Work with partners to protect biological and cultural diversity in selected project areas. Initiated a rural alternative energy program in China's Yunnan Province in 2001. The alternative energy program provides technical and financial support to communities within or adjacent to critical ecological areas for the implementation of a variety of renewable energy technologies, including solar water heaters, biogas digesters, and micro hydropower generators, as well as fuel efficiency improvement technologies, such as improved cooking stoves and fireplaces, in order to substitute or reduce firewood consumption, so as to minimize fuel wood use's subsequent adverse ecological and health consequences. As of the end of June 2008, over 12,000 alternative energy installations have been completed at more than 350 remote rural communities of six counties. Preliminary monitoring results show that these installations help rural households saving firewood by 25-80% (varies due to differences of installation components and/or combination of installations), and also help improve indoor air quality very significantly (CO reduced by 70-88%, PM2.5 reduced by 48-92%), and save time and efforts in fuelwood collection and cooking.
Contact Information
Our Focus
Addressing rural household energy and indoor air pollution issues in the northwestern part of China's southwestern province of Yunnan.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Conduct detailed study and review of cooking and heating practices of target population and users' perception of improved technologies. Conduct community engagement activities to influence behavioral change associated with adoption of alternative energy for improved health outcomes. Implement alternative energy in pilot households and schools of selected sites for demonstration and educational purposes.
Support rural energy enterprises with business development services and help to build local capacity for securing investment and income generation. Nurture and work with local enterprises to provide commercial rural energy products and services for cooking and heating. Develop the market for improved technologies by leveraging government resources and pursuing established market strategies to meet delivery objectives.
Assess the alternative cooking and heating technologies and consult with end-users to improve design and performance standards and to meet set guidelines. Develop manufacturing and installation guidelines and build local capacity to increase local capacity in the production and maintenance of these technologies.
Prior to and after installation of improved technologies, evaluate indoor pollution levels among a sample of target households.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Share experience and lessons on introducing various types of alternative energy (biogas, solar water heater, micro hydropower) and improved cooking/heating stoves into poor remote rural areas by actively involving in workshops, and forums.
