Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: MFP and Jatropha Program
EPA Grant Number: SU834302Title: MFP and Jatropha Program
Investigators: Modi, Vijay , Allen, Tyler , Drachman, Benjamin , Faber, Liza , Fan, Kathleen , Hreib, Katherine , Huang, Stephanie , Parker, Jessica , Stansfield, Stephan , Noppen, William Van
Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2011 (Extended to August 14, 2014)
Project Amount: $75,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2009) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
The Soroti district and greater Teso region has suffered from a plethora of issues such as rebel insurgencies, regional conflicts, and natural disasters over the last twenty-five years. In light of these issues, a sustainable and maintainable solution is needed in this crucial time of development. Agriculture is a vital aspect of life to people in the region and more efficient agricultural processing methods locally centralized would support economic and social development in the region. Manual agro-processing processes are labor intensive and take significantly longer than automated processes. Locally available mechanized farming methods increase farmers’ incomes, save time, and increase their food security.
Columbia University’s Engineers Without Borders Uganda Program in partnership with the Pilgrim, a Ugandan NGO, is implementing a Multi-Function Energy Platforms (MFPs) pilot program in the Soroti district of Uganda. The MFP is comprised of a stationary diesel engine that powers various agro-processing attachments (millers, grinders, oil presses, rice polishers, etc.) by means of a pulley system. The main goal of the MFP project is to increase the livelihoods of participating communities by decreasing the amount of time spent on labor and enabling the value addition of raw products through agricultural processing, increasing income generation and providing the time and funds necessary for individuals to pursue an education or community goals. Phase II goals included the installation of three more MFPs, the establishment of a local fabrication plan for the modification kits, pilot testing of SMS based data collection techniques, and increased jatropha mobilization in 20 farming cooperatives.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
With Phase I funding from the P3 Grant, 2 MFPs were installed in Orungo and Usuk. In Phase II, EWB Uganda designed the project to augment its impact and expand to three new communities as models for a possible national MFP program in Uganda. As of now, EWB Uganda has implemented or is currently implementing a total of 10 MFP sites, 5 times as many engines as were completed in Phase I of the project which illustrates the ability of the project to be scaled efficiently and effectively. Almost all of the communities have demonstrated success thus far, with 7 of the 8 communities turning a profit.
SMS based data collection techniques proved to be mostly unnecessary at more rural MFP sites, prior to initial beliefs. Since most sites only require tachometer data of the engine RPM in real-time, wireless data loggers proved not to be worth the expense and trouble of installation, besides for research purposes at Makerere University.
Jatropha mobilization continues as a project undertaken by Pilgrim. With limited time incountry, the scope of the project proved to be too much for CU-EWB to oversee. Jatropha remains a viable fuel source for MFPs, though most communities continue to use diesel fuel as cultivation of the crop has still not gained widespread adoption.
Conclusions:
Through this project, Multifunction Platforms have shown to be a viable way for East African communities to locally process harvested crops and a viable source of income. The project is demonstrably scalable, growing five times in size in as many years. The largest issues have come from stemmed from communities not utilizing MFPs to their full extent due to lack of technical and business training, as well as poor communication between communities, Pilgrim, and EWB. As the final MFPs are installed in Garama and Olwa, CU-EWB’s focus is shifting towards improved community development techniques in order to ensure the sustainability of the installations.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 3 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
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Basinger M, Reding T, Williams C, Lackner KS, Modi V. Compression ignition engine modifications for straight plant oil fueling in remote contexts:modification design and short-run testing. Fuel 2010;89(10):2925-2938. |
SU834302 (2010) SU834302 (2011) SU834302 (Final) |
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Basinger M, Reding T, Rodriguez-Sanchez FS, Lackner KS, Modi V. Durability testing modified compression ignition engines fueled with straight plant oil. Energy 2010;35(8):3204-3220. |
SU834302 (2010) SU834302 (2011) SU834302 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Energy, biofuel, sustainable development, jatropha, MFP, Uganda, conservation, appropriate technologyProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Multifunction Energy Platform (MFP) Pilot | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.