Organisation of projects and programs:The activities of LIRE are organised in projects and programs. A LIRE project is a clearly demarcated effort which can achieve a result that can be profitably implemented. Larger, complex efforts are organised as programs that include several LIRE projects. Each project has its own operational plan and funding sources. For process of submitting and organizing projects with LIRE, click here.
Active Programs:Jatropha Program  
As one of its first efforts LIRE has launched a Jatropha program to explore and test the potential for operating combustion motors with oil produced from the Jatropha curcas plant that is widely growing in rural areas in Laos. The program will explore the whole range of challenges associated with Jatropha: - Planting and harvesting the seeds
- Oil extraction processes in the villages and industry
- Processing of the oil to motor grade fuel
- Adaptation of motors to operate on such fuel
- Use of motors for electrification or transport or small industry
- Efficient operational and financial transactions along this whole chain.
For more information please visit the Jatropha program page. Biomass gasification program 20 KW Gasifier installed by SME Cambodia near Battambang, Cambodia | LIRE has started research on biomass gasification since September 2007. The aim is to explore the options of pyrolysis of various types of biomass to produce heat or electricity in the Lao context. By doing so, LIRE hopes to contribute to the diversification of the currently available appropriate renewable energy technologies and sustainable development in Lao PDR. One of the first activities was to start with a feasibility study about the potential of this technology in Lao PDR. Because there is no successful system installed yet in Lao PDR, LIRE researchers visited SME Cambodia to see running systems in various sizes ranged from 20 KW up to 200 KW. |
Solar powered water purification | | The idea of the water purification system is to provide clean drinking water in areas where conventional purification systems cannot reach. The system should be able to take well/river water and purify it to drinking water standards: suitable for household to village level needs. Several water purifying units were tested, until it was decided to use a solar driven water purifying system developed by Our World as being the most robust system for use in rural areas. The system is currently being tested in several remote villages, which should help determine the operating conditions necessary, as well as test the final business model used. For more information please visit the Water purification project page. |
Pico-hydropower
| Pico-hydropower is widely used throughout the Lao PDR to provide electricity for light and entertainment of individual households. LIRE is the first organization with a comprehensive project to improve the quality and safety of this market-driven renewable energy technology in the Lao PDR. In partnership with ETC Energy, LIRE tries to seek the market mechanisms that lead to scaling up and improving the quality and safety of installations of pico-hydropower in the country. The project includes the promotion of better quality hardware and installation techniques and the provision of information (e.g. through workshops) to all actors in the value chain. |
Biogas Biogas is an environmental friendly technology that can help to decrease methane emissions and therefore actively reduce green house gas emissions. Biogas on a household level has significant advantages for its users. Major benefits from using biogas are the reduction of using traditional cooking fuels such as fuel wood and charcoal which puts a pressure to environmental resources. Moreover, the sanitation situation of connected households is improved since toilets can be attached to the biogas digesters. The digested slurry can be utilized as an organic fertilizer which helps replacing chemical fertilizers. Currently LIRE is focusing on domestic biogas digesters, but future activities will also include medium and larger scale facilities.
For more information please visit the Biogas project page.
Programs in preparation:Village hybrid grid program  | LIRE intends to provide a platform for testing equipment and various concepts of integration of diverse renewable energy sources into stable electric grids at the village level, which shall allow to produce enough energy for income generating activities.
For more information please visit the village grid program page. |
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