RedBioLAC (short for Red de Biodigestores para Latino América y el Caribe) is 11 years old since its creation and represents a large group of professionals working in different fields on biodigestors in the region. It has been consolidated at the regional level, and has become a space for virtual exchange as a very relevant form of presentation for biodigester technology.

As a framework for the work that the network promotes, an annual face-to-face meeting is held in different locations. The spirit of the conference is to exchange knowledge in the broad sense of the word (from the vision of the users, of those who install the digesters, of those who research and develop, and of forms of financing, and implementation, etc.), to connect participants from various sectors related to biodigester technology and to be able to show some examples of research and implementation throughout the region, as well as sharing lessons learned.

Find more information about the conference and registration here!

Spanish Version: 

La Red de Biodigestores para Latino América y el Caribe (RedBioLAC) tiene 11 años desde su creación y representa a un gran grupo de profesionales trabajando en diversas escalas de biodigestores en la región, desde diversos puntos de trabajo. Se ha consolidado a nivel regional, y se ha convertido en un espacio de intercambio virtual como presencial muy relevante.

Como marco del trabajo que la Red promueve, se realizar anualmente un Encuentro presencial en diferentes locales. El espíritu del Encuentro es el de realizar el intercambio de conocimientos en el amplio sentido de la palabra (desde la visión de los usuarios, de quienes instalan los digestores, de quienes investigan y desarrollan, y de formas de financiamiento, e implementación, etc), de conectar a los participantes de diversos sectores relacionados a la tecnología y el de poder mostrar algunos ejemplos de investigación e implementación a través de la región, compartiendo lecciones aprendidas.

Encuentre más información sobre la conferencia y la inscripción aquí!

Highlights in this edition: 

• 11th RedBioLAC Annual Conference in Cuba and accompanying online course on Biodigester technology by CIBiogás and RedBioLAC
• Open Source Technology for Hydropower Electronic Load Controllers, making the technology more efficient for rural communities and optimizing the energy supply. 
• Making Biodigesters fit for service in rural communities in Southeast Asia
• Recordings of HPNET webinars and Deep Dive Workshop at ACEF 2019 in Manila
• Promotion of renewable energy opportunities in rural Argentina by a local NGO supported by WISIONS

Speakers: 

Risha Piya: Program Specialist at Winrock International Nepal

Ayu Abdullah: Co-Founder and Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Energy Action Partners

Iskander Kuntoadji: Founder of IBEKA, the People Centered Business and Economic Institute Indonesia

Context: 

Collective research and hindsight within the Hydro Empowerment Network  reveal that the long-term sustainability and impact of hydro mini-grids is dependent on how well the project is run as a viable and inclusive enterprise. This webinar featured mini-grids practitioners in South and Southeast Asia who are leading the transition from grant-dependent to enterprise-based micro and mini hydropower projects. The webinar was in particular highlighting the following points: 

• The linkage between enterprise-based approaches and long-lived hydro mini-grids; 
• Best practices to transition from grant dependent to local social enterprise models, based on micro hydro experience in Nepal, Malaysia and Indonesia; 
• Solutions to scale their efforts to more micro hydro communities, including how to make better use of funding resources that currently go toward grant-dependent projects.