PI:  Kenneth Bryden
Co-PIs:  Richard LeSar

Summary: We believe that we can aid the improvement of the lives of rural Malians by using an innovative modular electrical system to address the need for locally controlled, economically feasible, and sustainable energy and lighting systems in rural villages. Students from Iowa State University(ISU) are working with students from the University of Bamako (UB) to develop reproducible and sustainable products that provide lighting and other energy needs for off-grid rural households. One of the most innovative aspects of this program is that it takes advantage of an underutilized resource: excess power from solar-powered village water systems. As part of this program, local entrepreneurs will be trained to implement and continue these activities as a local business. In addition, students will work to develop appropriate household products including lighting, fan-driven biomass stoves, and water purification devices that take advantage of this power source and can
be marketed and maintained through the same distribution network.