Overview: This project demonstrates the use of wind and solar energy sources to recharge batteries and meet lighting and other power needs within homes. A hybrid wind/solar power station has been built, and public awareness campaigns about proper battery maintenance and disposal have been conducted.

Implementation arrangements: The project is led by a community organization, called the Bufumira Islands Development Association (BIDA). This community group has partnered with the East African Energy Technology Development Network (EA-ETDN), based in Kampala, Uganda. EA-ETDN has provided technical expertise, while BIDA offers local knowledge and strong ties in the community. BIDA has formed a community committee to manage the wind-solar hybrid power station. This station is mainly used to re-charge batteries, which are used to meet household energy needs and also the needs of fishermen working at night. The community members managing the power stations have established a system by which people can pay to have their batteries recharged there. The cost for charging a battery is approximately $1. A receipt is given for each payment, the funds are distributed as follows: 30% to the technician, 50% to the bank, and 20% for maintenance and office costs. Those customers who do not own batteries can purchase them from the charging station on credit. While the stations serve approximately 100 people, there is a much greater need than this for battery charging services.

In addition to establishing the power plant, some homes have begun to make use of solar panels to meet their energy needs. To overcome the significant financial barriers involved in accessing solar panels, BIDA is creating a small credit fund to help people purchase the panels. Eleven homes have already received solar panels, which were paid for by BIDA, but users are paying back the cost of the equipment over time, thereby improving ownership and responsibility among the users.

Technology:
? Musoni Site: A solar-wind hybrid power station has been built at Musoni. This system consists of 3 wind generators of 400kW each, combined with six solar panels. This power station is used to charge batteries. So far, the wind generators have not performed as well as expected due to insufficient wind. During the rainy season, the solar panels provide substantially less charging capacity.
? Bufumira: the BIDA office and the local primary school now receive power through installations at this site, and battery charging services are available to the community. Seven solar panels, one inverter, 3 power regulators, and 2 100AH solar batteries are now installed and used here. The office has been fitted with 7 energy-efficient light bulbs. The primary school also has a solar battery and energy-efficient light bulbs.
? Bukasa: the secondary school receives light, and battery charging services are available to the community. This site involves 8 solar panels, 3 regulators, 1 inverter. The secondary school has two 100AH solar batteries and 10 energy-efficient light bulbs.

Environmental Benefits:
? Global: reduced use of firewood, kerosene and paraffin reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, Lake Victoria feeds into the Nile and borders on several countries, so improvements in local water quality may also be considered to bring global benefits.
? Local: the project has initiated the use of rechargeable batteries, and has begun to educate users about proper battery maintenance and disposal. This means that water pollution problems related to improper dry cell battery disposal may be reduced.

Livelihood Benefits:
? Income generation: at least 12 community members now supplement their incomes by recharging batteries for other households at the wind/solar hybrid power station. In addition, better access to battery power can help support fishing activities. In addition, increased use of BIDA?s newly lit lodge is also increasing income to BIDA.
? Health: reduced use of firewood and kerosene may bring health improvements. In addition, households are using less paraffin for lighting, which has led to a reduced number of accidents involving paraffin.
? Education: Bukasa secondary school and the Bufumira primary school have received power a result of the project. Improved lighting access in homes can also enable children to study in the evenings.
? Increased stability: users of batteries have responded to surveys conducted by BIDA saying that access to the battery charging systems have helped encourage them to settle permanently in the area.

Beneficiaries:
Immediate beneficiaries are the estimated 100 people who now have access to rechargeable batteries and/or solar panels to meet energy needs.

Capacity Development:
The grantee, BIDA, has significantly improved its operational capacity both through training of its staff members and through the improvement of its office conditions and equipment. For example, the project received a donated computer since the office now has access to power.

Community members are receiving training in technical issues provided by EA-ETDN. Those involved in managing the power generator are improving their skills in project management. Finally, community members are receiving training in proper battery maintenance, which will increase the lifetime of batteries and improve their access to energy services.

Partners:
The partnership between BIDA and the East Africa Energy Technology Development Network (EA-ETDN) is critical for the success of this project. EA-ETDN is an established NGO with technical expertise and contacts across East Africa, while BIDA is a local community organization. EA-ETDN is able to provide technical assistance and conduct assessments for alternative energy use in the Kalagala District around Lake Victoria, which will in turn benefit their work in similar projects in the region. BIDA, on the other hand, benefits from their expertise in renewable energy.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Environmental Management:

This project sought to demonstrate how renewable energy can improve local livelihoods while relieving pressure on water systems that are being contaminated by old batteries. Much more information, such as how many people are now using renewable batteries, background on the water contamination problem and evidence for reduced problems with battery disposal, would be necessary to assess whether or not this project, if scaled up, could successfully achieve these goals.

2. Barrier Removal:

Technical
By implementing the first demonstration project on a solar/wind hybrid in the area, this project should reduce technical barriers by assessing the feasibility of more large scale implementation of this type of energy source. EA-ETDN?s involvement should be very helpful in this regard.

Information/Knowledge
The project has promoted awareness among battery users about the impacts of improper battery disposal, along with the benefits of using rechargeable batteries. However, the project?s final evaluation indicates that there is a much greater need for battery charging in the area than can be met by the current power stations. In addition, the surveys of users indicate that there is still some lack of understanding about these power systems. For example, some do not appear to understand why during the rainy season there is less battery charging capacity, and some think that the technology is poor.

3. Scaling Up:

There is great potential for scaling up since there are many islands in this region to which it will be very difficult to extend the grid. Thus, a successful demonstration of renewable energy sources could be of great help to this region if scaled up to meet more peoples? energy needs. However, additional work seems necessary to decide upon the best way to scale up the project. The final evaluation proposes wind generators for every power station even though it is acknowledged that their performance is still low. Technical issues therefore still need to be addressed.