Energy

PRACTICA continuously works on the development of new smart technologies in the field of (renewable) energy that can find application in developing countries. The state of development of these product varies from first prototypes and proof of concepts like the micro diesel engine and the solar-thermal pump to products that are almost ready for large scale introduction.

The energy technologies that are currently under development are listed here:

Micro diesel engine

Work on developing a micro diesel pump has been carried out with the goal to make mechanized pumping available for smallholder farmers at an affordable price. It was expected that if a low cost diesel pump-set, such as the micro diesel, will be introduced on the market, millions of smallholder farmers could use it to increase crop production and to improve their living conditions. Work on the development of a micro diesel pumpset based on the Lohmann engine was discontinued in December 2009 due to disappointing results… read more.

Solar thermal pump

An alternative for the photovoltaic solar pumps, reducing the cost and eliminating the high risk of theft of the photovoltaic solar panels.

Animal driven deepwell pump

By using animal drought power, water from deeper wells can be made available for irrigation. The pump design can be adapted to the animals that are available at the specific location. See also the EWTEC website for the implementation in Ethiopia. Click here for a video fragment of the testing.

Small scale reverse osmosis

In some (coastal) areas, the ground water is brackish and people depend on water sources further inland for their drinking needs. Currently, PRACTICA is working on a small scale solar powered reverse osmosis unit for community use.