Sounds of Nicaragua

Hi again, I've recorded some interesting, funny, amazing videos of Nicaragua and every once in awhile I'm going to post one or two on my blog.  An ongoing novela of sorts.  Enjoy.

Walking to El Roblar:

Rain on a tin roof:

What we're doing

Hi again,  sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog.  I guess we've been kind of busy, a lot of traveling to different communities to get the foundations laid out for the upcoming projects.  Overall things are going well, both with work and socially.  I've met some nice people down here to hang out with and I don't quite feel as isolated anymore.  I am though considering buying a motorcycle to get around a little easier, the bus system, while adequate, can be quite agonizing at times.  Also, I figure if I can survive the streets of Managua on a motorcycle I can survive just about anything.

Some people have asked for some more information on the specific projects that I'll be working on over the next few months so I thought I'd take this opportunity to spread a little more light on what we're doing.

Project #1: Solar Water Pump in Sonzapote

Sonzapote is a community of around 350 people.  They are located in a somewhat remote and isolated area of Boaco and currently have to access to running water 

or electricity.  They're sources of water currently include two public wells and a some privately owned wells as well.  Much of the community is located in a part known as "Arriba" and they have to carry their water almost half a mile up a 300 ft climb (when I climbed this myself, with no load to carry I was sweating and out of breath).

So Asofenix has committed to installing a solar water pumping system comprised of 2 tanks that will deliver water to all 70+ houses.  The system will operate by locating a the largest tank above the community and then gravity feeding the water to the community.

So far the well has been dug and the pump/tubes/solar panels/etc have been purchased and site designed.  We are currently waiting for the end of the raining season (end of October) to begin construction on the site.

As with all of our projects the maintainence and repair of the system will be done by the community using a fund that they will create by paying each month a small amount from each family into a general fund that is regulated by the community and saved for a later day.

Project #2:  Microhydro Electric System in El Roblar

I had the pleasure of journeying to El Roblar this week past and in my opinion it is one of the most isolated communities I have ever visited.  Once we had driven as far as we could getting there consisted of walking 2 hours through mud filled "roads" (no car can go up them) and jungle winding paths.  However, once there it is a breathtakingly beautiful area complete

with two waterfalls, perfect for microhydro.  Last week I measured the flow rate of this river and on Wednesday will be returning to measure the head, or total change in elevation, so as to get a measurement on the potencial energy available in the river.  We are currently estimating 10-13 Kw of energy for this site although there are some worries as to the accuracy of this info.

In addition to measuring the potencial energy of the system I am also trying to design (with the help of a generous electrical engineer) a electronic load control system to maintain a constant and full load on the generator by distributing the excess electricity to secondary loads (basically making sure the generator is fully loaded to that there's no fluctuations in voltage or frequency).  The last microhydro system Asofenix completed did not have this sort of control and there have been problems with the distribution grid.

 We plan on starting construction of this project in the beginning of November.  At least with constructing the machine house and the power lines.

Project 3:  La Laguna MicroHydro

I'm not too involved with this project but is going to be going on during the same time as the El Roblar project.  It is a larger system that will be designed for 25 Kw of energy, with the river having a capacity for much more if needed.  If I can successfully design the control system mentioned before it will probably be implemented here as well.

Project #4:  El Curoso Solar Electric Project

Simple but effective project.  A micro loan/finance project in which solar panels are sold to each house in the community and they are then allowed to pay back the principle over the next few years depending on their financial situation.

Jaime talking with a community leader in El Curoso