| Green, Donna (2001) |
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"Improving Solar Battery Charging Station Technology and Training Systems in Remote Areas of Thailand" (Category: Conservation of General Resources) Thousands of villages in the remote areas of Thailand do not have access to basic electricity. A majority of these villages are in the northern region of the country, where the mountainous terrain prevents the use of gridline power. Because fossil fuel energy is unsustainable, it is important for developing countries to embrace alternative energy systems. Over the last decade, the Thai government has developed a program to promote solar electricity generating systems for these communities by installing over 1,000 solar battery charging stations. However, Ms. Green has discovered that these systems have been riddled with technical problems causing the people to become disillusioned and consequently reducing use of the system. In this project, Ms. Green will upgrade the system design and provide a solution to the hardware inadequacies that were discovered. She will also create innovative educational and community involvement schemes to support use of the system. It is hoped that neighboring countries will choose to implement this renewable energy technology in their own rural development plans as a way to avoid the prohibitive costs of expanding traditional gridline electricity, and reduce the use of fossil fuels. This Lindbergh Grant in general conservation is sponsored by The Laura Jane Musser Fund. |
Donna Green