Electricity for 135 people in Colombia

Senior staff from our in-country, NGO partner in Colombia (APROTEC) went to receive training and exchange design concepts on ram pumps with AIDFI (in-country, NGO partner in the Philippines). At the same time, AIDFI learned about APROTEC's work on low-head/high flow river turbines, and more.

Our partner in the Philippines, AIDFI, was named recently as one of the recipients of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Prize! Among AIDFI's technical expertise is the hydraulic ram pump which won the BBC World Challenge in 2010.

APROTEC is an active member of the "Network of Biodigesters for Latin America and the Caribbean" (RedBioLAC), also promoting biogas in Columbia as another source of renewable energy.

Connecting our partners and networks creates opportunity to replicate innovative projects on a regional and global scale.

A parts list, and plans:

Uses only inexpensive and standard components:

1. Small trailer axle ball bearing (really barrel). The stress of rolling this machine would be no threat for these bearings, as they are intended to carry a much heavier load.

2. Standard steel tubing and flange.

3. A bicycle wheel acts as a 28 inch low cost pulley.

4. Wooden lateral wings to make a Venturi flow control.

Designer will complete the first prototype in their shop, and then travel to Columbia to help for the initial installation, fine tuning, and tech training-- TBD.

A team of engineers from our in-country partner APROTEC will work with the community to install the equipment and do follow up tests and monitoring for at least 1 year.