|
Author of the idea: Sunlabob In some areas in northern Laos bamboo has become the dominant forest cover. It must be cut back to achieve better reforestation. Much of this bamboo can be commercially used, but most of it will be only useful as fuel. Gasification plants in the villages may drive motors for electric generation. Other sources of dry organic matter in the villages may also become sources for wood-gas for electrification. An interesting side-product may be active carbon for filters and chemical processes. Download the whole presentation of the idea here (pdf).
Beneficiaries: 1. Villagers get electricity 2. Foresters can more easily and cheaply regenerate valuable forests Actors: 1. Energy Service Companies who operate Village Grids may be interested to install and operate gasifiers, if they turn out to be economical. ESCOs must take the lead as they are the crucial link.2. Forest services may want to explore the economical extraction of bamboo by villagers themselves. 3. Village committees may want to
a) organize the extraction of bamboo and its delivery to the gasifiers and thereby create rural income opportunities,
b) combine that with an effort to develop higher-value mixed forests. 4. Rural enterprises who will service and operate the gasifiers, etc. Next steps: 1. Search for potentially useful gasifiers and motors that can use that gas 2. Search for pilot villages where bamboo has become a problem. 3. Build partnerships with sources of knowhow and research, formulate a test proposal and find the funding for the tests. Any further material: |
