Microhydro in the Philippines

Providing clean energy to rural communities in the Philippines

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Our Mission

Clean energy in rural communities

Many families in rural areas of the Philippines have incredibly unreliable access to energy due to poor infrastructure. We want to design and prototype microhydro electric generation systems that could be set up in rivers or streams in these areas to help solve this problem. We will research the materials and technology needed to build these microhydro systems, as well as the cost, both monetary and environmental, of installing them in an existing body of water. The size and scale of the hydroelectric generator will be an important consideration for the research team as well, and we’ll need to find the right balance between minimalist design and power output. We will also compare our project to photovoltaic solar panels, to see whether one is more practical or cost-efficient than the other.

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Our Team

Scott Pirkle is a fifth-year Aerospace Engineering graduate student with minors in math, physics, and astronomy. He hopes to apply his varied skillset to bettering the condition of humanity at large by bringing clean, affordable energy to all.

Nolan Elauria is a third-year physics undergraduate student with minors in astronomy and math. His frequent visits to the Philippines inspired this project, and he hopes to give back to small communities in the country his parents grew up in.

Will Dresser is a fourth-year Electrical Engineering student focusing in power and renewable power sources. This project could help to bring clean and reliable energy to communities in the Philippines, and Will wants to lend his electrical knowledge to the cause.

Jake Perlman is a second-year General Engineering student with a concentration in renewable energy. This project will allow him to examine small-scale micro-hydro power to improve the lives of those without access to industrial power sources.

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