EMPOWER: Vol 5. Issue 2 – June 2024

Empowerment through Enterprise

At IEEE Smart Village (ISV), we seed local enterprises that use renewable electricity and the productive use of technology. We do this to create long-lasting improvements in livelihoods in neglected communities. We address climate change by electrifying underserved economies.

In 2022, we began increasing the number of enterprises we fund each year, in order to scale up our impact. We now focus on small enterprises, with the goal of vetting their operations for consideration for larger funding in the future. In the first half of 2024, we funded 10 enterprises and expanded four others from prior years. These include 6 in Africa, 4 in South Asia, 2 in China, 1 in Latin America and 1 in North America. They involve solar electrification and lighting, as well as the productive use of technology, accompanied by community education to improve livelihoods.

The deployment phase of such an enterprise is covered under a service agreement and can last more than a year. Of the 19 enterprises that we have funded since 2022, 7 have been fully implemented and 12 are nearing completion. This is followed by an operations phase that involves business operation, operation and maintenance of the equipment, and enterprise governance: we require this to be self-sustaining and scalable, for long-lasting impact in the served communities. Of the 19 enterprises, 10 are in Africa, 1 in China, 1 in North America, 2 in Latin America, and 5 in South Asia.

We also perform development activities, such as conferences, webinars, and student projects, aimed at supporting our primary mission of enterprise by recruiting and retaining ISV members and applicants. This year we have participated in conferences in Latin America and China, and we have two more coming up in Africa and South Asia. We have funded 4 student projects in Africa and South Asia, with 4 more in the pipeline for China and North America.

None of this is possible without the work of dedicated volunteers. Those in Regional Working Groups focus on frontline engagement with applicants and enterprises, while those in central committees work to harmonize the operations of the regional groups. For those of you who are already contributing as volunteers, my thanks for making the time to do this work. For those who are new to us, please take this opportunity to learn more about how we work, and join in what may become the most fulfilling aspect of your careers.

I take this opportunity to welcome Mike Wilson, our Senior Program Manager, back to a full-time role with ISV. Some of you may know, Mike was splitting his time between ISV and IEEE MOVE International. He has completed the assignment, and we now have the benefit of his undivided attention. Welcome back, Mike!

Our work is supported by several IEEE Societies, and the IEEE Foundation. Several of them have been supporting us for more than a decade – we gratefully acknowledge their commitment to our mission.

Interview with 2024 IEEE Power Africa Conference Awardee – Dr Abel Nda

Remi: Congratulations on your recent award for your invention at the 2024 IEEE Power Africa Conference. How do you feel about the award?
Abel: I feel very positive, elated, and overwhelmed with joy. This award serves as a cutting edge honor for me in my career, and in my humanitarian service as an engineer. I feel very happy to have received the award as I hope to do more for humanity in the three cardinal points of ISV; Energy, Entrepreneurship and Education.

Remi: Did you have the award in mind when the idea of Solar Wheelbarrow for Rural Communities crossed your mind?
Abel: Not really. However, when I saw the MTE competition, I decided to give it a trial. More interesting was that I was opting for the category of the “Best Planned Project” but the organizers in their own wisdom gave me the award for the category of “most likely to succeed” and indeed I am now succeeding at a gradual pace.

Remi: How far have you executed the seed funding you received from the award?
Abel: On this, I would say a big thanks to Rajan, the president of ISV, for believing in me and the encouragement he gave me to at least make the product available in the market and get customers’ perception of the product. I can now confirm that two of the wheelbarrows were given to two beneficiaries and indeed, the beneficiaries were full of appreciation.

Remi: Are there new inventions underway?
Abel: Yes! At the market visit, I learned about the market segmentation, cultural nuances of usage, and the ability of customers to pay – either one time or in installments. The following is a pointer to the fact in order to get customer satisfaction I must diversify. For instance, some women approached me in the market saying that they are not allowed to push wheelbarrows culturally, therefore, they may not benefit from the scheme. Consequently, they asked if I could provide smaller modules of solar on their roof at their various homes for lighting purposes only. There are other dimensions on WTP also but if we are to balance gender then we have to give a thought to the request of the market women.

Remi: What do you have to say about ISV generally?
Abel: I became a member of ISV in 2019 and since then I have enjoyed various capacity development from ISV. Consequently, I give thumbs up to the leadership of ISV, the various working groups, and the various committees to mention a few. ISV is the best that has happened to me, and it will continue to be the best.

Thank you.

The IEEE Power Africa Conference (PAC) is organized by IEEE Smart Village (ISV), where a series of workshops, presentations and roundtable discussions are held annually.

In this year’s edition, ISV will coexist with the conference, offering its semi-independent series of programs. These include all-day sessions, plenary events, exhibitions, tutorials, and a technical tour. During this period, the ISV delegation will have the opportunity to participate in select Power Africa sessions and activities. On the final day, ISV will continue with a day of focused workshops, culminating in an awards presentation and farewell banquet.

Who can apply?
The IEEE Smart Village (ISV) New Talents Program supports talented individuals who aspire to become Smart Village Developers. The Developers must be passionate entrepreneurs working to provide electricity and make effective use of energy in the most vulnerable communities in the world.

Why Apply?
At the PAC Conference, you will meet with members of the ISV Leadership who can guide you to become a Smart Village Energy Entrepreneur.

How to Apply
The application for the New Talent program is straightforward but competitive. The application package consists of:

• Completed application material with signed release form and three essays.
• A professional resume.
• One reference letter scanned, with contact information from past or current professional supervisor or mentor.
• Scanned official transcript of highest level of education achieved and/or currently in progress.
• New Applicants/Talents are to apply online by completing the Application Form.

Dacheng Energy Rural Photovoltaic Power-Heating Demonstration Project

The “Dacheng Energy Rural Photovoltaic Power-Heating Demonstration Project” is the first ISV-funded demonstration project in China. It was built in Changzhi, Shanxi Province. After a strict selection process, the project adopted the PV/Thermal Heating (PVT) technology developed by Nanjing Liangao New Energy Technology Co.

Upon the completion of the project, the company’s technicians trained the villagers how to install and maintain the photovoltaic photothermal integration PVT heating system. The system not only provides villagers with clean electricity and heating, but also provides villagers with technical skills, reduces the cost of living, stimulates commercial creative thinking, and accelerates the process of green energy development through training.

The PVT system combines both power generation and heat collection. The PV integrated collector absorbs heat from the PV cells for domestic hot water or heating. At the same time, it reduces the temperature of the PV module and enhances the PV power generation. The integrated solar energy utilisation rate of the system can reach more than 60%.

The PVT system adopts the user-side use scheme, which has many advantages such as non-pollution, short construction cycle, simple maintenance, not restricted by the geographical distribution of resources, high energy quality, good stability, long service life, and improved solar energy utilisation.

Distributed Solar Power Innovation and Skills Training in Pastoral Areas
(Solar energy fuels livelihood development for nomadic communities on the Tibetan plateau)

The project “Distributed Solar Power Innovation and Skills Training in Pastoral Areas” applied by Green Camelbell and Karshi Community Herders Cooperative, which was recently approved by IEEE Smart Village (ISV), will support new solar power generation in pastoral areas and skills training for pastoralists, i.e., setting up portable photovoltaic power generation systems in the local area. It will further provide skills training for local pastoralists to acquire basic maintenance and repair skills, and increase pastoralist incomes by developing and expanding the cooperative’s business model.

In the vast western part of China, at an average altitude of 3,500 meters, or almost 11,500 ft., above sea level on the eastern foothills of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, there is a piece of natural pastureland with beautiful scenery, where people have been nomadic for generations. There is a community called “Karshi” residing in a small number of scattered households, and are not connected to the national power grid. This grassland has beautiful scenery, and the Tibetan people on the grassland have a unique and magical nomadic culture. However, the ecological environment here is very fragile, and the grassland is gradually degrading.

Faced with such a situation, no matter what the cause of grassland degradation is, the most fundamental solution is to think and act together with the local community. The Tibetan herding community is striving for grassland protection, and they have a deep affection for the grassland, as well as a strong willingness to protect the grassland.

After much discussion and training with the local community and other stakeholders, the Karshi community was eventually able to set up a Natural Resource Management Committee, which is operated autonomously by the herders, to carry out the allocation of natural resources in the community and the management of rotational grazing practices, among other things. The herders also set up a herders’ eco-pastoral cooperative on their own to explore the long-term sustainable development of the community.

Surveys have revealed that overgrazing is due to the number of livestock exceeding the carrying capacity of the rangelands, with livestock eating more grass than new growth each year, even though grazing is the only way for local herders to earn an income. The increase in the number of yaks has not resulted in higher incomes because whenever the grassland is degraded, the growth of livestock slows down, and the probability of illness and death increases accordingly.

We, therefore, realized that while conserving the grasslands, commercial means must be used to reduce overgrazing and increase herders’ incomes. With the support of the MBA team at Howard University in the U.S., we have found that ecotourism is the best and most viable alternative livelihood for local communities.

In our eco-tourism, we allow students to observe wildlife, check the health of rivers, monitor the quality of grasslands, encourage them to explore nature with their own hands, feet and eyes, learn about the diversity of nature, and feel the joy that nature brings as they climb mountains and wade in the water, pick up yak dung, milk yaks, visit herders’ tents, cook traditional Tibetan meals, wear Tibetan robes, ride horses, pray at temples, carry out volunteer service, clean up grassland rubbish, and teach English to local children, among other activities. Every summer, Green Camelbell and the local community organize five eco-tours for about 100 people.

Green Camelbell has signed a conservation agreement with the Karshi community, in which the community promises to reduce the number of sheep raised by one for every RMB 1,000 increase in income through eco-tourism, and to reduce the number of yaks raised by one for every RMB 6,000 increase in income, until the pasture is no longer overloaded.

Green Camelbell also links resources for community-supported agriculture, bridging the gap between herders and consumers. Consumers can buy healthy, safe, and traceable meat products, and herders can sell yak meat at a reasonable price. In the winter of 2023, more than 200 kilograms, or almost 450 lbs., of yak meat (bones, offal, etc.) were sold, and more than $20,000 in income was gained. Herders can also control the number of yaks within a reasonable range to avoid further degradation of the grassland.

The Karshi community is located in an area with an average annual sunshine time of about 2,800 hours. This area is rich in solar energy resources, and there is a mix of energy sources in their daily lives; they collect yak dung for heating and cooking, use small solar panels to generate electricity for lighting and charging, and use diesel generators to power water pumps for water collection.

Because of their dispersed living conditions, they often migrate with the seasons, do not have access to the national power grid, and have purchased small solar power generators for each household. However, due to the large temperature difference between day and night on the plateau, as well as extreme weather conditions and frequent rain and snow, the solar power generators available on the market are unable to work stably. Herders need to replace the equipment every 2-3 years, costing nearly 10,000 yuan. In addition, since they lack technical skills, whenever the equipment malfunctions, it is difficult to repair it locally, and they can only buy new equipment to replace it.

Therefore, pastoral herders need solar power systems that are distributed, i.e., systems that can be connected to every home in the community, that are easy to move and install, that do not permanently harm the grasslands, that can work in extreme weather, that are affordable for every herder, that can be adjusted in a timely manner according to the herders’ needs and development plans, that are safe for people, livestock, wildlife, and the environment, and that are locally accessible to the herders through skills training. basic technical support.

This requires the joint efforts of local social enterprises like herders’ cooperatives and NGOs like Green Camelbell to develop appropriate solar energy systems with innovative approaches through long-term skills training, and to improve the herder community’s relevant knowledge and operation and maintenance capacity.

When the solar power system is set up, it can be used for lighting, charging mobile phones, and appropriately expanding the ecotourism business. Photovoltaic power generation opens new doors in the lives of herders. The water pumps and electric fences is expected to reduce the amount of labor required of herders, and they can be freed from heavy domestic chores, especially for women and girls, who will have more time to focus on themselves and use it for rest, study and personal development, instead of spending their time on heavy chores such as picking up yak dung, carrying water, and not having to get up frequently to check that their livestock are safe. Moreover, the herders’ tents will be warmer and cleaner, with better indoor air quality, and the children’s health will improve. Electric fences can prevent wild animals such as wolves from harming livestock in the evening and at night, reducing economic losses and women’s labor.

The price of yak meat fluctuates greatly depending on the market; with large refrigerators, yaks could be slaughtered before they lose weight and sold at the highest price, which would likewise increase herders’ incomes. In addition, they could develop livestock products such as air-dried yak meat, yoghurt, cheese and ghee. An electric vehicle charging station could also be set up for passing electric vehicles, which would benefit the community and tourists, ultimately making the community a completely net-zero emission community.

The model of distributed solar power systems in Tibetan pastoral highlands can be promoted and replicated in other parts of the Himalayas and even in border areas, which would potentially lead to a sustainable future.

2023 IEEE China Smart Village Forum

The 2023 IEEE Smart Village Forum in China (2023 ISVFC) successfully held in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province on 15-16 October, with the theme of “Green, Low-Carbon and Smart Village”, focusing on the green and sustainable development of rural and poverty-stricken areas. The conference specially invited Nobel Laureate Daniel Korman, Academician Zhou Xiaoxin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dr Bian Jianhua, Chairman of IEEE PES, Rajan Kapur, Chairman of IEEE Smart Countryside, and Zhang Xiaofeng, Chairman of the China Working Group of IEEE Smart Countryside to attend the conference on site, with more than 70 speakers from home and abroad, and ten high-end forums in three days. Academicians, experts, professors, entrepreneurs, and social organisations gathered to discuss smart villages with Chinese characteristics, using advanced technologies to help rural enterprises develop, use cheap and clean energy, improve energy efficiency, and promote rural community education and green and sustainable development of enterprises.

The conference is co-organised by IEEE China Representative Office, IEEE Smart Village China Working Group, Taiyuan University of Technology, Shanxi Energy Internet Research Institute, and China Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development.

Prof Sun Hongbin, Vice President (presiding over administrative work) of Taiyuan University of Technology, presided over the opening ceremony. Yang Qinrong, Vice Governor of Shanxi Provincial People’s Government, Bian Jianhua, Chair of IEEE PES, Zhang Xiaofeng, Vice Chair of IEEE Smart Country and Chair of China Working Group, Zhou Jinfeng, Vice President and Secretary General of China Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development, and Yang Yongping, President of North China Electric Power University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

In the keynote speech session, Li Jian, Vice President of Chongqing University, and Ding Lijian, Vice President of Hefei University of Technology, presided over the session. Dr Rajan Kapur, Chairman of ISV and IEEE Fellow, Zhou Xiaoxin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Honorary President of the China Electric Power Research Institute, Daniel Kammen, Academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and Professor of the University of California at Berkeley, and Guo Hehong, Deputy General Manager of State Grid Shanxi Power Company, gave keynote speeches.

The forum subsequently hosted 2 roundtable panels, 2 special panel sessions, and 4 panel sessions, focusing on the themes of “New Distribution Grid and Green Low Carbon for Villages,” “Energy Transition and Sustainable Development for Smart Village,” “Smart Grid and Smart Village,” “Shanxi Village Special Panel,” “Entrepreneurism Empower the Villages,” “Promoting Rural Enterprise Development & Measures,” “Science and Education for Smart Villages,” and “Technology and Finance for Smart Village Project Development.”