New Generator and Voltage Stabilizers
When the area of Khirbet Qanafar was connected to the electricity
grid of Qaroun, there was major trouble ahead for JLSS.
Although the supply of power became almost 24 hours a day, the voltage
was extremely low. Our repeated calls to the Electricity company
revealed that the low voltage problem will not be corrected for major
technical and financial reasons.
When the seasons of high electricity consumption came, mainly in
summer and winter, the interruption of power was continuous, and
electricity was going off and on like a Christmas tree. Every evening
between 7.00 and 11.00 PM the interruptions to power are numerous. The
protection to the three phase power supply was also tripping and JLSS
was facing an impossible situation.
The voltage was so low most of our florescent lights would not turn
on. Most of the machines were not working. Central heating burners would
not start. AC units would not heat classrooms. Photocopiers did not
work. Computers were being continuously damaged. We were facing damage
to equipment at an alarming rate.
The need for huge voltage stabilizers for the school became an
absolute necessary. The cost of this equipment is huge and we needed
around US$ 10,000 for this most needed project.
The EVS Foundation kindly provided JLSS with those funds. Rev. Dr.
Uwe Gräbe and Rev. Klaus Schmid informed the Schneller local board
which was refusing the request of the director for such equipment, that
the EVS Foundation will provide the needed grant.
The voltage stabilizers installation was completed at the beginning
of February 2014. Finally, everything was running smoothly and classes
and boarding homes were being adequately heated. Damage to equipment was
stopped.
JLSS
also received a grant from the EVS Foundation last year for a new
electricity generator with step technology which consumes diesel based
on power consumption. The new generator was a joint project between the
EVS Foundation and the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs. His
Excellency Minister Wael Abou Faour included JLSS among the institutions
receiving support for generators. After a lengthy process the new
generator was delivered in January 2014.
A new control panel will also be installed to control the generators
of JLSS by which the generator matching the power needed will be
started. This will have enormous savings on our diesel bills.
We express our most sincere gratitude to His Excellency Minister Wael
Abou Faour for his wonderful support of JLSS. We especially thank our
German partners EVS/EMS for providing us with the funds that enabled us
to install the voltage stabilizers and pay our share of the new
generator.