Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(written in German by Rosmarie Kayser, published at Bethlehem Mission Immensee, Switzerland)

translated by Wolfy Becker

http://filer.livinginperu.com/features/img/simon_rueegsegger.jpg200301

Simon Rüegsegger, solar energy expert from Switzerland

© livinginperu

At the beginning of January, Swiss solar energy engineer Simon Rüegsegger is flying to Peru and staying there for the next three years. On behalf of the Bethlehem Mission Immensee (-link-), he will participate in a project that will introduce simple solar energy techniques to the population high up in the Andes.

Until roughly a year ago, leaving his home country for an extended time period wasn’t in Simon’s plans at all. In July 2002, Simon, who has a degree in heating engineering, founded his own alternative energy business in Niedermuehren (Swiss region of Fribourg), and the business had just started to take off.

Then he traveled to Peru for a 3 week vacation and to visit his acquaintance Thomas Kläy who worked for the Bethlehem Mission on a solar energy project at Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world.

“On the last day of my visit, Thomas asked me if I would be interested in working on such a project“, Simon said. “My first reaction was "no way". I am doing really well in Switzerland, the business is just starting to grow, and I cannot leave here”.

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Very interesting article, thank you, I checked the link and though the website is in german, you can get some idea that there are more projects related to "sustainable living".
For more information check the website (in Deutsch):
http://www.bethlehem-mission.ch/de/weltweit/ww_peru_d.shtml
Or contact the local coordinator in Peru:

Hildegard Willer
Lima, Peru
hilwiller@yahoo.es

Bethlehem Mission Immensee
Ressort Mission
CH- 6405 Immensee

Tel. Fax

+41 41 854 12 48 +41 41 854 14 00

mission@bethlehem

MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R9

 

In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy sources must change.

"Energy drives our entire economy."  We must protect it.  "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy."  The American way of life is not negotiable.

Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.

 

The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, etc.  The source of energy must by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, etc. including utilizing water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption.

 

The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years.  At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy.  (This can be done by amending building code)

 

In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants.  The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.  

 

 A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy.  The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task. 

 

This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth.  (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.

"To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."

 

Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant

Northridge, CA.  91325

1-16-2007

 P.S.  I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence. Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again. Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 24 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?

Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence. Installing renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage. 

Nations of the world should unite and join together in a cohesive effort to develop and implement MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY for the sake of humankind and future generations.

hi"  you dont show anything about power cost or energy cost in your country.could you please email me back,im doing reseach in south africa.

Regarding the article: "Increasing life quality in Peru with Solar Energy", where can we find more information on Simon Rüegsegger' progress with the solar energy project in Peru?

Renewable Energy Manufactures/suppliers should use their own product to manufacture.

 

The manufacturers’ of Solar Panels and other forms of renewable energy with related support products manufactures/suppliers - should have at least the decency to practice what they preach what they market to the public.

That would be the best marketing approach I can think off.

If they believe in the product they manufacture/sell, they should utilize it to its fullest potential.

It will give the manufacturer the actual experience of utilizing the product on a daily basis, view and experience any shortcoming or improvements that are needed, implement the improvements and capitalize on that revision to improve the product and its performance.

This will instill confidence in the public to purchase the product.

 

Jay Draiman, Energy Analyst

 

PS

As with any new technology, PV will become more efficient, cheaper and cleaner to produce. In order for this to happen we (Governments / NGOs / Individuals) need to invest more time and money into making PV viable, e.g. through increased incentives, regulations, technical standards, R&D, manufacturing processes and generating consumer demand.

Just like the automobile industry, the manufacture used its own product.

Over the years the automobile industry and technology has evolved from the early 1900 to what it is today the year 2008.

I predict that in 10 years the automobile we know today will change drastically for the better, with new fuel technology and other modification that will improve its scales of economy and features.