This past February, AIDG gave Haitian solar start-up, ENERSA, a $15,000 emergency loan to help it rebuild its factory damaged in the January 12 earthquake that rocked the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
Duration: 2 minutes 14 seconds
Before the quake struck, Enersa was the fastest growing solar company in Haiti, with contracts in all 10 departments and installations in 58 cities and remote villages. The 2 and a half year old company is the brainchild of Haitian born Jean Ronel Noël and Alex Georges who met in graduate school in Montreal while pursuing degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration. In 2000, the two decided they needed to return to Haiti to start a business that could create positive change in their home country.
Enersa’s product line includes solar street lighting, residential and commercial solar systems, and solar chargers for smaller devices like cell phones and lamps. They initially settled on LED streetlights as a flagship product after seeing Japanese company Nichia’s white LEDs in action on Montreal’s streets. The big question for them at the time was what would they use as an energy source if they wanted to port this technology to Haiti. Haiti’s electricity infrastructure was notoriously unreliable in urban zones and nonexistent in rural areas. However, the country’s location in the sun-drenched tropics and the relatively modest energy requirements of LED systems made solar an attractive option for the Enersa team, if a suitable price point could be reached.
In steps Richard Comp of Maine Solar and Skyheat who would come to be Noel and Georges’ mentor. He introduced the team to methods of solar fabrication including inexpensive ways of encapsulating PV cells. Through Skyheat, Comp has trained teams in Mali, Nicaragua, Haiti and Peru in small-scale solar panel manufacturing.
AIDG first learned about Enersa when our Executive Director, Peter Haas met Noel and Georges at the Inter-American Development Bank Haiti Business forum in Port-au-Prince last September.
“I was immediately impressed by [Noel] an engineer who taught himself the electrical engineering he was missing by using the free online engineering resources of MIT Opencourseware from Port Au Prince,” says Haas. “Also, after seeing the dramatic bootstrapping JR and Alex had done in starting their business, it was clear this team was different.”
My interaction with JR last week during a tour of the damaged Enersa facility reinforced that impression. Though the factory had sustained much damage — several collapsed interior and exterior walls, JR was optimistic about the company’s outlook. With the help of our emergency funding and some smart maneuvering, he expected to be back in production in a few short weeks. Enersa was lucky in that all their employees were safely accounted for and little of their inventory was damaged. Their latest shipment of solar cells had been safe in Miami at the time of the disaster.
In our chat, Noël stressed the importance of creating jobs in Haiti. He believes that for Haiti to flourish, enjoy sustained growth and ultimately transition into a developed nation, businesses need to create local employment opportunities. So rather than simply importing completed panels and lights, Enersa imports the basic building blocks and employs local youth for production and installation. In their solar streetlights for example, the small panel, LED lights and towers are all made in Haiti. The company’s 18 fully qualified solar technicians, all capable of installing solar streetlights and photovoltaic home systems, are from Port-au-Prince largest shantytown, Cité Soleil. An added benefit of local production, Noel added, is that their completed panels are also 25% cheaper. Double win.
Enersa’s client focus for the near future will be NGOs and private companies in Haiti who need reliable access to electricity and want to support a socially responsible local business.
To contact Enersa, please email enersahaiti {at] gmail (dot}com.
10 Engineers Provide “Emergency Engineering Support” in Response to the Haiti Earthquake
From the Preliminary MCEER-AIDG Team Report (University of Buffalo)
On Thursday, January 21, 2010, MCEER director Andre Filiatrault led a team of 10 French-speaking engineers to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Their mission was to assess the safety of buildings – principally, hospitals and food storage facilities – damaged by the January 12, 7.0M earthquake. The “Emergency Engineering Support” effort was initiated by the Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG) on behalf of the United Nations. It was quickly joined by MCEER, with the University at Buffalo-based Center playing the pivotal role in the recruitment, selection and deployment of the initial structural engineering team. The seven-day mission was critical to easing the delivery of medical services, food and water to the Haitian people. Perhaps more importantly, it laid a foundation for a more sustainable UN effort to continue the evaluation of an estimated 100,000 damaged structures still standing in Port-au-Prince.
MCEER-AIDG Emergency Engineering Support Unit get debriefed by Andrew Morton, UNEP
Dubbed the “Emergency Engineering Support Unit”, by UN officials, the team was stationed at the United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (MINUSTAH), adjacent to the Port-au-Prince airport. Members included Andre Filiatrault (MCEER, University at Buffalo), team leader; Reginald DesRoches (Georgia Institute of Technology), Caroline Zennie (Parsons Corporation), Scott DeHollander (MRB Group), Wassim Ghannoum (University of Texas), Eddy Germain (New Jersey Department of Transportation), Dan Gregory (Green Energy Corporation), Gabrielle Rigaud (Tufts University), Jean-Philippe Simon (U.S. Department of Defense), and Vladimir Charles (Second Floor Studios).
The team followed ATC-20-1 (Applied Technology Council-20-1: Field Manual: Postearthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings) tagging procedures:
INSPECTED (Green): Appears safe for lawful occupancy;
LIMITED ENTRY/RESTRICTED USE (Yellow): Limited entry/use, controlled by building owner/manager;
UNSAFE (Red): No entry unless controlled by jurisdiction.
ATC donated 15 field manuals and condensed instruction materials to the effort.
Upon arriving at the UN compound, the team met with relief officials to recommend and establish a protocol to field and fulfill inspection requests. They created a special email address (EES-Haiti [at}hotmail {dot] com) and a database to log requests and monitor the inspection process to completion. Included for each facility are its GPS coordinates, assigned ATC-20-1 placards, and hyperlinks to corresponding ATC-20-1 evaluation reports and building photos, among other relevant information. These procedures have been adopted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which will continue to direct emergency engineering support going forward.
Entering World Food Program Shodecosa Warehouse
Delmas 2 Warehouse
One troubling aspect to the team was the realization that many hospitals and other critical facilities that remained undamaged following the earthquake were going unused as Haitians feared they would collapse from aftershocks. Consequently, medical procedures were being conducted outdoors, and a good deal of food and water needed for the relief, was going undistributed.
In addition to hospitals and food storage facilities, team members also assessed stability of other infrastructure including government buildings, UN buildings, embassies, and NGO headquarters. In all, they inspected 115 buildings.
The collapsed Ministry of Justice
Inside the basement
MCEER’s director, Andre Filiatrault, inspects the collapsed Ministry of Justice to determine whether it is safe enough to enter the basement to extract important legal records.
Their volunteer efforts took place under the guidance of representatives from the United Nations Development Programme, Food for Health International, and other AIDG humanitarian partner organizations, that escorted them through the various inspection sites in Haiti. At times they traveled under the protection of UN forces.
Upon return to the U.S. the members of the team expressed how they were moved by the experience and the plight of the Haitian people. They are proud of the contributions they made to help speed relief at a time when it was needed most. All agree that they are changed by the experience, and now share a special bond.
Members of the AIDG-MCEER “Emergency Engineering Support” team pose together before their return from Port-au-Prince. They are (standing l to r): Andre Filiatrault, team leader; Jean-Philippe Simon, Reginald DesRoches, Dan Gregory, Scott DeHollander, Gabrielle Rigaud, Vladimir Charles, Eddy Germain, Caroline Zennie; (front) Wassim Ghannoum.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is continuing “Emergency Engineering Support” activities, which may take several months to complete. Those interested to volunteering their expertise to this continuing effort should contact:
Felipe Munevar
Manager a.i.
UNOPS
Haiti Project Centre
5, Impasse Delvime, rue Daniel Brun
Bois Moquette, Petion-Ville, Haiti
Tel. (509) 25 13 17 08 or (509) 25 13 17 09
Cell: (509) 37 02 35 36
E-mail: felipem {at] unops [dot} org
UNOPS website: www.unops.org
Additional Information
View larger map
Work in Progress: This is a partial list of structures inspected by AIDG’s earthquake and structural engineering volunteer teams. The color of the pointers indicate the placard assigned by the inspecting team. Green pointers means the structure was inspected and appears safe for lawful occupancy. Yellow indicates that use or entry into the building should be limited or restricted. Red means the building is unsafe and should not be entered unless controlled by jurisdiction. We’re currently working with volunteers, including Far McKon of Philly hackerspace Hive76 to create more interactive maps of this dataset.
At approximately 4:55 pm Eastern on Tuesday Port Au Prince experienced a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, with aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.7. There is widespread damage to infrastructure with numerous collapsed buildings. It is anticipated there will be a high casualty rate
The National Palace has collapsed (eyewitness photo)
The UN headquarters has been seriously damaged (source: UN)
The Hotel Montana has sustained collapse with 200 missing (source: associated press france)
A Hospital has collapsed (source:NYtimes)
We are currently developing opportunities for AIDG to aid in reconstruction with the help of partners. We will make another announcement on this shortly.
As you all know we are a small organization. We require some basic additional budget resources immediately to help run an assessment that will determine this longer term response aimed at infrastructure and reconstruction. If possible mail checks to:
AIDG
P.O. Box 104
Weston, MA 02493
We will actually receive these funds faster than online donations. We will be running a larger campaign in concert with our reconstruction announcement.
For those wishing to have an immediate direct impact on populations in Port Au Prince we are recommending supporting the medical response teams of Partners In Health. www.pih.org They are working with a field hospital set up by the UNDP that immediately needs pain meds, bandages and other medical supplies.
We ask you all to hold Haiti in your hearts and prayers as this tragedy unfolds.
Tonight we’re having our 5th annual holiday party. Can you believe it? It’s been five years since AIDG got started with $800 and a bag of tools. We’ve accomplished a lot in a short amount of time and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Our holiday party is how we say thanks to all our friends, colleagues and supporters. So if you are in the Boston area come mingle and get an update on the work you helped make happen. If you’re new to the AIDG community or want to be a part of it, don’t be shy! Come out and meet everybody. Hear the stories first hand.
Come Celebrate with us
LOCATION: Our office space in Chinatown.
33 Harrison Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111 DATE: Tuesday Dec. 29, 2009
TIME: 6PM -9 PM
RSVP: Cat Laine claine@aidg.org 800-401-3860 x703
Directions:
On the T From the Orange Line: Stop at Chinatown. Exit near intersection of Essex St and Washington St. Go East on Essex towards Chinatown. Make first right on Harrison Ave. If you hit Beach Street, you’ve gone too far.
From the Green Line: Stop at Boylston Street. Exit near intersection of Boylston St and Tremont St. Walk East on Boylston/Essex St 2 blocks (away from the Common). Take a right on Harrison Ave. If you hit Beach Street, you’ve gone too far.
From the Red Line: Stop at Downtown Crossing. Exit near intersection of Summer St and Washington St. Go Southwest on West on Washington St towards Park Street. Turn Left on Essex. Make first right on Harrison Ave. If you hit Beach Street, you’ve gone too far.
COOPEN (“Coopérative pour la Promotion et l’Exploitation de l’Environnment”) was formed in 2009 in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti as a business cooperative dedicated to helping its members and customers convert organic waste into energy and agricultural fertilizer. In addition to producing and installing biodigester systems (specially-designed reactors for converting organic waste into biogas), COOPEN also offers comprehensive training programs to ensure that end-users can get the most out of these systems. Founders Roger Jean-Pierre and Raphaël Bélizaire, winners of AIDG’s inaugural business plan competition Konkou Biznis Ayiti, see COOPEN as a model in Haiti for socio-economic development that also engages citizens in the protection of the environment. Their objective is to reduce waste, decrease domestic dependence on charcoal, and provide a cost-effective alternative to propane gas, while at the same time promoting a profitable cooperative model where members share in the benefits.
Clinton talk, push SME development, need to build out airport in Cap, need to build roads, Haiti turning corner, IS more stable 3:16 PM Oct 1st
One group in small solar systems saw seven fold slaes increase from 100K USD to 700K USD this past year. 2:25 PM Oct 1st
In group deal meetings on the energy sector. Saw several applicants that were matches for E+Co. Including one from our konkou in biodiesel 2:23 PM Oct 1st
It is essential that Haiti`s political class works in spirit of cooperation to smooth over bueracratic processes and form favorable climate 7:51 AM Oct 1st
Canada believes development of SME should be foundation of economic growth. Launched Haiti markets program.7:48 AM Oct 1st
Amb. Canada: Haiti second largest investment partner for CA, after afghanastan. 555 mil CAD invested. At forefront of debt reduction. 7:47 AM Oct 1st
IDB value added TAS (technical assistance) roughly 400K in Haiti. Future oncentrate on infrastructure, agirculture, managirial training SME 7:39 AM Oct 1st
IDB MIF (microentreprenuer investent fund) 6.8 million dollar portfolio in Haiti. 7:35 AM Oct 1st
Exports currently only 12% of GDP, has protections and favorable regimes with the US. IDB invests in road, electric, ag, watsan, tourism, ed 7:33 AM Oct 1st
Steven Puig, Q:why haiti why now? A: It is about Haiti`s growing possitive trajectory. 7:29 AM Oct 1st
The panel for the IDB needs a moderator. The monologues are going too long. 7:25 AM Oct 1st
strong new protections for international investors to encourage investment tax breaks, need to create conditions 4 productive investment 7:13 AM Oct 1st
Minister of commerce, we are ready to accept investment.7:04 AM Oct 1st
Haiti`s PM: Jobs and economic development are a priority of the Haitian Government, foreign investors must work with local entreprenuers 7:03 AM Oct 1st
Haiti`s PM opened strong: need to remove negative media image, move away from aid and into job creation, build roads, make investent 7:01 AM Oct 1st
At IDB international Business meeting in Haiti. Waiting for President Clinton, Prime Minister Pierre-Louis to speak. 6:09 AM Oct 1st
PCH on his way to Port-au-Prince today for a Haiti conference put on by the InterAmerican Development Bank 6:51 AM Sep 30th
At Clinton Global Initiative last month, we recieved an invitation to attend the Inter American Development Bank meeting on investment in Haiti. Here are a few clips from the event in Port au Prince. Overall the meeting held a high level of optimism for development both of job growth and infrastructure within Haiti. Let us hope, as UN special envoy Clinton says in the following clips, that we can move beyond just having discussions and into partnerships that hold tangible results for the Haitian people.
Bill Clinton honors AIDG along with Fonkoze, Partners in Health, BRAC, Jacob Fruitfield Food Group, Habitat for Humanity International, Green Family Foundation, Sunnight Solar, International Action, Micronutrient Initiative, and James Lee Witt Associates for outstanding work in Haiti.
In 2009, AIDG became a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. CGI, created by Former President Bill Clinton in 2005, is a non-partisan organization that brings together global leaders from the public and private sectors as well as civil society to discuss challenges facing the world today. But CGI is not all talk. There is a very strong focus on action. Members of the initiative are called on to devise and implement innovative solutions to these challenges. The initiative culminates in a yearly conference where each member must make a specific commitment with measurable results and success metrics that will address one or more of CGI’s focus areas for that year. CGI staff then monitors the progress and success of these commitments throughout the year.
2009 CGI Action Areas
Harnessing Innovation
Strengthening Infrastructure
Building Human Capital
Financing an Equitable Future
Here is AIDG’s commitment that was selected for presentation during the plenary:
Over the next 5 years AIDG will scale its business incubation services to create 25 new infrastructure development enterprises for underserved communities. These enterprises will aid a combined population of over 200,000 people, bringing water, sanitation, energy and other desperately needed services. From $1.25 million in initial investment, these entrepreneurs will generate $5 million per year in economic activity and will help bring basic services to struggling communities.
I'd like to invite you to AIDG's Annual Meeting occurring this Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 5-7PM!
Come find out what your help has allowed us to do in the first part of 2009. If you weren't able to make our holiday party in December, you don't want to miss this.
AIDG founder, Peter Haas, will give you a lively rundown of our programs in Haiti and Guatemala. On the Haiti front, we have the results from Konkou Biznis Ayiti, our very first business plan competition to commercialize biogas in Northern Haiti. From the 16 teams that entered, we have our winner. Find out how they plan to convert waste into a clean burning fuel and fertilizer this Sunday.
Our Guatemala program is currently undergoing a radical transformation. We are completely upgrading our R&D facility so that we can better design technologies that meet the needs of underserved communities. These changes will also allow us to collaborate with more university groups and businesses that share our mission.
The AIDG team in Guatemala is preparing for a 2nd business plan competition to take place this fall. The focus will be water, energy, and sanitation technologies.
So come join us on Sunday. Let us show you some of what we've been able to achieve with your dedicated support.
Keeping it Green,
Cat Laine
Details
Location: Weston Community Center, 20 Alphabet Lane, Weston, MA 02493 Date: Sunday, May 3rd Time: 5PM - 7PM
Light refreshments will be served.
Snapshots from the field
The 5 finalist teams for AIDG's biogas business plan competition, Konkou Biznis Ayiti. Over the course of one week, these teams went through an intensive series of training sessions to help them refine their business concept. We'll be announcing the contest winner at the end of the week.
SakisDecossard of Own Energy, Peter Haas and Catherine Laine of AIDG after all long day's training session with the contest's finalists. I want to give a special thanks to Sakis, who traveled down to Haiti from NYC to serve as one of our judges in the competition.
The new AIDG compound: 3 story office and training space. Not shown: intern housing, garden, storage and workshop space.
AIDG Guatemala and a visiting mechanical engineering team from Michigan State University. The university team was working on a novel idea for solar refrigeration. Their ultimate aim is to improve vaccine delivery in areas with poor access to electricity and modern refrigeration technologies.
Jeb Gutelius and AIDG Board Member Benny Lee on a site visit to La Fe in Guatemala. In 2007, XelaTeco repaired La Fe's 75 kW hydroelectric plant that serves the community and powers their agricultural machinery. The transmission lines to the right of the power house (seen above) were installed by XelaTeco this year as Phase II of the project. Phase III will be further improvement and expansion of the minigrid to homes of the community's 100 families.
