Energy from renewable sources for rural communities of the state of Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil

Conference · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)

OSTI ID:6621265

Bristotti, A; Sadhu, D

Rural communities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul developed on the basis of various ethenic origin, and distinctly took root in the regions of different topography. On the south and the west nearly half of the state is mainly flat land, where the inhabitants are racially heterogenous and live pricipally in small towns with large farm lands around. The rest of the state consists of high lands that gradually rise from the northwest to maximum 1200m altitude at the northeast. In the foothills, industrial base was developed by the German settelers, whereas the Italian immigrants settled on the hills. The hilly region is composed of small rural properties with area varying from 10 to 50 hectares. They are scattered all over the region, which make it economically unfeasable to distribute electricity from the main grid, due to high investment cost unlikely to be paid off by the energy consumption rate of the rural properietors. It could be verified from the fact that till to-date the local federation of the cooperatives of rural electrification achieved to supply electricity to only 15% of the total area and its future expansion is getting limited. This paper describes a pilot project initiated in the county 'Tres Coroa' of this region, that is being developed under the guidance of the energy group of the Federal University of RGS, coordinated with balanced technical, agronomical, economical and ecilogical activities to meet its energy demand, that could be supplied with the locally available resources. It is aimed in this project to provide the rural habitants adequate energy for a decent living i.e., electricity for lights, TV and small domestic appliances, thermal energy for hot water supply and fuel to run the agricultural machineries. In future, other nearby counties could follow this experiment with proper and adequate modifications to suite the need and the type of resources available there.

• Research Organization: Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, RS - 90.000
• OSTI ID: 6621265
• Report Number(s): CONF-831205-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
299000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation
AGRICULTURE
BRAZIL
DEMAND
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
INDUSTRY
LATIN AMERICA
MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
QUALITY OF LIFE
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RURAL AREAS
SOUTH AMERICA