2016 blueEnergy Project Opportunities Program
Concept
Description
Ecostoves/ovens
In Nicaragua, 90% of deforestation is attributed to the use of fuel wood and more than 80% of the urban and rural poor in Nicaragua still cook with wood. In addition, indoor cooking on traditional stoves causes immense ill health effects, especially to women and children in the home. The summer fellow will research, improve the design, test, and implement an efficient cook stove and/or oven for use in one of blueEnergy's communities, taking into account previous research carried out by former Summer Fellows. The potential impact of this project will be to provide community members with a more environmentally sound cook stove (or oven) that consumes less fuel and emits less smoke. The cook stove (or oven)design will also help to support microbusinesses, as many women will use this stove to prepare and sell food outside their homes. This project will reduce carbon output, provide savings, and provide community members with a source of revenue. Extensive hands-on work is required in the workshop and in the community.
Renewable electricity production & productive uses of electricity
The summer fellow will work with blueEnergy's technical and community teams to better standardize blueEnergy's photovoltaic (PV) design and installation process. The summer fellow will also assist in improving the process and support systems for the monitoring of blueEnergy's PV systems. This will involve participating in fieldwork visits to rural communities to asses, monitor and evaluate current PV's systems performance and adoption by end users. This project work will help blueEnergy's community and technical teams to better understand the social and economic impacts of rural PV system installations. Finally, the summer fellow will prepare and participate in the installation of a PV system in one of the communities in which blueEnergy works.
Water filtration and storage
The regional government has estimated that in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) of Nicaragua only 29% of the population has access to potable water and that at least 80% of the rural population does not have any access at all. 92% of the population of the city of Bluefields consumes well water, which is heavily contaminated by fecal coliform, making it unsafe for consumption. blueEnergy's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program includes the implementation of biosand water filters, mechanized and Baptist wells, improved sanitation systems (e.g. composting latrines, training on good hygiene practices, and comprehensive solid waste management for families, schools and health centers). The objective of the summer fellow is to research and analyze alternative low-cost water filtration technologies. The summer fellow will work on technical aspects, financial aspects, and also on issues of social adoption of the alternative technologies. The summer fellow will work with the WASH team to assess the performance against that of blueEnergy's current water filtration technology.
Eco-sanitation
The regional government has estimated that in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) of Nicaragua only 29% of the population has access to potable water and that at least 80% of the rural population does not have any access at all. 92% of the population of the city of Bluefields consumes well water, which is heavily contaminated by fecal coliform, making it unsafe for consumption. In addition, Bluefields, whilst being the largest city in the RAAS, lacks any form of centralized sewage system, leading to severe sanitation and environmental challenges. blueEnergy is leading a pioneering effort with local governments to provide sanitation services to the population in the region in a more systematic way. The summer fellow will work with members of blueEnergy's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) team to further the design, testing and proof of concept of composting latrines for the region. The potential impact of this project will be to provide a safe, easy, and environmentally sustainable sanitation solution. As mismanagement of waste can contaminate potable water sources and spread disease, this project will help reduce the environmental problems associated with improper sanitation, as well as increase the sustainability of environmental resources within the community. Extensive hands-on work is required in the workshop and in the community.
Permaculture/ Bio intensive Family gardens
blueEnergy is working with families and communities to adapt sustainable small scale food cultivation as a means of ensuring food security under climate change. Families on the Caribbean Coast spend as much as 70% of their income on food which is often imported and of poor quality. blueEnergy is training the local population on sustainable small scale agriculture practices using the holistic approach of permaculture and bio intensive soil treatment. The summer fellow will work with the climate change team to investigate and document best practices and help to create educations materials for local families in order to raise awareness and educate the local populations about permaculture techniques.
Community adaptation plans
blueEnergy is working with communities to evaluate the risks posed by climate change and to develop adaptation plans to ensure health, income generation and physical security in the face of the threats. Working closely with USAID programs, blueEnergy is pioneering how communities are understanding and dealing with the threats posed by climate change. The summer fellow with work with the climate change team and directly with beneficiary communities to develop community adaptation plans.
Mapping of impact projects / GIS
blueEnergy has installed its appropriate technology in over 20 communities over a span of 10+ years. In order for the organization to accurately track and provide monitoring of its implemented solutions, it is important for the organization to have an up-to-date, interactive database and map of these installations. The summer fellow will work with preexisting interactive GPS mapping software to improve and update blueEnergy’s installed solutions database and map. This activity will include extensive site visits in urban and rural locations to collect information from the solution beneficiaries (individuals, families, schools, communities).
Energy
WASH
Climate Change
Transversal