There are many steps to help create energy independence within blueEnergy’s mission. One of the final stages is to create ways in which our communities can use the wind turbines, solar panels and other energy systems we provide for productive uses. Broadly speaking, productive uses refer to projects that help generate income opportunities and development in rural areas.
blueEnergy has spent most of our time helping community members see, feel and realize the benefits of these systems. In short, we created a “need” for our systems.
When I helped perform our system maintenance checkups on our microenergy individual home solar systems in Monkey Point I was astounded by the gratitude of the community members. Families were now cooking dinner with the light from the three light bulbs their systems powered. Our aim is to ensure our communities don’t need to use dirty fuels like kerosene for light. Another microenergy borrower was badly burned a while ago when her thatched roof house caught fire from the kerosene lamp and burned to the ground. She will always carry the scars from this incident.
Now that we’ve succeeded through the “need” stage, we are working to find ways for communities to generate income from renewable energy to pay for maintenance and ultimately be self-sustaining. We want to ensure that these communities have the funds and knowledge available to buy parts, fix and maintain these systems.
One idea that I helped study was building an acopio, or a community seafood freezer powered by our systems. We studied how this could improve the fishing businesses of the communities and reduce trips to Bluefields to receive ice. After studying the technical capacity of, for example, a freezer, we realized that our systems couldn’t provide the necessary power. But, we are trying to think creatively like this and find ways for productive uses of our systems.
I am curious what other projects people have seen or experienced with finding productive uses for rural renewable energy systems. Starting agri-businesses and textile operations are commonly used. We even have a PH.D. student from Berkeley studying the ways to use biofuels for energy, and possibly creating commercial activity.
There are many options that exist and it can be difficult to replicate systems because every region is different with their own challenging obstacles. But an open forum is always the best way to share ideas and I’d love to hear what you have to say.
For more on the environment and other sustainability related issues, check out these other posts from La Vida Idealist bloggers.
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