The World's Highest Renewable
Powered Clinic
Donated by Percy S. Mistry

LOCATION

In the spring of 2001, the world's highest hybrid renewable power system was installed at Pheriche, Nepal. It can be reached by walking 5 days from the nearest public airport of Lukla. The clinic is located at the bottom of a valley, 4,300 meters (14,000 ft.) above sea level. The Everest base camp is another day's walk on the main trekking trail. The Himalayan Rescue Association's clinic is the only health care facility for the Everest region. The clinic provides emergency health care and classes to inform climbers and trekkers about the dangers of high altitude mountain sickness.

Pheriche

THE SYSTEM

The system was designed to provide 24-hour grid-quality power for emergency medical equipment, a radio transmitter and water One of the supply helicopters pumping (for heating and domestic uses). Once the batteries are full, the excess power can be used to run laptops, battery chargers, satellite radios and lighting. The hybrid power system consists of 10 x 75 Watt solar panels, an S5000DD wind turbine, a 3kVA sine wave inverter and a 4-day battery bank. Due to the clinic's remote location, altitude and maintenance, there is no diesel genset back up, making this system a purely renewable system.

Pheriche's renewable powered clinic

This system was funded by a generous donation from Mr. Percy S. Mistry, along with the fund raising efforts of Mr. Sandy Scott of the Everest Memorial Trust.

INSTALLATION

The installation was a joint effort by the personnel of Appropriate Energy, Lotus Energy who is a local electrical contractor and Everest Memorial Trust. It took approximately 1 week to install and commission the power system. Prior planning was crucial as everything had to be delivered by helicopter from Kathmandu.

MAINTENANCE

The Appropriate Energy wind turbine requires an annual inspection and service by trained personnel. The process normally takes approximately one hour to complete. Bearings need to be replaced once every five years and would take less than a day to carry out. The sealed batteries require no maintenance and are expected to last 10 years.

One of the supply helicopters

Lotus Energy's personnel installing the power electronics.

Installation photos

SPECIAL THANKS

We'd like to give special thanks to John Bean for coordinating the clinic's renovation.