HOME   |   ABOUT US   |   FAQ & LINKS   |   CONTACT US

DONATE A STOVE   |   GETTING STARTED

Start a project

There are many non-profit organizations currently working on household energy. For some, alcohol stoves may seem an ideal option, whilst for others, they may be one of a range of options. How to decide whether this technology is right for your organization?

Project location
It is possible to import stoves and fuel anywhere in the world—but realistically, alcohol stoves work best where ethanol or methanol can be made cheaply and efficiently. In practice, this means that they are best introduced where sugar or starch-based crops are widely grown. For countries rich in oil (such as Nigeria), Gaia is working to source methanol from wasted flare gases.

Firehiwot conducts an interview in Bonga refugee camp to determine what people want from their cooking stove and fuel. Community engagement is key in creating projects with lasting results. You can contribute to meaningful projects.

Manufacturing capacity
If a country in which you work has a strong manufacturing base, this is a bonus, as stoves may be manufactured in that country. If alcohol fuels are already being made, the potential for them to be sold at a reasonable price to the household energy market should be explored with distilleries during baseline studies.

Government support
This is really valuable—stoves or components may need to be imported, governments can help by supporting fuel being used for household energy rather than into fuel blending. Local government may help with policy and social marketing on the health and socio-economic benefits of alcohol-fueled cooking.

Project communities
If all the fuel that local communities use is gathered for free, it is much more difficult to introduce a stove than in places where fuel is scarce and the need is great. It is vital to create or utilize efficient fuel distribution networks.

Long-term commitment
Alcohol stoves are unique in that both stove and fuel need to be introduced affordably at the same time, so that there is a market for fuel and stoves. This can be done by developing a household fuel supply and importing stoves in the first instance, (although the stoves are likely to be more expensive manufactured overseas). It may take some years to establish both stove and fuel in a fully commercial market. Commercial partners need to be engaged early in the process if the project is to move seamlessly into a sustainable and long-term commercial venture.