Date post: | 27-May-2015 |
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Green EmpowermentWe partner with local partners and
rural communities to implement renewable energy & water projects in
the developing world to alleviate poverty and protect the environment.
Poverty
2.7 billion people live in poverty (less than $2/day)
Extreme Poverty
Over 1 billion people (1/6 world population) live on less than $1/day
They cannot provide basic needs, like food, water, clothing, shelter, education, sanitation, or health care
2.5 billion live w/o adequate sanitation
Pollution/scarcity ~ 1.1 billion lack access to clean drinking water
Water borne disease is a leading cause of death in the developing world
Source: Pacific Institute
WaterWater
“All boys and girls must drink clean water to avoid parasites”
1.6 billion live in the dark
ElectricityElectricity
The Case for Renewable Energy
• Access to electricity helps alleviate poverty • Renewable energy (RE) is the cheapest option for electricity or pumping water (life cycle costs) • RE can offset use of fossil fuels for lighting and electricity or cooking •Biogas digesters destroy methane, reduce need for firewood, and provide fertilizer • Respiratory disease linked to smoke from firewood and kerosene lights is a leading cause of death in the developing world
Core Countries
• Nicaragua
• Ecuador
• The Philippines
• Peru
• Thailand
• Burma
Portland, OR
Nicaragua
Philippines
Ecuador
Perú
Thailand/Burma border
Core Value: Social Justice
Projects must have the maximum positive impact on basic human rights such as employment, health, education, personal opportunity and other indices of a healthy society. Both men and women must be actively involved in the development of their community.
Core Value: Local Leadership
Projects must have strong community backing and leadership. Local people are trained in the skills necessary to operate and maintain their projects. We promote the leadership of local technical organizations, as their skills are vital to the planning and building of the projects.
Core Value: Sustainability
Each project must have a plan for long-term sustainability, both economically and environmentally. Rural electrification is supported by community tariffs on residential use of electricity, as well as micro-enterprises that generate revenue for the long-term viability of the projects.
Electricity
Water Delivery
Watershed Restoration
Technologies: Micro Hydro
Micro hydro technology is an appropriate, environmentally benign energy form, which can produce electricity at low cost in isolated communities internationally wherever there are mountains and streams.
The water flows through a turbine which turns a generator and generates electricity 24hrs a day
Technologies: Solar PV
During the day, PhotoVoltaic panels convert sunlight energy into electricity that can be stored in batteries, transmitted by wires, and/or power lights, machines, or water pumps.
Technologies: Ram Pump
Ram pumps are simple mechanical devices used to pump water uphill for irrigation or potable water distribution. They don’t use any electricity and, with only 2 moving parts, are easy to build and maintain. They use the momentum of a large amount of water running down a hill, to push a smaller amount of water uphill 24 hours a day.
Technologies: Wind
The wind turns the blades of a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity whenever the wind blows.
We partner with a local partner who:Knows the language & cultureLong term commitment to community developmentCan procure equipment locallyProvides follow-up and technical support
We assist with any of the following:Technical Assistance
Feasibility studies, design, implementationTraining and technology transfer
Organizational planning & developmentGrant writing; fundraising; meeting officialsPublicity and reporting
The village community:Sets the priorities and owns the projectContributes labor & resources for implementationManages operations & maintenance through its community-based
organization
Division of LaborDivision of Labor
Community Entry
Social Preparations
Tech Development
TestingCommunity
Capacity Building
Project Implementation
Project Proposal
SubmissionProject
Monitoring / Evaluation
Project Hand Over
Project Development
Process
• Need and desire for electricity or water
• Available renewable resources
• Community-based organization ~ provides unskilled labor, desire to become renewable energy technicians
• Ability to pay for & manage utilities
• Desire to generate income
• Motivated to protect and regenerate watersheds
• Potential for project replication
Project CriteriaProject Criteria
Upcoming ProjectsHousehold Solar - San Jose de los Remates, NicaraguaWho/What: 200 villagers receive household lightingCost: $55,000
Micro-Hydro - Mindanao, PhilippinesWho/What: 60 households receive lighting, 260 households use corn-millingCost: $105, 240 total, $15,000 still sought
Ram Pumps - Negros, PhilippinesWho/What: 9,900 people receive water with 12 systemsCost: $124,958 total, $36,284 needed for 8 remaining
Wind Energy - Alumbre, PeruWho/What: 132 people get light into their remote homesCost: $92,305
• Donate
• Adopt a project
• Tell your friends & employer
• Volunteer (Portland/Internationally)
• Participate in
– US/International Technical Trainings
– University/Professional Partnerships
– Intern ~ NGO Skills Training
Get InvolvedGet Involved
Green Empowerment will be featured in Willamette Week’s Give!Guide this year! Your donation dated Nov. 12th or later can help us look beautiful to potential new donors. We are also actively looking for a business partner who would match your donation.
In addition to investing in truly sustainable energy and water projects globally, you can get schwag just in time for the holidays.
For example, in 2007, for a gift of $25 or more, donors received a thank you gift such as:10 2-Zone Tri-Met passes (worth $17.50), a satchel of Tazo tea, or a free ZipCar membership for a year. Gifts including beer to bubbly accompanied thank you gifts for donations of $250, $500, and over $1000.
www.greenempowerment.orgwww.greenempowerment.org
503.284.5774503.284.5774