Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa is an energy-poor region, with little or no reliability in domestic power. The lack of electricity is a major contributor to the current deforestation as people turn to wood for fuel. These practices are rapidly depleting the forests and destroying the arable land. Limited access to reliable power and resources has created a need for new sustainable technologies to promote development and improved quality of life. Four specific technologies were investigated and developed for this project: savonius rotor windmill, rainwater harvesting system, solar water heater and grain drying system. The proposed technologies work to achieve the goal of providing a sustainable energy source to the region. The windmill is designed for direct energy production with capabilities of either AC or DC output. The energy may be applied directly or stored in a battery for later application. The rainwater harvester is intended to save energy in two ways. First, the water does not require well drilling or pumping. Second, because rain water is a clean source, fuels are not needed to sterilize the water for safe consumption. The solar water heater reduces the demand for fuel by providing households with heated water for cooking and cleaning applications. The grain dryer focuses on efficient farming practices. It allows for safe, on-site storage immediately after harvest ensuring users reductions in losses due to theft, spoilage, or foraging. The ability to store harvests provides a market advantage, allowing for revenue increases which can help facilitate the adoption of the other three technologies.
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