Small-scale hydroelectric generators for developing countries?
April 17, 2007 5:52 PM Subscribe
I need information on a non-profit organisation that sets up small-scale hydroelectric generators in developing countries.
I'm talking very small-scale - perhaps enough to charge a couple of 12v batteries each day. I have heard that such an organisation exists, and I would like to find information on behalf of native communities in Peruvian Amazonia.
Can anyone help me with information on small-scale hydroelectric schemes or ANY other kind of development project that would give sustainable benefit to a rural jungle community?
I'm talking very small-scale - perhaps enough to charge a couple of 12v batteries each day. I have heard that such an organisation exists, and I would like to find information on behalf of native communities in Peruvian Amazonia.
Can anyone help me with information on small-scale hydroelectric schemes or ANY other kind of development project that would give sustainable benefit to a rural jungle community?
IN-SHP
Practical Action small-scale and micro-hydro.
UNIDO
LGED in Bangladesh.
AKRSP
There's a couple leads for you. (on preview, what whatzit said. Although it doesn't answer the question)
posted by Floydd at 6:43 PM on April 17, 2007
Practical Action small-scale and micro-hydro.
UNIDO
LGED in Bangladesh.
AKRSP
There's a couple leads for you. (on preview, what whatzit said. Although it doesn't answer the question)
posted by Floydd at 6:43 PM on April 17, 2007
http://www.sustainabledesign.com/index-5.html
http://www.sustainabledesign.com/index-3.4.html
[from their website]
...Sustainable Design Group has designed sustainable communities in Mexico, Africa, China and the US. The sustainable communities incorporate the philosophy and feature Earth Homes, community scale renewable energy, water and waste to energy of fertilizer systems...
I sent email and am awaiting a response from John Spears, who is the president of Sustainable Design Group and the
nonprofit International Center for Sustainable Development in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He is an internationally recognized expert with 30 years experience in energy conservation, renewable energy systems, indoor air quality and sustainable design. Mr. Spears provides design and consulting services in the areas of residential and commercial building energy conservation, renewable energy systems, “Green Building” design, indoor air quality and sustainable community development.
posted by kapec at 6:47 PM on April 17, 2007
http://www.sustainabledesign.com/index-3.4.html
[from their website]
...Sustainable Design Group has designed sustainable communities in Mexico, Africa, China and the US. The sustainable communities incorporate the philosophy and feature Earth Homes, community scale renewable energy, water and waste to energy of fertilizer systems...
I sent email and am awaiting a response from John Spears, who is the president of Sustainable Design Group and the
nonprofit International Center for Sustainable Development in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He is an internationally recognized expert with 30 years experience in energy conservation, renewable energy systems, indoor air quality and sustainable design. Mr. Spears provides design and consulting services in the areas of residential and commercial building energy conservation, renewable energy systems, “Green Building” design, indoor air quality and sustainable community development.
posted by kapec at 6:47 PM on April 17, 2007
Response by poster: Thanks for the good info everyone.
To address of whatzit's questions: I spent some time doing linguistic fieldwork in Aguaruna villages. I'm not associated with any kind of aid organisation, and it's not my aim to get deeply involved, but I try to help with finding information and helping Aguaruna leaders make contacts.
The village I'm most familiar with has about 400 inhabitants (most villages are smaller), one solar panel used to charge a 12v battery, one school, one health post, one church. Access is by canoe or on foot (or helicopter I guess). Subsistence horticulture and hunting/gathering (fish and game are becoming very scarce). Some domestic animals: poultry, guinea pigs, a few cows and sheep. (-4.76750, -78.19400 if you're interested.)
The village leaders are interested in generating electricity, getting education and creating/maintaining a good supply of fish, game and domestic animals for food.
posted by nomis at 7:35 PM on April 17, 2007
To address of whatzit's questions: I spent some time doing linguistic fieldwork in Aguaruna villages. I'm not associated with any kind of aid organisation, and it's not my aim to get deeply involved, but I try to help with finding information and helping Aguaruna leaders make contacts.
The village I'm most familiar with has about 400 inhabitants (most villages are smaller), one solar panel used to charge a 12v battery, one school, one health post, one church. Access is by canoe or on foot (or helicopter I guess). Subsistence horticulture and hunting/gathering (fish and game are becoming very scarce). Some domestic animals: poultry, guinea pigs, a few cows and sheep. (-4.76750, -78.19400 if you're interested.)
The village leaders are interested in generating electricity, getting education and creating/maintaining a good supply of fish, game and domestic animals for food.
posted by nomis at 7:35 PM on April 17, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
Beyond that, you may want to expand a bit on the contact your group has and what you know about the community so far (directly, or from others from there or who have worked there), if you seriously want thoughts on other relevant projects. One of the biggest challenges in development is addressing the problems that people in the communities actually perceive as problems, and from there, working with (not for) the community to introduce solutions that the community can afford and take "ownership" of for long-term, sustainable impact.
I hope that didn't come off as too introductory/condescending, but it's a really big issue...
posted by whatzit at 6:32 PM on April 17, 2007