[Stoves] Climate change, CDM and stoves

[Attila]

Good day 

 

I have only recently joined the "stove club" but I find it very interesting.

 

We have some projects running where we want to replace paraffin and paraffin
stoves/ lamps with much safer and eco-friendly ethanol based fuel. The
latest one is where we going to eliminate paraffin use completely in about
3500 households in one of the townships.

The gel fuel is an ethanol based source of energy (ethanol produced from
sugarcane, but maize can also be source). It is mixed with a gelling agent
and a denatured to make it undesirable for human consumption. It is very
easy to use and due to its gel consistency it is very safe. All these
properties make it a very good alternative to replace paraffin in the low
income households. We all know the dangers and the damage caused to life and
property from the accidental paraffin fires. These could be prevented by
ethanol gel fuel, which can be used for cooking and heating. We also provide
a safe light source to replace paraffin lamps and candles. These are the
social aspects of the projects, but you may be more interested in some other
figures.

 

There are about 20 million people using about 700 million liters of paraffin
every year as a household energy source in South Africa, so the volumes are
enormous with lots of pollution emitted into the air. People who don't have
money or access to buy paraffin use firewood (deforestation) or coal
instead, which is not better. So government is looking for alternatives but
unfortunately electricity won't be available for everybody in the short to
medium term (and many people don't use it as they regard it more expensive
then paraffin). Gas isn't a very good option either - expensive, dangerous
in township conditions. 

Ethanol gel fuel is renewable and enviro-friendly and comparing the CO2 gas
emissions only, paraffin emissions are about 35-40% higher (I don't have a
comparison of the other gases yet, but I'm expecting an even more favourable
rate as ethanol has minimal emission of the other GHGs). 

 

I would be very interested in your opinion if our projects could be eligible
for CERs?  


I have contact with another group and I had some info from them - but only
as a comment.
 - replacement of traditional fuel stoves and fuel (wood, coal) with
renewable fuel doesn't qualify for carbon credits
- replacing paraffin / kerosene with renewable energy as household fuel does
qualify 

I am also busy to organize a lab test to compare the efficiency / amount
fuel used and the difference in gas emissions when using paraffin & stove
and ethanol gel fuel & stove under the same conditions. 

We also try to get some gas emission measurements in the township we
presently busy with before replacing the paraffin and after when we
converted all users to ethanol gel. (Some funding would obviously help.) 

Local government is aware of the project but receive funding is always a
problem.

 If the project was CDM credited international funding could also help the
expansion as well. We have contacts in other African countries which also
have the same problems with domestic fuels in low income households, so the
volumes could be even bigger than within the SA border.

Are you aware of any similar project or have any information related to the
application for CDM credibility?

 

I would be really interested what you guys think of the concept and I would
appreciate if you came back to me.

 

Attila Szabo

CleanHeat

Tel  (+27) (0)21 448 7160

Fax (+27) (0)86 689 1138

cleanheat at icon.co.za