Malawi looks to diversify energy mix with ethanol stove plan (and reduce GHG emissions)

[JohnWxy]

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/malawi-looks-to-diversify-energy-mix-with-ethanol-stove-plan-2008-01-25
The Malawi government says it is seeking engineering firms interested in the manufacture of components for use in a specialised ethanol-based stove, which the government wants to promote as a way of diversifying from overdependence on firewood, paraffin and charcoal.

The stove has been developed by a local company, Bluewave Limited, as part of the SuperBlue Project, which is meant to promote the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel for cooking in Malawi.



Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Resources Henry Chimunthu-Banda asserts that the project could also have an impact in mitigating the effects of climate change. He explains that with 100 000 families in Malawi using the ethanol-based stoves, 720 000 t(ons) of carbon could be abated and 21 300 ha of trees saved yearly.

Malawi is among the producers of cane ethanol in the region with production emanating from two plants, which are Ethco-owned Dwangwa plant in the central lakeshore region and another one owned by a local firm Press Cane at Nchalo in the southern region. The two are adjacent to sugarcane plantations and sugar factories for South African sugar group Illlovo.

~~
~~
Currently, poverty and population growth are posing escalating pressures on Malawi's indigenous forests and associated biodiversity as the country's energy balance is heavily dominated by firewood, paraffin and charcoal.

Current annual household consumption of firewood and charcoal in Malawi are at 7, 5-million tonnes and exceeding sustainable supply by 3, 7-million tonnes.

~~
~~

Malawi is also testing the practicability of using ethanol as an alternative fuel to drive vehicles, and has just imported a flexi-fuel vehicle from Brazil to be used in the tests.

The other alternative energy sources that the southern African country is exploring include wind, solar power and cow dung.

Malawian experts have already been to India to study how the Asian country is applying such technologies and is also working with South Africa on the technologies courtesy of an agreement to work together on science and technology that the two countries signed last year.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------