Feature Story: Sustainable Energy MOOC a Success!
Time flies! Powering Agriculture just concluded our first, very successful, Sustainable Energy for Food massive open online course (MOOC). Nearly 1,700 participants from around the globe (see chart) took part in the course, reviewing weekly videos and reading content, taking quizzes, and working in teams to submit group projects. The MOOC platform, including all materials and links, remains available online.
Stories from the Field: Innovators in Action
The PAEGC team recently visited several Innovator project sites to review the implementation and learn about the benefits of their clean energy solutions.
PAEGC toured the pilot bamboo flooring production facility that uses the innovative modified process designed by African Bamboo. The process allows for a higher quality bamboo flooring product. When full-scale production is reached farmers' incomes will increase by approximately 30 percent.
PAEGC visited seven installations in Kenya that use SunDanzer’s solar-powered chest refrigerator as a reliable way to cool milk and reduce milk spoilage. This has already led to a 20 percent increase in production, resulting in additional income for farmers.
PAEGC visited three central solar PV systems that were installed by the Earth Institute in Gabar, Senegal to power 21 irrigation pumps. The farmers are saving up to 6 hours labor a day, spending less money on fuel and improving quality and quantity of grown produce.
PAEGC recently completed a site visit to Rebound Technologies’ first SunChill demonstration unit in Inhacoongo, Mozambique. SunChill is an off-grid solution for pre-cooling agricultural produce as it is harvested and could save over 35 percent of cooling costs compared to conventional cold storage.
PAEGC accompanied Camco’s partner, Village Industrial Power (VIP), to observe the update of their biomass fueled co-generation units. The team visited three installations at palm oil processing facilities, interviewing palm oil farmers in Benin and meeting with stakeholders in Tanzania.
Latest Innovator and Partner Videos!
Powering Agriculture recently released a new video featuring speakers from the November 2015 Powering Agriculture Innovator Showcase. Hear what our Partners have to say about the clean energy/agriculture nexus. We have also added profile videos for the 2015 Innovator cohort. Learn more about their clean energy solutions.
At the Nov. 20, 2015 Powering Agriculture Innovator Showcase in Washington, D.C., the 2015 Innovator Cohort was introduced to the world. Hear what the Founding Partners, Innovators and guest speakers had to say about Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development.
On Nov. 20, 2015, the world met the 2015 Innovator Cohort of the Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development program at our Innovator Showcase in Washington, D.C. In this video series, you can hear what they had to say, in their own words.
BMZ and GIZ Establish a Powering Agriculture Hub in Kenya
Powering Agriculture Partner GIZ recently established a regional hub in Nairobi, Kenya. The hub is linked to GIZ’s energy program, Energizing Development (EnDev) and will also provide support to PAEGC Innovators working in the region. Innovators are currently implementing projects at 15 sites throughout East Africa, with six projects active in Kenya. Hub activities will include support for pilot projects, capacity building, and knowledge management and exchange.
Upcoming Events
Powering Agriculture Xcelerator Webinar Featuring Kiva
The Powering Agriculture Xcelerator (PAX) program, in coordination with Kiva, will host a webinar for Innovators that discusses the benefits of becoming a Kiva Field Partner.
Apr. 20, 2016—Failure and Off-grid Energy Success
Stewart Craine, the Managing Director of Village Infrastructure Angels (VIA)—a Powering Agriculture Innovator—will be participating in a webinar on “Failure and Off-grid Energy Success: Why Failure Matters to Development.” The April 20 webinar is hosted by The Low Carbon Energy for Development Network and Smart Villages.
Jun. 1–3, 2016—PAEGC Partners Meeting
The Powering Agriculture Founding Partners will hold their annual meeting June 1-3, at USAID Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Jun. 1–2, 2016—Ag Innovation Investment Summit
Powering Agriculture, along with Securing Water for Food and Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, are hosting a first-ever Ag Innovation Investment Summit June 1-2. The invitation-only event will feature Innovators from all three programs. The event is targeted at investors in agricultural technologies and business and nonprofit organizations that commercialize technologies for smallholder farmers
