You have entered the website of the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) at the University of Guam. We are currently six faculty and five staff and our mission is to seek solutions through research, teaching and outreach programs, to issues and problems associated with the location, production, distribution and management of freshwater resources in Guam, the CNMI and the FSM.
This project points out the suitability of micro-hydroelectric equipment for application on undeveloped tropical islands. Two potential hydro sites on the island of Ponape were investigated. Manufacturers of hydro equipment suitable for installation at these sites were identified and price quotations were obtained.
Note: The abstract for this report was too brief and did not include information useful to potential readers. Therefore, additional information not contained in the above abstract is listed below.
This report contains flow- and power-duration curves for gauged rivers in Ponape, as well as preliminary feasibility analyses of equipment and design. Six reasons for investigation the feasibility of hydroelectric power on tropical islands are given: (1) the rising price of oil and associated costs of delivery to remote islands; (2) abundant annual rainfall in tropics results in constant stream flows; (3) presence of waterfalls on Ponape; (4) remoteness of villages and difficulties associated with delivering a municipal power supply; (5) modest electrical demand of island villages; and (6) hydropower is independent of fuel costs and requires little maintenance.
