The mission of the Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists is to “save energy and the environment for health and wealth". If the native people, more specifically the local women, adopt fuel saving stoves they will save both time, money, and the environment.
The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists consists of a team of experts with diplomas in biomass energy technologies and were further trained by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Uganda. The group started slow, initially going from house to house to construct mud stoves, asking for only a small amount of money ($8.7) to keep members motivated. The goal is to disseminate improved energy saving stoves to poor communities at a more reduced or free cost as to reduce indoor air pollution caused by the traditional 3 stone stoves which are common in the local communities of Western Uganda (the Albertine region).
Contact Information
Our Focus
Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists train women on how to make fuel briquettes, but only those who can afford to pay the small amount of $2.2. Training to all is preferred but there is a lack of training materials and facilitation. Often, long distances are walked to conduct the trainings, and sometimes only a few or none participate due to the fee. The Peterson press is used to make the briquettes.
The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists Train and construct energy saving stoves (mud stoves, rocket Lorena stoves, and shielded stoves) to local communities, more specifically in small villages, as to reduce on the rate of deforestation. Provisions to the mud stove have been made so that users can use firewood and charcoal, which can save more charcoal as compared to any other stove.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
It is a challenge in local communities where people are used to sitting around the fire in the evening. When the energy efficient stove (mud stove) is introduced they complain that they no longer get access to the fire. Educating the people on the dangers of a 3 stone fire is very important and some are adjusting to this now.
The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists have attempted to market the fuel saving technologies which was not very easy initially. Over time the service was offered for free to some prominent people in the community like religious leaders, cultural leaders, and community leaders who can then communicate with their people. This has really helped to advertise The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists more since these people have a strong connection to the community.
The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists focus mainly on cookstove technologies. They tried introducing ceramic charcoal stoves but the capital wasn't enough so they had to revert back to mud stoves which now have been modified so that they can now use both charcoal and firewood. A "grate" (which they normally call a ring) has also been implemented in the stove. The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists look forward to learning and adapting to new technologies.
The Albertine Renewable Energy Technologists go back in the communities where stoves have been built, checking on how efficient they are as well as gathering people's comments on the product. The local women who don't have these stoves talk about how they are suffering with the smoke and looking for firewood, some of whom carry it from long distances and they do it three or even four times a month.
Relevant Publications or Studies
none.
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Well we are people who deal with communities, so we can provide basic information about the local communities as well as technologies. in case of inquiries we are ready to be open to you and we can share skills and experiences.
