With our 45,000 alumni, we get to hear about some of the coolest, life-changing projects. This one comes via Adam Hammond (class of 2013).
Bluetech Financing Solutions today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Area Council leaders of a remote island in Vanuatu to deliver a solar+storage based microgrid pilot project.
“Today represents an important milestone in years of hard work on the business model and financing structure to address energy access not only in the Pacific, but in other markets globally,” said Bluetech’s Adam Hammond.
In early 2015, Paama Island was hit by both an earthquake and cyclone within a 6-week period. The majority of the 400 residents of Paama Island located within a few kilometres of the Area Council HQ have never had access to electricity. Only a few residents have been able to afford a single PV module and lead acid battery system designed for mobile phone charging and very basic lighting. Communication during the natural disasters was therefore a major challenge according to Area Council Secretary Mr Cyrus Willie.
“The Area Council’s only source of power was a small 5kVA generator but that has been broken since December 2015,” said Mr Willie. Paama is currently without any internet connection and the MoU was negotiated via mobile phone demonstrating the communications difficulties that a lack of access to electricity represents for many on the planet.
“Even something most of us take for granted like signing an agreement would not have been possible without assistance from Air Vanuatu physically delivering and returning the MoU. I can’t think of a more appropriate or deserving place to prove our energy access business model, financing solution, and the microgrid technology available today”, added Mr Hammond.
Solar Energy International (SEI), renewable energy training school from Paonia, Colorado, is supporting the project with PV system design and construction scholarships for Paama Island locals who will have an ongoing role in microgrid operations and maintenance. Discussions are currently underway with leading solar PV, battery storage, microgrid monitoring, and payment systems technology providers wishing to be involved in the proof of concept project before it is scaled up in other locations.
