ENGINEERS for a SUSTAINABLE WORLD (ESW)

A five member team of students (2 from ISU) volunteered their time and efforts for ten weeks to implement two new projects in Kamuli District. These two projects are improving energy efficiency and water conservation while providing rural Ugandans with two of their most crucial needs.

The first project is a small scale biogas digester. The basic idea of a biogas system is to take biological matter, such as manure or plant materials, mixed with water, and contain it in an anaerobic (without oxygen) environment. In 25 to 55 days, natural microorganisms break down the biological matter, resulting in the production of methane gas. This gas can then be used directly to fuel stoves or lights in rural homes. After the manure is stabilized, it can be used as fertilizer.

With this technology, farmers are able to eliminate traditional wood burning stoves and therefore reduce the demand for wood on already stressed local forests. Elimination of wood burning stoves also reduces the smoke and particulate matter inside homes, allowing improved health for residents.

The final cost of building the small biogas digester was US$350. With further development, it may be possible to reduce that cost. All involved in this project are hopeful that it will succeed in order to affirm with rural farmers that it is a viable method of energy production.

The second project is a water harvesting tank. Water harvesting tanks allow farmers to collect water during the rainy season and contain it for use during the dry season. Having this technology will eliminate or lessen the need for rural Ugandans to travel long distances to access water. Freeing up household members from fetching water allows them to engage in other beneficial activities such as education, income generating activities, farming or other household activities.

CSRL Program Activities 2007

Objectives:
  1. Integrate inputs from ISU and Makerere University (MU) faculty and students
  2. Develop and pilot test appropriate and sustainable engineering solution to locally identified priority needs
  3. Develop mechanisms for cumulative learning and dissemination of technologies
Approach:
  1. Conduct background research in ISU's Sustainable Engineering class and by agricultural engineering students in Makerere University
  2. Develop prototypes of selected technologies (ISU student chapter of ESW)
  3. Facilitate through ESW-National Seed Program - sending students over the summer
Resources: Primary - ISU and MU undergraduate engineering students ISU and MU faculty
Secondary - VEDCO staff and/or volunteers, farmers
Activities: 2005 - Community-level site visits and discussions to identify initial projects
2006 - First team of 5 ESW student volunteers/interns (two from ISU) (groundwater harvesting, water disinfection, biogas digester system, fruit dryer)
2007 - Second team of 5 ESW student volunteers/interns (two from ISU) (groundwater harvesting, biogas digester)
Outcomes: 2005 - Identified initial projects and collected background data
2006 - Conducted tests on water disinfection method using photocatalyst; built a biogas digester for a farmer; built a water harvesting pond for a farmer; designed fruit dryer
2007 - Improved first biogas digester and built a second one for another farmer; built a rainwater harvesting tank for a farmer
Lessons Learned:
  1. Better understanding of activities and needs of community and of VEDCO
  2. Year round effort needed for fund raising to ensure continuity and sustainability
  3. Ideally will engage faculty and students in MU's Faculty of Agriculture (Department of Agricultural Engineering) and in the Faculty of Technology
Challenges & Questions
  1. Regular project-focused communications among ISU and MU faculty and students
  2. Communications among VEDCO, MU and ISU in preparation of interns
  3. Securing funds to support student interns who make a 10-week commitment
  4. Lack of community-level follow up on some of the technologies implemented
  5. Continuity within ESW-ISU in maintaining development of initial projects

Additional information regarding the ESW projects in Uganda can be found here.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the ESW and CSRL partnership or would like to contribute your time or gifts, please contact the Center for more information.