2. BACKGROUND
Project area was identified
by Villanova professor and
Peace Corp. volunteer
Villanova students and
faculty have been involved
in this area since the
summer of 2009 through
engineering design projects
and business development
initiatives
3. VILLAGE OF MAGGOK IN HUNGDUAN, IFUGAO
Rehabilitation of a25kWmicro-hydro system in a small rural village of the
Philippines began in Summer of 2009 through efforts of Villanova
University and Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo)
4. IDENTIFYING THE OPPORTUNITY
51 identified hydroelectric sites in Ifugao
alone have the potential to generate 25KW
or more
The cost of electricity in Ifugao is among
the highest in the nation
20 Million Filipinos are still without
electricity
Established local partners and contacts
Existing potential business opportunities in
rice production through terraces
(Philippines is the #1 importer of rice)
Rural communities located hours from the
nearest road have little chance of being
connected to the grid
Micro-hydroelectric systems
provide clean reliable and
affordable electricity, generated
from within the community
6. MISSION
We aim to empower small rural villages in the
province of Ifugao, Philippines with the tools to
raise themselves out of poverty, by working with the
community to implement clean energy systems that
will light their path to an improved standard of living
and a better way of life.
We aim to develop a scalable and replicable model
for an independent and completely sustainable
power producing community using renewable
energy technologies.
7. VALUE PROPOSITION
Alleviate poverty and encourage development using
electricity as an enabling technology
Empower local people through entrepreneurial
education and business opportunities
Self reliance and sustenance through proper
training and added resources
Local economy stimulation
Affordable and reliable electricity through local
production
Speedy repairs through local maintenance
8. PLAN OF ACTION
Stage1: (Current Stage, Jan-July 2012) Assessment, site
identification, community engagement, social and economic
research, design, and development
Stage 2: Construction and implementation
Two Villanova University engineering alumni
will work in the Philippines in cooperation with
in-country contacts and partners in a two
stage approach.
*Funding has only been received for Stage 1
9. STAGE 1 GOALS
Fully understand technical, social, political,
environmental, and business aspects of the project.
Establish local partnerships and resources
Do feasibility studies on water sources
Identify a community with the potential to sustain and
fully utilize a power generating facility near a potential
hydroelectric site
Build Community commitment
Work with the community to draft designs of systems
Become prepared to build a micro-hydroelectric power
system in a rural village in Ifugao
Contact local contractors and manufacturers
Finalize permitting process and file paperwork
Finalize engineering plan
10. EMPOWERMENT THOUGH ENGAGEMENT
Community is treated as equal partners and not recipients of
charity contributing in time and labor
Ensures sustainability since community gains a sense of responsibility
Community participation during all stages of the project will
produce a system that is
Built by and for the community
Fully understood by the community
Independently maintained, repaired, and operated
A cooperative will be established within the community to run and
maintain the hydro facility as a local business.
Cooperative will be trained and connected with local professional
resources to:
Effectively run their own micro-hydroelectric business
Aid and encourage the development of other businesses in the
community using their electricity.
11. IMPACT THROUGH BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Business Development workshops will be held to prepare
the community to fully utilize the electricity
More businesses that develop using electricity means more
income for the hydroelectric cooperative selling the
electricity
Business Development within the community will stimulate
the local economy
Successful businesses result in higher income and an
increased standard of living
