Identification of Productive Uses of Small Power Wind Energy in Rural Communities in Patagonia Argentina. Analysis of Value in Horticulture and Egg Production in Small Family Economies.

CATUOGNO, GUILLERMO; GUILLERMO PLEITAVINO; EDUARDO MISERENDINO; ESTEBAN VAN DAME

New York

Congreso; ICSD 2020; 2020

ICSD

Our work relates the diagnosis, execution and results of the action-research work on productive uses and an efficient pumping system with low-power wind energy, implemented by the team of the 500RPM Foundation and the LCA-UNSL of Argentina, and financed by IEEE-HAC 2018 and Wisions -Seps Wuppertal Institute-. It consisted of conducting 41 in-depth interviews (rural producers-referents of the thematic area-community referents), and the development and testing of an electronic system that enables the operation of a diaphragm pump with a 350W wind turbine (Piggott open patent technology). The study was aimed at identifying economic activities in the rural world that can be powered by low-power wind energy; and, on the other, to analyze the impact on the profitability of production systems. The structure of the work will be as follows: a) development of the open source wind pumping system; b) productive uses of wind energy; c) final reflections and starting points.In the first moment of the work we will tell the details of the learning process, the lessons learned and the results of the electronic system. In Argentine Patagonia, the need to pump water for human consumption and productive uses is widespread. The situation of access to water has been complicated in the last 10 years where a decrease of 40% in availability is observed compared to previous years. This creates a need to pump water from greater distances and depths. Currently extended diesel pumping systems are inefficient in an area where the wind resource is among the best in the world. For these reasons, aimed at generating an innovative technological solution to a social problem, a team dedicated itself to designing a pumping system with wind energy. A 350W Piggott wind turbine (open patent technology) was used, and a diaphragm pump (the pump most used by small producers was chosen). An efficient open source electronic system was developed that allows the operation of the system without deep charge batteries (difficult to access for producers in developing countries).In a second moment, we focus on the interaction between technology and the community, understanding that all technology is a socio-technical system, which depends on social, economic and cultural dimensions to be efficient and effective in solving the problem. We interviewed producers from different economic activities (potential users of the system), technical leaders (specialists in rural economies and water management), and local leaders (community leaders, heads of producer associations and cooperatives). We identified 4 predominant economic activities in the rural world of Argentina (replicable to rural contexts in other developing countries): a) production of sheep-goats (and derivatives - leather and dairy-); b) horticultural production; c) sheep production; d) rural tourism services. Then we advance in the study of how low-power wind energy can enhance these activities through different uses and technological complements.Finally, from the articulation between technical knowledge and the socio-economic and cultural knowledge obtained, we obtained different lessons that aim to contribute to the strengthening of small rural economies in developing countries around the world. One of the lessons is that the use of wind energy in production processes is recommended in areas with abundant wind and without easy access to other generation systems. Regarding the development of the wind pumping system, we understood that it is essential to complement it with other productive and domestic uses. In a socio-technical sense, we understood that the application of the technological system (horticultural pumping system, water collection system, irrigation system, lighting system for egg producers, etc.), makes sense if we consider equally socio-cultural aspects (efficient management of water and production, choice of products with higher added value.)