The Charcoal Project

Technology

TCP+MIT+ARTI = HFI in TZ

Posted on by Jean Kim Chaix

Think of it as the Higgs Boson of energy poverty alleviation.

Seriously, though, this blog post comes to us from Harvest Fuel Initiative-partner, ARTI-Tanzania (a type of Large Hadron Collider on its own) and tells the whole story of how ARTI, The Charcoal Project and the Scale-Ups program at MIT’s D-Lab are coming together to help address one of the root causes of various social and environmental problems in the developing world: the dependence on wood and charcoal for cooking and heating in the developing world.

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NEWS: What’s good for the panda is good for the cookstove

Posted on by Jean Kim Chaix

There is evidence that bamboo charcoal burns cleaner than wood charcoal and with comparable heating and energy values. Charcoal production is another way for families to diversify their livelihoods and earn some additional income, and the relatively limited investments required for the simple charcoal-making process make it an income source that is accessible to many.

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NEWS: Fuel briquettes from groundnut shells

Posted on by Jean Kim Chaix

(Via HEDON) “In Gambia, Anthony Tabbal has established a business making fuel briquettes from groundnut shells. He was inspired to do this by his concern over deforestation in the country, with many trees being felled for firewood and charcoal making.”

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Tanzania: Championing Energy Solutions for Women

Posted on by Jean Kim Chaix

Bagamoyo’s (Tanzania) rapid urbanization and population growth have made it harder for workers like Msilo to keep their businesses afloat and feed their families. Alongside rising electricity costs, the wood most people use for their household and business energy needs is becoming scarcer.

Thirteen women and eight men were instructed on how to produce fuel alternatives to charcoal, using agriculture and crop residues. These residues include rice and cashew husks, wood shavings, coconut husks and shells – all of which can be fashioned into briquettes, whose growing use addresses the shortage of charcoal and other wood-based fuels.

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