Solar tech to power African villages faces Kenyan test

http://www.itwebafrica.com/ict-and-governance/256-kenya/232044-solar-tech-to-power-african-villages-faces-kenyan-test

Published on 25 November 2013

By Gareth van Zyl

Single modular solar technology for producing both electricity and drinking water for micro-industries and villages of up to 1,000 people is to be trialled in Kenya in 2014 ahead of a 2015 commercial launch.

A consortium led by global energy management firm Schneider Electric has chosen the East African nation to test the technology dubbed ‘Microsol’.

Schneider Electric says a single Microsol installation, which has an expected lifespan of 20 years, produces 50 MWh of electricity, 1,000 m3 of drinking water, and around 800 MWh of thermal energy per year.

Micro-producers in the food, textile and paper industries are planned to be targeted with the offering. But Microsol could even help the tourist industry and up to 1,000 residents in remote rural villages, says Schneider Electric.

"That technology can help Africa's poorest countries", said Pradeep Monga, director of the energy and climate change branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), while attending the inauguration of Microsol in France.

Gilles Vermot Desroches, senior vice-president, sustainability, Schneider Electric, said: “All countries with high levels of sunshine are potential targets for marketing Microsol. However, because of its infrastructure needs, geographical location and economic models, Schneider Electric and its partners decided to focus their efforts on Africa".

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FEMA seeks applicants for Technical Mapping Advisory Council

FEMA seeks applicants for Technical Mapping Advisory Council 

FEMA is requesting applications from qualified individuals who are interested in appointment to the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC). The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 established the TMAC to make recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on how to improve the accuracy, general quality, ease of use, and distribution and dissemination of flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and risk data; and to improve performance metrics and milestones required to effectively and efficiently map flood risk areas in the United States. Qualified applicants will be considered to represent one or more of the following membership categories: professional surveying association or organization; professional mapping association or organization; engineering association or organization; professional association or organization representing flood hazard determination firms; United States Geological Survey; professional association or organization representing state geographic information; state national flood insurance coordination offices; United States Army Corps of Engineers; regional flood and storm water management organization; state, tribal, and territorial government; agencies; local government agencies; floodplain management association or organization; risk management association or organization; and state mitigation officer. 

Individuals interested in serving on the TMAC are invited to apply for appointment by submitting a resume or curriculum vitae to FEMA, 

Federal Insurance Mitigation Administration, Risk Analysis Division by email, or by mail at 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 20598–3035.