JEF - Energy Facility (CLOSED)

The project has two levels of intervention: i) At village level through the Biomass Energy production from Jatropha curcas (Jatropha Energy Production); ii) At well level through the Water Solar pumps installation (Solar Energy Production). In each country approximately 300 ha of plantation of Jatropha curcas, arid-resistant species, will be realized in order to produce oil for energy purposes In 9 isolated rural villages villages (5 in Burkina Faso and 4 in Ghana) independent rural power producers (Gensets) will be supplied as an instrument to promote sustainability and socially equitable development of rural power sector. The Energy provision at rural village level will be guarantee by the Jatropha crude oil produced directly by the rural inhabitants and the creation of 9 Village Power Points (VPP). The VPP is a structure equipped by a generator powered by Jatropha oil, which is connected to a simple grid that will provide energy at village level for: i) a Central Village Light in order to satisfy the village recreation and socializing needs; ii) a Threshing Machine for removing the millet husks from grain; iii) a Flour-mill to reduce the drudgery associated with the milling process; iv) a Machine Service Centre devoted to the maintenance and repair of all the machinery. Furthermore to produce oil from Jatropha curcas 2 Production & Services Units ( P&SU) (one for each country) will be realized for different purposes: to collect and process the Jatropha fruits and seeds in a strategic and unique site, to extract the oil from Jatropha seeds, to store the crude oil produced, to press the Jatropha husk (by-product) for further energy production. Each PSU is equipped with: i) a Decorticator to process Jatropha fruits into seeds and husks; ii) an Oil Expeller for the oil extraction; iii) a Briquetting Machine to process the Jatropha husks into briquette for direct combustion; iv) a Genset fed with Jatropha oil to give power to all the facilities devoted to the processing and transformation of Jatropha fruits and seeds. Moreover, in each country the existing wells will be re-established in order to install Water Solar Pumps equipped with tanks for water collection

Title and acronym: Provision of modern, affordable and sustainable energy services to rural poor communities in West African countries from Jatropha curcas oil: an integrated approach based on technological transfer and capacity building improvement – JEF

Dates: from 1/12/2011 until 30/11/2016

Location: Ghana, Burkina Faso

Source of Funding: EU-ACP Energy Facility II Programme

Role of NRD: Partner

Scientific responsible: Prof. G. Enne

NRD members and staff involved: Dr. Laura Chessa, Dr. Roberta Lixia, Prof. Luciano Gutierrez, Dr. Roberta Lobina