2009 Economic Development Award Laureate
Alternative Energy for Empowerment
| Laureate Country: South Africa |
| Project Countries: South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia |
| Website: www.aedc.co.za |
Rolf Papsdorf of Alternative Energy Development Corporation (AEDC), developed a line of environmentally friendly, inexpensive zinc-air fuel cells that generate energy 24/7, for non grid electrification.
According to the International Energy Agency, 1.6 billion people worldwide, mostly in poor, rural communities, do not have access to electricity. The GUYUNI and Rosh Pinah community, in Africa, was using harmful materials such as paraffin and candles to illuminate dark areas.
The largest zinc air fuel cell project in the world has been implemented by AEDC in the village of Guyuni, South Africa. 300 dwellings now have lights, 27 rural people now have a disposable income through job creation, and a vegetable garden uses waste zinc oxide - created by the fuel cells during energy production - as high value fertilizer, providing food security.
