Highlights in this edition: 

• 11th RedBioLAC Annual Conference in Cuba and accompanying online course on Biodigester technology by CIBiogás and RedBioLAC
• Open Source Technology for Hydropower Electronic Load Controllers, making the technology more efficient for rural communities and optimizing the energy supply. 
• Making Biodigesters fit for service in rural communities in Southeast Asia
• Recordings of HPNET webinars and Deep Dive Workshop at ACEF 2019 in Manila
• Promotion of renewable energy opportunities in rural Argentina by a local NGO supported by WISIONS

Speakers: 

Risha Piya: Program Specialist at Winrock International Nepal

Ayu Abdullah: Co-Founder and Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Energy Action Partners

Iskander Kuntoadji: Founder of IBEKA, the People Centered Business and Economic Institute Indonesia

Context: 

Collective research and hindsight within the Hydro Empowerment Network  reveal that the long-term sustainability and impact of hydro mini-grids is dependent on how well the project is run as a viable and inclusive enterprise. This webinar featured mini-grids practitioners in South and Southeast Asia who are leading the transition from grant-dependent to enterprise-based micro and mini hydropower projects. The webinar was in particular highlighting the following points: 

• The linkage between enterprise-based approaches and long-lived hydro mini-grids; 
• Best practices to transition from grant dependent to local social enterprise models, based on micro hydro experience in Nepal, Malaysia and Indonesia; 
• Solutions to scale their efforts to more micro hydro communities, including how to make better use of funding resources that currently go toward grant-dependent projects. 

English Version: 

Climate change and desertification are increasingly threatening the livelihoods of peasant families in Brazil's semi-arid region. The use of charcoal and firewood represents about 30% of the energy matrix in the northeast of the country, reaching 80% of the energy demands of family agriculture in the region that still suffers the effects of recent years of drought.

Diaconia created the Biodigestor Sertanejo model on a domestic scale, which produces 15 to 25 m3 of biogas per month from the use of animal manure. This model is built with materials that are easily found in the local market, which facilitates replication.

As a result, we have reduced GHG emissions and deforestation. In addition, there are impacts from improved soil management, as well as biogas production and the use of biofertilizers. The improvement in the quality of life of women is significant, as is the guarantee of the permanence of rural families in the region.

Spanish Version: 

El cambio climático y la desertificación son cada vez más amenazantes para la permanencia de las familias campesinas en la región semiárida de Brasil. El uso de carbón y leña representa alrededor del 30% de la matriz energética en el noreste del país, alcanzando el 80% de las demandas energéticas de la agricultura familiar en la región que aún sufre los efectos de los últimos años de sequía.

Diaconia creó el modelo Biodigestor Sertanejo a escala doméstica, que produce 15 a 25 m3 de biogás por mes a partir del uso de estiércol animal. Este modelo está construido con materiales que se encuentran fácilmente en el mercado local, lo que facilita su replicación.

Como resultado, hemos reducido las emisiones de GEI y la deforestación. Además, hay impactos por mejorar el manejo del suelo, así como la producción de biogás y el uso de biofertilizantes. La mejora de la calidad de vida de las mujeres es significativa, como lo es la garantía de la permanencia de las familias rurales en la región

More information here!