Back to activities

Renewable Energy Technology

1 min Read

70% Complete

Access to sources of energy is still a major limiting factor to sustainable development in may part of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Large areas are still not electrified, and where there is electricity it is often unreliable or prohibitively expensive. Fossil fuels are often not easily available or are too expensive for daily use. Mountain people have always relied on renewable energies like wood, animal dung, and draught power for survival – be they for cooking food, keeping the house warm, milling grain, ploughing fields, or transporting goods; bu the traditional energy sources are no longer sufficient to meet people’s needs, and there is increasing concern about the negative impacts associated with their use. Wood is becoming scare increasing the time spent in collection; deforestation is leading to land degradation and loss of groundwater recharge amongst others; and indoor pollution from wood and dung smoke is a major cause of respiratory and other health problems.

However, mountain areas have vast untapped source of potential energy in the form of running water and long hours of sunshine. Recent development in technologies for renewable energy, offer possibilities for using this energy on a small-scale at low cost to reduce household drudgery, provide electricity for domestic use, and support and sustain income-generating activities. Overall, the potential for sustainable use of renewable energy resources in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) exceeds by far the total energy consumption in the region.

The activities at the Knowledge Park at Godavari focus on the demonstration of simple low-cost renewable energy technologies that can be used by farmers to support agricultural, domestic, or small-scale income generating activities. Most of the demonstrations are provided in partnership with different local NGOs. We welcome other groups to use this site for demonstration of appropriate technologies that complement the ongoing demonstration and training activities.

 

Puxin Biogas Plant

Biogas is potentially one of the most economical sources of energy for mountain farmers. In China, the Shenzhen Puxin Science ...

22 Apr 2020 Income generation
Yacon-Peruvian Ground Apple cultivation

Have you ever tried Yacon (ground apple)? We've been growing #Yacon at our Knowledge #Park in #Godavari since ...

11 Dec 2019 Income generation
Income Generation through High-Value Cash Crops, Horticulture, and Beekeeping

Developing realistic opportunities for income generation is one of the most challenging tasks of development in mountain areas ...

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb)

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb) is a high value cash crop and a main source of cash income for farmers ...

Replication of #Godavari Technologies in Chukha District, #Bhutan

Below is an excerpt from Mr. Yeshi Dorji, Agricultural Officer of BCCI, Bhutan about the successful adoption of kiwi cultivation ...

11 Dec 2019 Scientific research
Carbon monitoring

An inventory of carbon monitoring plots was conducted in May 2012 to establish a mechanism for long-term monitoring of forest ...

3D or Vertical Farming

Taking vegetables to a third dimension seems like the stuff of sci-fi movies, but in reality there are very effective ...

Herbal garden establishment

What is an herb garden? An herb garden is often a dedicated space in a garden, devoted to growing a specific ...