One Earth Designs has started and opensource project dedicated to developing cogeneration on a shoestring budget
SolSource is a project for innovating Alternative Fuel and Energy Sources
By addressing the villagers concerns about fuel collection and current solar cooker design, we are reducing the time needed for collecting fuel. This allows for alternative economic activities and increased education for women. In addition, pollution due to fuel combustion will be reduced, improving health and productivity.The SolSource solar solution, however, is just the first step towards a sustainable rural energy model for high altitude regions. As biomass fuels are phased out, sanitation from excess animal excrement is a potential health concern. Methane recapture for electricity generation would be an ideal solution, however, low temperatures in high altitude regions currently prevent its widespread use. Biomass gasification is another option but has not previously been explored in Qinghai. Although clean biomass energy is not feasible at this stage in the project, our household solar heating system is built for easy modification in order to maintain optimum temperatures in a household digester and we hope to address this aspect in future project phases.
By supplying low-input renewable energies, we are opening opportunities for the development of rural community economies which we hope to encourage through our discussions and training sessions.
The SolSource Energy Model. Phase 1 of the SolSource Energy Model involves the implementation the SolSource 2-in-1 solar solution leading to an expected 70% abatement of rural household emissions ( Abatement). In Phase 2, the biomass left unburned due to Phase 1 is processed in order to meet villagers' additional energy needs as well as to produce organic fertilizer [NOTE: Some rural families spend as much as 30% of their annual household income on chemical fertilizers].
Please read more about this exciting project at oneearthdesigns