Committed to universal
access to life-enhancing energy.
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PROJECTS & SERVICESOverview
AHEAD Energy is available to assist developing countries in implementing energy projects:
AHEAD has conducted studies for multi-lateral development agencies, private foundations, government entities, and businesses. PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES TO OPTIMIZE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (PROS2) PROJECT Volunteers for Prosperity, an AHEAD Energy Partner. Energy projects in developing countries are often hampered by lack of trained and experienced local energy professionals. Relatively few Africans have been trained for professions in energy industries because these countries have few institutions of higher education and those that exist may not offer degrees in all energy-related fields. Even those who have received formal training outside the continent often lack direct industry experience. As pressure mounts to export Africa's rich energy resources to wealthy nations, Africans may get the short end of the stick when negotiating contracts when they do not have the staff needed to verify energy reserves or negotiate favorable terms. AHEAD Energy is responding by placing seasoned energy professionals (and spouses, if applicable) with African energy agencies to assist with efforts to develop modern energy services. Partner agencies define their needs and develop position descriptions. AHEAD recruits specialists with ten years or more of industry or professional experience to serve abroad for three months to two years as unpaid staff with partner agencies. Volunteers are placed on projects that are scalable, economically sustainable, locally-controlled, and environmentally conscientious. PROS2 staff requirements
Foreign language ability is useful, but not essential. Costs covered by AHEAD Energy
Cost incurred by PROS2 staff member (and spouse, if accompanying)
For more information click: PROS2 brochure.pdf, and please see Appendix A & B.doc BY-PASSED OIL & GAS SEMINARS The energy resources that developing countries need may already have been discovered. Multinational companies have drilled into hundreds, perhaps thousands, of oil and gas reservoirs in developing countries that have never been produced. Producing these for local use is both technically and economically feasible. Any country or region in which exploratory drilling has taken place deserves to be reassessed. Re-evaluation of existing well bore data is the first step, including wireline log data, cores, mud logs, drillers logs, and pressure tests. AHEAD Energy offers seminars and private consultations to energy professionals in developing countries to re-evaluate stranded resources: "dryholes," abandoned, or problem wells. At no cost, submitted data will be reviewed to asses whether they are sufficient for advanced log analysis. If so, AHEAD can arrange for an interactive seminar or consultation, at reasonable rates, tailored to a client's interests. Day-long to week-long seminars can be arranged at mutually agreed upon times and places. Using existing data, AHEAD will determine if there are by-passed resources and provide a basic understanding of what to look for in future data mining. The more data submitted in advance, the more productive the seminar/consultation. All data submitted are treated as highly confidential. For more information click: Seminar brochure.pdf BIOFUELS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT In conjunction with partners in developing countries, AHEAD Energy is investigating biofuels from locally-grown crops. Engineered biofuels would be a significant improvement over fuels most Africans are currently using: firewood, charcoal, kerosene, candles. The Project will advance fundamental research into biofuels, field test various fuel mixtures, engineer household appliances to enable rural populations to utilize biofuels, identify and engineer optimal commercial biofuel production technologies, identify sustainable business models for delivering biofuel-derived energy services to domestic and commercial customers, and present an overview of the role that biofuels can most effectively play over time vis a vis other available energy technologies. HUMAN RESOURCE CAPACITY BUILDING
We have found that face-to-face interactions with African colleagues are much more productive than working at a distance, and provide us with field staff upon their return home. We are committed to sending our Mozambican colleagues home next year with a workable plan and enough funding to implement a successful energy project. ENERGY DEMONSTRATION & INTERNATIONAL VISITORS HOUSE
The house will be used to demonstrate how older urban housing can best be retrofitted for energy efficiency, conservation, and self-sufficiency. Our strategy is to form a partnership among area educational institutions, government, industry, and community nonprofits to create a living laboratory and demonstration site. Since acquiring the house we have met with representatives of SWBR Architects, the Center for Environmental Information, the University of Rochester Chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World, and a number of individuals interested in working with us on the project. We have decided that a first step is to host a planning charrette that brings together interested parties and stakeholders. This includes architects; environmentalists; utility company representatives; university administrators, faculty and students; City of Rochester Green Team members, and other interested parties. Based on decisions made at the charrette, we will begin acquiring resources to turn ideas into reality. We will also launch a website to inform the public about work being done at the house and a listserve to keep interested persons connected. Once projects have been completed at the house, we expect to have periodic Open Houses for the public to tour the house, especially student groups - grade schools through graduate schools. THE POTABLE WATER CRANK
Incidences of typhoid and cholera can be dramatically reduced by provision of safe drinking water and this is exactly what the Potable Water Crank (PWC) does! It uses human-generated electric power to pump water through a column containing a 17W ultraviolet light. The device does not allow water to flow unless it has had the proper UV light treatment. Cranking is done by 1 or 2 people (it was designed purposefully to allow persons to socialize as they work). Other devices that run on small amounts of 12 volt DC electricity can be connected to the power generating unit cell phone chargers, radios, etc. The PWC is the brainchild of Bob Bechtold, a local plastics manufacturer, who is pioneering the industrial use of alternative energy. He spent 6 years designing a product to be appropriate to African cultures. Inspiration came from listening to the inventor of a solar water sanitizer describe its limitations during monsoon and flood situations when potable water is most scarce. Human-powered devices can work anytime, and unlike chemical water treatments, the PWC can produce as much or little water as needed. We plan to distribute the product to 100 families in Mozambique and gear up to place units in many other parts of the world. QUESTIONS and FEEDBACK |
