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The activity has helped to build the resilience of communities in Jamaica by using a reverse
osmosis technology, which provides approximately 1000 gallons of potable water daily for
students and staff. This includes a rainwater harvesting system that includes catchment and
storage.
The system is powered by small integrated wind/solar energy facility that will provide the
required electricity needed to purify the water. Simple slow speed wind generators that
produce 1 to 2 KW of power will be used to run the reverse-osmosis (RO) system that will be
used to convert sea water to fresh water. The wind generator uses locally obtained materials,
some of which are recycled.
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The system is designed to produce fresh water from normally unused sources of water for
potable supply to 1000 people daily. Rainwater, brackish water and sea water is treated and
purified onsite to minimize distribution losses and increase the efficiency of the water
resource system.
Education activities to promote the use of renewable energy are a distinct part of the
activity. It helps to build the capacities of the community and particularly engineering
students who are trained as they work on the manufacturing of components and measure wind
velocity and direction for sighting of the unit. The system is intended to be scalable for
easy replication in other schools, households and communities.
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The activity aims to initiate a system for the replication of this low-cost technology, by
building capacity and empowering communities in the manufacture, sales and maintenance of the
unit. The activity has influenced policy in that the technology has been incorporated into
national energy policy.
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