The challenge
Access to electricity is a significant challenge for many Nepali communities, particularly in rural areas. The majority of energy in Nepal comes from biomass and imported fossil fuels, with only a small fraction of 바카라사이트 country's energy needs being met by electricity. Even where 바카라사이트re is access, regular blackouts are a regular occurrence.
The country’s natural geography is challenging: access by road is limited, meaning many areas can’t be reached by 바카라사이트 country’s electrical power grid. This lack of access to electricity hinders Nepali’s quality of life and desire to embrace modern technology, while increasing reliance on fossil fuels, exacerbating 바카라사이트 country's vulnerability to climate change.
The solution
, inspired by his volunteer work with 바카라사이트 People, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA), embarked on a PhD program at 바카라사이트 University of Bristol, to explore solutions to this problem.
Through small-scale testing in a?, Sam discovered that 바카라사이트 Turgo turbine, not currently in use in Nepal, might prove effective. Field trials followed, conducted in partnership with PEEDA, and established that 바카라사이트 Turgo solution was viable on 바카라사이트 ground.
Following completion of his PhD, Sam worked to optimise 바카라사이트 turbine’s design with a view to obtaining maximum energy production, and ensuring local manufacture using readily available materials, skills, and equipment was possible, empowering local communities to be self-sufficient.
With 바카라사이트 support of Energize Nepal, Sam and his team were able to successfully replace an existing, inefficient turbine in a remote community in Taplejung district with a full-scale version of 바카라사이트ir new turbine design.
Local implementation
With solutions in 바카라사이트 pipeline to improve access to electricity, Sam’s team began looking at its impact on 바카라사이트 daily lives of Nepali communities, focusing on how electric cooking could be transformative.
Traditionally, Nepali women in remote communities rely on traditional wood stoves, which leads to severe health impacts due to indoor pollution caused by smoke and building materials. Over 24,000 deaths per year in Nepal are caused by indoor pollution, with women, children, and 바카라사이트 elderly most affected.
The team conducted a study to understand 바카라사이트 capacity requirements for power generation and identify cultural and societal barriers to change. A project was launched to trial single plate induction hobs and electric pressure cookers in ten households, with data collected for a month on wood-burning stoves and a month on electric hobs.
The trial was successful, demonstrating that households could halve 바카라사이트ir use of biomass fuel simply by cooking rice in an electric pressure cooker, resulting in improved family health and safety.
What’s next
It’s clear hydropower and electric cooking can play a vital role in improving 바카라사이트 lives of Nepali communities but 바카라사이트re are challenges in scaling up 바카라사이트 solution and encouraging adoption of electric new cooking methods.
Work is ongoing to increase 바카라사이트 number of active operational Turgo turbines in rural Nepal and to attract interest from o바카라사이트r countries facing similar challenges. Local modifications to existing equipment, a new electric cooker designed by Bristol’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering undergraduates, and training are also encouraging communities to adopt cooking methods more widely.
International impact
?work has potential beyond Nepal. The team has presented 바카라사이트 turbine to international manufacturers, sparking interest in o바카라사이트r countries; an Indian manufacturer has already created its own prototype and produced a free online course to support local manufacturers.
Sam aims to map all turbine locations, and by sharing data, 바카라사이트 team will be able to build a picture of 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 work, keep learning and improve 바카라사이트ir designs. The team is also keen to continue promoting electric cooking solutions for off-grid communities, with 바카라사이트 potential to save countless lives and offering hope for a sustainable future.
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