Tany Meva Foundation, Eco Energy (e2) and Project Gaia to Convene Micro Distillery Workshop in Antananarivo November 12 to 14, 2012

Tany Meva Foundation, in partnership with the World Bank, Project GAIA, Inc., EcoEnergy Business Group (e2), and Green Development AS will convene a three-day workshop in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on small or micro scale ethanol production for fuel use.  The workshop builds on the results of the 2011 World Bank-published study, Ethanol as a household Fuel in Madagascar – Health Benefits, Economic Assessment and Review of African Lessons for Scaling Up. The study was commissioned by the Government of Madagascar and conducted by a team led by Practical Action Consulting that included University of Liverpool, Berkeley Air Monitoring Group, Eco Consulting Group, Tany Meva and Project Gaia, Inc.

Project Details: The 3-day workshop will engage multiple stakeholders in capacity building and knowledge transfer to help encourage small-scale production of ethanol for local markets, especially for cooking.  “Farm-scale” production fits the local context, whether single operations or cooperatives, and might be sized to produce anywhere from 100 to 5,000 liters per day of ethanol. Project Gaia will provide the micro-economic analysis and business case for small scale fuel ethanol and stoves. Ecoenergy (e2) will provide technical training for building and operating a small fuel distillery.  Ecoenergy will also discuss the production of bioethanol from crop residues, wastes, by-products and other feedstocks.  Green Development will discuss the opportunity for carbon finance.

Workshop Presenters: Tany Meva is a Malagasy funding and nonprofit organization working to promote sustainable management of community resources, including the promotion of renewable energy kits for cooking and lighting.  EcoEnergy Business Group (e2) is a Colombian company that has pioneered the use of farm-scale distilleries in Central America and teaches about small scale distillation.  Green Development AS is a carbon finance expert specializing in clean renewable fuels.  Project Gaia, Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of alcohol fuels for cooking and other appliance use.  The World Bank has provided funding assistance for the workshop.

Registration, Location & Contact: The workshop will be held at the Madagascar Development Learning Center (DLC) in Ampefiloha, Antananarivo on November 12-14, 2012. Registration fees are $50 (USD) for Malagasy private sector participants and $100 for international participants.  Participant fees cover handout materials and meals during the workshop.  Attendees are required to make their own arrangements for accommodation.

The deadline for registration is Monday, the 5th of November, 2012.  To register, please contact Ravaka Ranaivoson at Tany Meva at r.ranaivoson@tanymeva.org.mg or call +261 20 22 403 99 or +261 34 07 083 76.

For additional information, please contact Project Gaia at info@projectgaia.com or Gulce Askin, gulce.askin@projectgaia.com, or call +1 (717) 334-5594.

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