In September 2010, a solar lantern charging station with 45 solar lanterns was installed in a remote village in Xieng Khouang province, bringing electricity and light to 265 villagers. The project is the result of collaboration between key partners: LIRE, Solaventus Foundation, a thrust that supports renewable energy and drinking water projects in developing countries and emerging markets, and LIRE’s implementation partner, Sunlabob. Through the Solaventus Foundation, German solar company KaiserSolar and German CSR consulting firm eco:factum funded the installation of the solar systems in the village.
As of 2008, more than 40% of Lao households have no access to electricity. In rural areas, villagers use kerosene lamps or candles to illuminate their homes at night, resulting in the emission of smoke which eventually gets into the lungs of women and children who spend much time in the house at night to cook, do homework or work.
With the newly installed solar lantern system, villagers can now receive light without smoke and CO2 pollution. The solar lamps are charged in the village owned central charging station for a small fee, comparable to the fee for purchasing kerosene. The charging station is operated by a local technician in the village. Using rental revenue, he buys parts for the lamps, and conducts regular maintenance on the lamps. This ensures that the system is well maintained and also gives the village technician an opportunity to make a living for themselves and their family.
BORDA-SEA expert conducts EDMS and QMS training for LIRE-DEWATS Team
Thursday, 05 August 2010
The DEWATS team of the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) had the pleasure of receiving a two-day training on the Electronic Data Management System (EDMS) and Quality Management System (QMS) from a BORDA –SEA (Southeast Asia) expert. The objective of the training, which took place on July 13 and 14 in Vientiane, Laos, was to introduce the latest version of the BORDA Quality Management System (QMS). The QMS defines the technical steps of DEWATS implementation, as well as the new Electronic Data Management System developed by BORDA SEA and Indonesian network-partners. The data bank comprises relevant files and documents from all Southeast Asian partners. This is especially helpful for the LIRE-DEWATS Team since the DEWATS programme is still new in Laos.
The first day of training was carried out at the LIRE office and the team learnt about the EDMS, database, R/D data as well as how to monitor activities. That knowledge was then applied during a simulation at the DEWATS project site at the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) the following day. The DEWATS plant, which was the first to be implemented in the Lao PDR, was monitored using the new QMS detailed monitoring form. During the simulation, the engineers as well as the community facilitator received instructions on how to conduct the monitoring. The whole DEWATS plant, from settler to effluent discharge, was checked by the team.
The DEWATS plant was handed over to the dormitory residents of FOE on March 31, 2010. The operator, who was selected by DEWATS users at the dormitory, was interviewed about the operation and maintenance of the DEWATS plant. After the monitoring simulation at the project site, a discussion and evaluation of the monitoring activity completed the whole training workshop.
The LIRE-DEWATS Team is glad to have received the training as it equipped them with the knowledge on how to document and monitor future DEWATS projects in the Lao PDR.
School and Community Based Sanitation project kicks off in the Lao PDR
Friday, 23 July 2010
The second phase of the School Based Sanitation (SBS) and Community Based Sanitation (CBS) project, a joint-cooperation project between the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has kicked off in July 2010. This follows the successful completion of the project’s first phase from October 2009 to March 2010.
On July 1, 2010, LIRE and the JICA Study Team signed an Agreement in Vientiane, Lao PDR for further collaboration on the CBS and SBS projects.
While the first phase of the collaboration comprises of the preparation and the selection of the project location the second phase focuses on the implementation of the CBS and SBS project in locations which have been selected through several feasibility studies and Rapid Participatory Assessments (RPA). Project implementation is scheduled for July 2010 to March 2011.
Based on the DEWATS - CBS & SBS framework and principles from BORDA, project planning, implementation and management are carried out on a multi-stakeholder approach. Therefore, community and school meetings were initiated to set up a Community and School Action Plan for the implementation of DEWATS in close cooperation with different stakeholders such as the community, government departments and cooperation agencies. The involvement and participation from the community and school will be strongly emphasized during the development of the Action Plan, which will empower beneficiaries as it allows communities to participate and contribute ideas. The Community Action Plan meetings will commence in July, prior to the DEWATS construction projected for September 2010.
The CBS and SBS pilot projects are alternative options for wastewater treatment in the Lao PDR and may be disseminated after they have been completed successfully. The pilot projects are integrated into the Vientiane Master Plan on Water Environment Management in the Lao PDR, provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA Study Team).
The Joint cooperation project on DEWATS CBS & SBS on the improvement of Water Environment in Vientiane Capital is not merely focused on providing the hard facilities and technology but also focuses on providing the soft components which include Environmental Education as well as Health and Hygiene Education Training for the community and students.
LIRE provides pico-hydropower systems training to Sunlabob staff
Friday, 14 May 2010
On May 12, LIRE provided a training session on pico-hydropower systems to Sunlabob staff at the Lao Institute of Renewable Energy.
During the 2-hour training session, LIRE staff shared findings on their pico-hydropower systems research, and also touched on other pico related topics such as installation and maintenance methods and appropriate areas to install the pico-hydro turbines.
LIRE has also organised for a follow up training session to be held at a local village stream within the next two months. The aim of this session is to provide Sunlabob trainees with practical experience on site assessment and flow measurements. Sunlabob technicians will also be taught how to identify potential pico sites in the field.
In November 2008, LIRE partnered with ETC Energy and began a “Pico-hydropower Innovation and Capacity Building Programme”. Since then, the research institute has been very involved in all aspects of pico activities and even provided pico-hydropower training to technical advisors at provincial, district and village level.
Annual Report 2009 released
Thursday, 29 April 2010
2009 was an exciting year for the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy. Similarly as LIRE did in the former years, the Institute was able to move in a bigger office, increase the staff capacity and engage in exciting partnerships and assignments which highlights the positive direction LIRE is experiencing.
The visibility and impact of LIRE’s activities has increased tremendously in 2009. LIRE provided free consultations to numerous study teams on mission and provided information and data to them in order to facilitate their work. The LIRE website welcomed over 5000 visitors per month, underlining LIRE’s role as a resource centre for renewable energy stakeholders with an interest in the Lao PDR. Another positive progress is that initial projects which were launched under enormous efforts but on s small scale are now in a more mature phase with reasonable impact and recognition.
This annual report presents a brief account of activities in 2009. For a real understanding of LIRE’s contribution to the renewable energy sector in Laos, we hope you’ll find your way to our office in 2010!
First DEWATS System Officially Opened at Faculty of Engineering
Sunday, 04 April 2010
The official inauguration of the first Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) implemented in the Lao PDR took place on March 31, 2010 at the staff dormitory of the Faculty of Engineering in Vientiane Capital. Various representatives from government departments and international organizations joined the celebration.
The opening ceremony was organized in close cooperation between the dormitory residents and LIRE.
After the opening speeches from the project stakeholders the DEWATS ownership was handed over to the representative of the community. The opening ceremony provided interested participants the opportunity to discuss waste water issues in the Lao PDR, the solutions proposed by LIRE, and also to meet and exchange with LIRE-DEWATS experts. If you have any further questions related to water treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact LIRE.
Database on Renewable Energy projects in Lao PDR released!
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
The Renewable Energy Activity Database (READ) is now online available and can be found in LIRE's data & research section. The creation of the database was part of assignment “Bioenergy and Renewable Energy for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction”, a joint initiative by SNV and FAO in the Mekong region. LIRE was the local partner organization for the Lao component of the project, and LIRE representatives also participated in the follow-up workshops in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The database provides a snapshot of renewable energy projects in Lao PDR, and includes any small-scale renewable energy projects where the primary application is to meet local/domestic energy demand. It identifies key players and programs originating from both the private and public sectors. The READ is intended as a tool for decision makers, implementers and donors in order to help avoid duplication, whilst fostering greater integration of the sector. The database was compiled in October 2009, at which time 73 renewable energy projects were identified as either ongoing or under development.
The data was provided directly by the projects themselves, and the assignment did not allow for independent verification of these. Similarly, LIRE cannot guarantee the database includes an exhaustive list of projects. However, we will strive to update and maintain the file on a regular basis, as new projects and more accurate data become available.
If you have information about a Lao energy project that is currently not listed in the database, or if you would like to correct any data currently presented, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it