[Stoves] The PROTOS Plant Oil Cooker

[Shiroff, Samuel Neal (VB 3)]

A.D., Peter, Jeff,

I appreciate the interest and positive orientation toward  Protos.  We at
BSH are certainly aware that there are significant challenges to face in
introducing a new technology with a new fuel source.  As much as we would
like it to be true, we share Dr. Karve's concern about Jatropha hype and
clearly recognize that the sourcing/availability of adequate amounts of
inexpensive plant oil as the primary obstacle/requirement for successful
introduction of our stove.

To briefly respond the question of Castor oil, the cooker will burn any type
of plant oil so castor is definitely an option where it makes economic
sense.  In an ideal world, non-edible plant oils will be available at a
price lower than kerosene and produced by cooperatives that are also able to
make use of our stove themselves.  In reality, we recognize that this may
not always be the case.  When not, we are striving to ensure supplies of
plant oil are sustainably produced (biodiversity issues, water issues,
exploitation issues, etc.) and that use of the cooker will not cause a
significant market price change in the circumstance that the oil being
burned might otherwise be edible - for instance coconut oil.  We are in the
process of discussions with some international environmental organizations
to make sure that there is adequate expertise on board.

The nice part about the technology is that it really is a universal burner -
although some oils burn more cleanly and more efficiently than others.
Biodiesel works like a charm, but since it is a higher-value fuel tends to
make little economic sense.  As mentioned, castor oil is certainly a
consideration wherever it fulfills the requisite environmental, social and
economic conditions.  It should also be clear that we have not yet
completely solved the issue of residue left over from burning; that may be a
technical impossibility.  Over the last 3 years, we have improved the
lifespan from 2 hours to 2000+ hours (with proper maintenance). The cooker
requires cleaning in a process that takes about 20 minutes and must be done
twice a week depending upon usage.  However, unlike a kerosene stove, the
unpleasantness of the cleaning is only that one gets a bit of plant oil on
ones hands;  which actually makes the hands softer, so it isn't all
negative.

It should also be noted that we have identified the primary market as those
individuals who are already paying for their fuel supply - generally wood,
charcoal or kerosene.  It is the nature of this particular technology that
this is the market segment most likely to make use of it and be able to
afford the operating costs.  Perhaps at some point in the future we will
design a stove for other market segments, but at the moment we are
concentrating here.  BSH is in a learning process.  We have sold tens of
millions of stoves/cookers, but never to this group of customers.  Our
primary goal is to cover our costs at the moment - not to make a profit -
although if this turns out to be possible at some point in the future, that
would probably be a good way to ensure better products and more competition.

Regards,

Sam

********************************************

Samuel N. Shiroff

Director

BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH

Carl-Wery-Strasse 34

81739 Munich

Germany

T: +49 89 4590-3039

F: +49 89 4590-5079

E: samuel.shiroff at bshg.com

www.bsh-group.com / www.plantoilcooker.org

Protos. The Plant Oil Stove.

An Initiative of Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group.

BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH, Carl-Wery-Str. 34, 81739 München
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: Rudi Lamprecht
Geschäftsführung: Dr. Kurt-Ludwig Gutberlet (Vors.), Dr. Wolfgang Colberg,
Jean Dufour, Prof. E.h. Werner Vogt
Sitz: München; Registergericht: Amtsgericht München, HRB 75534;
WEEE-Reg.-Nr. DE 57986696

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