Smart Grid on Main Street: Electricity and Value-added Processing for Agricultural Goods
Project title
Smart Grid on Main Street: Electricity and Value-added Processing for Agricultural Goods
Project country/region
☐ East Asia & Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Carribean - Haiti
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ South Asia
☐ Sub-Saharan Africa
Project organisation
Earth Spark International
Project description
CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTION
EarthSpark has developed a solar-diesel hybrid micro-grid system that will increase access to affordable, reliable electricity for value-added agricultural processing. By providing technical guidance and facilitating access to financing for local partners, EarthSpark will assist agribusinesses in upgrading to efficient electric mills so the processing of rice, sorghum, coffee, and corn can be modernized. The project first focuses on breadfruit crops that typically rot due to lack of processing. Converting the fruit to flour or chips extends the shelf life by months and significantly increases its value and marketability.
IMPACT
By reducing agricultural waste and enabling value-added processing, the project will boost agribusiness incomes as well as provide surrounding residents with access to electricity, through a pre-paid smart metering system. The project will demonstrate a sustainable business model for operating a local micro-grid, for agribusiness’ upgrading to efficient electric mills, and for breadfruit processing.
ORGANIZATION
EarthSpark International is a U.S.-based, nonprofit organization with over four years’ experience working with communities, businesses, and government to bring energy access to Haiti’s unelectrified population. Through its local brand Enéji Pwóp, EarthSpark is an established and recognized brand in Haiti with the track record and infrastructure to scale up its clean energy and micro-grid activities. For this project, EarthSpark has partnered with the Haitian agro-processing company Entreprises La Foi.
Earth Spark International participated successfully in the PAEGC Initiative (https://poweringag.org/) and was with its project 'Smart Grid on Main Street: Electricity and Value-added Processing for Agricultural Goods' among the winners of 2013
Project related to following sources of energy
☐ Solar
☐ Biomass
☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas
☐ Wind
☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro
☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /
Project primarily related to the following Commodity Groups
☐ Cereals
☐ Fruits and vegetables
☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage
☐ Dairy products
☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds
☐ Roots and Tubers
☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses
☐ Fiber Crops
☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars
☐ Stimulants
☐ Spices
☐ Other: /
Project primarily related to the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization
☑ Efficiency of Operation
☑ Processing
☐ Transportation
☐ Controlled Atmosphere
☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting
☐ Preservation
☐ Other: /
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