WISIONS of Sustainability
Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to transform the production and use of energy so that it effectively enables sustainable development. Read more about WISIONS activities, goals and background.
News Blog
Free Download: RedBioLAC Biodigester handbook
News from WISIONS posted on September 25th, 2019

English version:
Jaime Martí is currently Associate Professor at the Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam in Ecuador and did for many years research and conducted practical experiences on the feasibility as well as promotion and dissemination of biodigester technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. Encouraging the use of the technology, which holds so many benefits for the local population and contributes largely to sustainable development in this region, Mr. Martí and RedBioLAC established the opportunity for a larger audience to download the handbook for free. The download of the handbook is possible in a colored and black/white version.
The initiative for creation of this handbook has been supported by Green Empowerment and WISIONS.You can find the download, by clicking on this URL link! Enjoy the reading!
Versión en español
Jaime Martí es actualmente Profesor Asociado de la Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam en Ecuador y durante muchos años realizó investigaciones y experiencias prácticas sobre la factibilidad, así como la promoción y difusión de la tecnología de biodigestores en América Latina y el Caribe. Alentando el uso de la tecnología, que tiene tantos beneficios para la población local y contribuye en gran medida al desarrollo sostenible en esta región, el Sr. Martí y RedBioLAC establecieron la oportunidad para que una mayor audiencia descargue el manual de forma gratuita. La descarga del manual es posible en una versión en color y en blanco y negro.
La iniciativa para la creación de este manual ha sido apoyada por Green Empowerment y WISIONS. Puede encontrar la descarga haciendo clic en este enlace URL ! Disfrute de la lectura!

Our 4th Newsletter is out now!
News from WISIONS posted on September 23rd, 2019

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

The recording of the latest HPNET Webinar is now online!
News from WISIONS posted on September 18th, 2019

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.
- Grant and subsidy dependent projects often lead to projects with poor load factors and therefore inadequate revenue generation to enable long-term financial sustainability.
- Ownership models of grant-dependent projects tend to be inclusive but typically are not conducive for enterprise development, simply because user-based groups funded by grants were not required to perceive the need or knowhow to establish financial sustainability.
- While self-financed enterprise-driven projects have strong financial viability, they require more time to develop inclusive affordability and equitable benefits among factions of the community.
- To achieve both revenue-driven and equitable hydro mini-grids, a transition is needed toward local social enterprise, brining economic value-add to the mini-grid, village enterprises, local social services, and households.
- A high impact end use for value-add of electricity is local agriculture and agri-processing; however tapping it requires energy practitioners to work with agri-value chain practitioners.
