Sustainable Energy Project Videos - You Decide Who Gets $5,000
Only a few days left for the on-line virtual tradeshow that began May 15th and concludes May 31st, 2008. They are giving away $5,000 to one of ten sustainable energy projects, each of which has sent in a video summary of their project.
PROJECT SUMMARIES: videos are available in the video section of the (you have to login) and text summaries are here:
1. Shelby Tyne- Greenway Farms - S. Africa – Biogas
Shelby installed a biogas collection system on his farm which now produces electricity and cooking gas. Against many obstacles he has persevered and is now showing other African farmers how to do the same.
2. Dan Robichaud - Canada - Solar Heater
Dan shows that anyone with a bit of initiative can create their own low-cost energy solution. Taking personal initiative and publicly sharing his results he proves that individual action can have a larger system effect.
3. DAXU - China – Biomass
Burning crop waste instead of coal with a home stove design that increases cooking time while reducing smoke. Changing one stove from coal to biomass prevents over 8 tons/year of CO2.
4. Practical Action - Peru - Micro Hydro
Over 5 million people live in remote villages in the Andes with little to no access to electricity. Microhydro schemes keep people in villages allowing teachers and doctors to bring in computers and refrigeration - Local earnings have increased 60%.
5. AIDS - Philippines - Hydro pumps
Over 15,000 people now have access to clean and safe water and irrigation for crops. Clean water means that vegetables can be grown in dry season and people can keep livestock and fish ponds.
6. SKG - India - Biomass & Biogas
Using cow dung, village women produce electricity and then use the slurry to make fertilizer, providing a source of income and free time that has increased the education of their children.
7. BioTech - India – Biomass
As parts of S. India have grown in middle class, waste disposal has become a major problem. Biotech uses unwanted food waste to produce gas for cooking and electricity. Each plant replaces 1400 tons/yr of diesel which results in 3700 tons/ year of CO2 reduction.
8. Center for Rural Technology - Nepal - Micro Hydro
Processing grain requires women and children to carry heavy loads long distances to mills. Improved hydro mills cut the price of making flour in half and each improved mill replacing diesel offsets 2.4 tons/yr of CO2
9. Deng Ltd - Ghana - Solar PV Panels
Solar power now replaces kerosene lamps greatly reducing indoor toxic fumes which cause the majority of respiratory problems. 600 schools equipped with solar PV can now stay open at night for adult education.
10. SEEDS -Sri Lanka - Micro financing for Solar
Innovative microfinance schemes have financed over 52,000 solar home systems in rural areas of Sri Lanka, where average families had to spend 19% of their income on energy. SEEDS sets affordable monthly payments which are paid back over 1 to 4 years.