Fw: Introduction from Ken Brauer on Nepalese conditions

["Ron Larson" <ronallarson@qwest.net>]

Stovers:

    This is a nice introduction from a new member - with a serious stoves problem in Nepal.  Ideas?

 

Ken:

    Generally we have avoided the subject of solar cookers on this list, but I wonder if a location at 14,000 feet isn't a good place to consider these.  What has been your experience with introduction?  Are you using box-type or concentrators?  What cost can be afforded?

 

    We have had a lot of discussion on this list of charcoal-making stoves that are much cleaner burning than what you are using.  My experience is that they did a very poor job with dung as a fuel.  Maybe digesters make sense as a better way to utilize dung?

 

Please keep us informed of what you learn.  Glad to receive your introduction.

 

Ron

----- Original Message -----

From: Ken Bauer

To: Ron Larson

Sent: Saturday, January 20, 2001 12:24 PM

Subject: Re: Welcome to "stoves"

Hi Ron:

Thanks for your email and for being the list coordinator for stoves. Below is my introduction.

 

Hello. I'm Ken Bauer, president of a non-profit called DROKPA ("nomad" in Tibetan). We are working with pastoral communities in Nepal to disseminate alternative energy - solar cookers and solar lights, specifically. The mountain environments where we work are largely treeless, villages at 14,000 feet that depend on yak and goat dung, as well as thorny shrubs for fuel. Respiratory and eye diseases are chronic amongst these mountain communities. Homes are stone fortresses with a drafty door and a hole in the roof for ventilation. Stoves currently used tend to be simple three prong metal stands, with your occassional tin can model.

 

I am curious to know whether other members of this list have worked on promoting alternative energy or fuel efficient technologies in similar environments, both culturally and physically. I look forward to learning from your experiences.

Thanks!

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Ron Larson

To: dougselby@hotmail.com ; ;

Sent: Friday, January 19, 2001 7:42 PM

Subject: Welcome to "stoves"

 Hi - Doug, "Nomad", tim

 

 

Glad to see your new subscriptions to "stoves".  We are somewhat more than 200 members from probably 35 or more countries.  As you probably know, we concentrate on trying to improve simple third world cookstoves - with occasional discussions also of charcoaling and a few other topics.  We try to avoid promoting commercial products.

 

    Please let me know if I can answer any questions about our past discussions (all on the web archives).

 

    Whenever you feel ready, pleae introduce yourself to the full list - perhaps through a question if you wish.

 

Again - welcome.

 

Ron (Volunteer stoves" list coordinator)