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With the help of MiddSTART funding, we will install a micro-hydropower plant that will provide hydroelectricity to a small village in Nepal, thus providing positive social change by improving the community’s education and economic independence. MiddStart funding will be used to register a non-profit, the Kalpana Organization which leverages local resources to bring social and economic changes [...] Dollars Raised: 100%
Funding Details
Deadline: Dec 31, 2011
Total needed: $2,000 |
People
Dristy Shrestha '11.5 |
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With the help of MiddSTART funding, we will install a micro-hydropower plant that will provide hydroelectricity to a small village in Nepal, thus providing positive social change by improving the community’s education and economic independence.
MiddStart funding will be used to register a non-profit, the Kalpana Organization which leverages local resources to bring social and economic changes in innovative ways. The organization will finance the first micro-hydropower plant using a Cross-flow Set in a rural village in Nepal. With the help of this renewable source of energy, this project will replace kerosene lamps, reduce dependence on firewood and prevent its hazardous risks. Providing electricity to the village will enable children to study at home and at night, thus improving the quality of primary education, which is essential for community development.
In this project, a rural village in Bhimkhori VDC will collaborate with the organization to generate 5KW hydroelectricity for 79 households from local Mamti river. We will partner with local Nepali companies that will provide funds to cover the remaining amount needed for the completion of the project. Cross-flow set and other necessary equipment will be purchased from local manufacturers and suppliers. Local technicians with experience in micro-hydropower development will be recruited to help the villagers in construction and installation work. The organization will also partner with a Nepali educational institution offering Rural Development Program. Interested students will help us take surveys and collect data enhancing their practical knowledge and skills in this subject. These indicators will help the organization to monitor and evaluate the project’s performance with respect to its original objectives.
The Cross-flow Set combines a cross-flow turbine with an electric generator, and is easy to install, operate, and maintain in mountainous regions. Transmission and distribution costs are low since the set is installed near the stream in the village. During construction, the villagers will be involved in the installation, encouraging active involvement of the community members and motivating them to sustain it. The reliability, durability, feasibility and simplicity of the system makes it a doable development project.
The cost of registering and starting up the organization (approximately $500) will be covered by the funding requested. The remaining $1,500 will help purchase Cross-flow set for the first micro hydropower project. However, the actual cost of the hydropower project has been estimated to be at least $7,000. The local partner company will provide approximately $4,000 financial aid and the remaining $1,500 will be fundraised directly by the organization. After the successful generation of electricity, the organization will help the community to apply for a government subsidy through Alternative Energy Promotion Centre. Since it takes about 1.5year to receive the fill amount of the subsidy, any loan (without interest) will be paid then.
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