Tziscao, Chiapas, Mexico April 22-28
This workshop provides an overview of technologies which promote small scale renewable energy and resource management systems in the developing world. With an emphasis on the unique challenges presented by international project work, the workshop is ideal for people wanting to get involved in sustainable development work, organizations working in rural areas, and those who wish to reduce their own ecological impact.
Applying renewable energy and resource management technologies to the rural indigenous community of Tziscao, Chiapas, participants will explore the dynamic social, economic, and ecological relationships which inhabitants have with energy and resource procurement and allocation.
Participants will learn to identify realistic project objectives and how to use local resources and apply appropriate technology to meet those objectives. An emphasis will be placed on cultural sensitivity, maximizing community involvement to accomplish each objective in a way that complements local culture and infrastructure. Effective technology transfer methods will be presented, as well as case studies on rural household electrification, appropriate building technologies, and micro-enterprises utilizing appropriate technology.
This course will be taught in both English and Spanish.
Este curso será dictado en inglés y español.
Topics Include:
- Appropriate Technology Projects & Applications
- Introduction To Solar Hot Water
- Basics Of Electricity
- Introduction To Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Energy
- PV System Components, Sizing & Design
- Introduction To Wind Power Systems
- Introduction To Micro-Hydro Systems
- Introduction To Water Pumping Systems
- Introduction To Rainwater Harvesting
- Introduction To Biofuels & Biogas
- Financing Project Management Issues
- Hands-On Installation Of Small PV System
Sessions
(Price includes meals & accommodations)
Normal Package including Lunches (no accomodations): $725 USD
Basic Package, course only: $665 USD
Sponsor Contacts:
Additional Details:
Workshops begin at 9 am unless otherwise noted. Please show up at 8:30 am the first day.
Food and Lodging
All Lodging, meals (beginning Sunday morning, April 22 and ending with breakfast on April 29th) and transportation (from/to San Cristobal de las Casas and during the course) are included in the tuition price. Food and lodging will be provided by a local co-operative in Tziscao. Food will consist of local cuisine and lodging will be shared rooms and bathrooms with hot water in cabanas on the shore of Lake Tziscao. Camping options are available. Those with special lodging or food needs should contact IRRI directly. The course will be held in La Casa de Salud, (The Health House) run by EduPaz (Education for Peace) a local educational organization devoted promoting peace through ecology, equity, and justice.
Logistics
Participants should plan on being in San Cristóbal de las Casas by the evening of April 21, 2007. We will have an introductory meeting a 6 pm in La TierrAdentro, a cultural center and café in the center of San Cristóbal to discuss the plan for the week and to take care of any last minute details. This is only one block from the center of San Cristóbal and a short hike from the bus station. (TierrAdentro, Real Guadalupe No. 24, Centro, San Cristóbal de las Casas, (967) 674 6766, www.tierradentro.org.mx) Information and messages regarding the courses will also be posted and can be left at Tierra Adentro for anyone arriving late or for any unforeseen change of plans. Lodging in San Cristobal on Saturday night is not included in the course cost, but there are a number of excellent options within a short walk of Tierra Adentro for between $11-30 USD (see lodging suggestions below).
San Cristóbal is less than an hour from the airport in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital city of Chiapas. Multiple flights are available daily to Tuxtla Gutierrez from Mexico City, as well as other major Mexican cities. Van and taxi services are available to San Cristóbal, the cost is between $10-40 USD, and can be less expensive if participants share a taxi or wait for the collective vans services. IRRI Mexico can help arrange transport once we know everyone’s travel itineraries.
Bus service to San Cristóbal de las Casas from other Mexican Cities is provided by ADO and OCC and arrangements can be made at www.ticketbus.com.mx . From Mexico City the trip is about 14 hours and there are overnight itineraries. Participants may already be traveling in country and can contact IRRI Mexico directly for travel options.
We will depart from TierrAdentro at 9 am, Sunday, April 22 in vans for Tziscao, Chiapas on the Guatemalan border—a beautiful 3 hour trip through the mountains. The course will run through Saturday, April 28th, and transportation will be provided Sunday morning, April 29th, from Tziscao back to San Cristóbal, with an option for transport all the way to the Tuxtla Gutierrez airport. We will arrive in the early afternoon, and participants should plan their post-course travel accordingly.
Some suggested lodging options:
Related Reading
Building Without Borders by Joseph Kennedy
Rural Energy Services by Teresa Anderson, Alison Doig, Dai Rees and Smail Khennas
The Solar Food Dryer by Eben Fodor
Related Workshops
Hands-on Biodigester and Biogas for Rural Mexico (IRRI – Mexico)
Water Management and Technology (IRRI – Mexico)
Renewable Energy for the Developing World (SEI)
