"Sustainable Energy Technologies"A Project in Bolivia

Project Leader
University of Applied Sciences Aargau
CH-5210 Windisch, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Christoph Holliger

Project Partners
Taunus Electromecánica, La Paz
Universidad San Andrés, La Paz
Universidad Priv. Boliviana, Cochabamba
Swisscontact, La Paz and Switzerland

Introduction
By means of an early introduction of sustainable energy technologies in Bolivia and the demonstration of their feasibility, we wish to contribute to and support efforts to give such alternatives a chance. The project initiates the development of low-tech systems which are understood by and can be maintained and further deployed by the local population such that the Swiss committment can be slowly reduced. It is a primary goal to use materials that are locally available.

• Development and test of a prototype for a solar heating system that is suitable for the local condition in the Bolivian altiplano.
• Production of a small series of low-cost collectors with locally available materials and local work forces.
• Inclusion of Bolivian students into the technical project development as well as into its marketing study. .
• Preparation of Swiss and Bolivian students for a global market.
• Cultural exchange between Bolivia and Switzerland: Development of knowledge and sensibility for the collaboration between industrialized and developing countries.

Results
A feasibility study carried out during the summer of 2000 put forth valuable contacts to the following institutions, all interested in a future collaboration:

• 8 universities and/or technica
• 5 private companies
• 8 national and international organisations

Two freshly graduated mechanical engineers of the University of Applied Science Aargau have started their work in La Paz on the 30th of January 2000. They shall produce and test a prototype collector for heating in collaboration with Taunus Electromechánica, El Alto.

Contact:
Prof. Christoph Holliger, FHA, ch.holliger@fh-aargau.ch, + 41 56 462 44 06