Renewable Energy Curriculum Design for Schools Potato Cooking as Science Education For Primary and Secondary Schools
Sjoerd Nienhuys Senior Renewable Energy Advisor, SNV-Nepal May 2004, Kathmandu

Renewable Energy Curriculum

ABSTRACT
A training module providing an example of a school curriculum in the area of energy conservation in households by comparing three different cooking methods for potatoes. The exercise can be undertaken in the classroom or as homework. By undertaking the exercise at home, the families of the students will also be involved and obtain direct practical knowledge. Lower cooking energy needs in rural areas has an important positive gender impact. Through participatory and real case demonstration, primary schoolchildren learn about the different amounts of energy used for different cooking methods. Secondary school students can use the same analysis, but more precise calculations and better understanding of kitchen energy can be developed. The methodology can be replicated for other types of cooking, such as for rice, beans and traditional dishes.

See attached report.

Cooking Stove Improvements: Design for Remote High Altitude Areas Dolpa Region Nepal, Sjoerd Nienhuys April 2005

ABSTRACT
Metal and mud cooking stoves are analysed in Dolpa, a remote high altitude district in Nepal (over 2000m) where poor firewood efficiency of cooking stoves has been observed whilst the area is already largely deforested. Current metal or mud stoves have the air-intake above the firewood, lowering gas temperatures and causing incomplete combustion. More than 20 improvement options are presented in a table. These lead to higher burning temperatures, reduced firewood consumption and lesser soot development. Modifications have been made to lower manufacturing costs. The paper briefly explains the principles of the improvements and provides detailed sketches of the solutions. Improved cooking efficiency requires chopping of the firewood into
small pieces, but the additional time spent is balanced against the considerably less time spent in the collection of firewood. The prototype stove has been field-tested and modified several times to produce a model that is easy to manufacture and is acceptable to the villagers.

Information is based on the author’s personal experience and technical information from the stoves discussion group at www.stoves.bioenergylists.org