S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation Newsletter1999

Solar Technology and Energy for Vital Economic Needs11/99

soon to be

Sustainable Technology & Energy for Vital Economic Needs

S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation414 Triphammer RdIthaca, NY 14850, USA

Greetings and welcome for our annual report on the work of the S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation, Ithaca, New York, USA.Several changes of organization and direction are taking place within the foundation.We want to inform you about them and about our year's work. 

ORGANISATIONAL MATTERS OF THE FOUNDATION

- Change of name (same acronym):Since we found ourselves interested in working in areas of technology beyond strictly solar, we have decided by common consensus to change our name, substituting for SOLAR the term SUSTAINABLE.Thus, the new title of the foundation will be: Sustainable Technology and Energy for Vital Economic Needs.But we're still S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation all the same.Our new direction was indicated already in the '98 newsletter, concerning human-powered energy and the Vanek Superbike.Read more on the bicycle below.

- Change of Board Members: Hon. Marc White, who has served since its inception on the board as pro bonolegal counsel and advisor, has beenappointed Administrative Law Judge, based in New York City.As such he cannot exercise any other legal functions, and therefore had to resign from our board.We would like to express to him our warmest and deepest gratitude for all his past work.We are currentlylooking for someone to take Marc's position.

We would like to bring in other new blood to extend the life of the foundation. This is not an easy task, as all our work has been unremunerated to this day, and as it is necessary to secure help both in the technical work of the foundation and on its board of administration.

The logical solution is to ask assistance of two of our sons, Francis and Steven, who have worked for the foundation in the past and who have consented to do so.While they can both work in all areas, their predilections will probably lead them predominantly in the areas of solar, agriculture, and housing for Steven; and the more technical engineering and computer applications for Francis, together with issues of environmental policy, the field of his post-doctoral research.

The new non-solar areas of our work are primarily: our Superbike using human energy not only of the bikers' legs but also their arms; some early efforts in the areas of Stirling Engine, both solar and nonsolar; many diverse aspects of growing of trees and vegetables, especially in difficult mountain areas.Please read on!

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WHAT SUSTAINABILITY MEANS FORS.T.E.V.E.N.FOUNDATION

- Francis Vanek

A few words are in order about the reason for changing the "S" in S.T.E.V.E.N. from Solar to Sustainable.It is, first of all, a recognition that since its beginnings, the foundation has often strayed beyond the domain of solar energy to other types of appropriate technology: wind, hand power, hydraulics, and the like.It is also a reflection of changing times, and the growing importance of sustainability as the overarching goal that covers both the ecological and development interests to which we aspire. 

Just when the concept of sustainability became a buzzword isn't exactly clear.People often point to one of two documents: a report from the World Council on Environment and Development entitled 'Our Common Future' from 1987, or the report of the Bruntland Commission of the United Nations from 1988.In any case, the incorporation of S.T.E.V.E.N. as a non-profit in 1986 predates either of these.Much has changed since then, including the focus of the Foundation.Over the years, we have become interested in the links between energy and natural resource policy in the developing and industrialized worlds, and in the promotion not only of appropriate technologies but also of progressive policies which support them.

So what do we mean by "sustainable" or "sustainable technology and energy," anyway?Our emphasis is on environmental and social sustainability.For poor people in developing countries, this means promoting appropriate technologies which do not lead to dependency on the industrialized countries, either for financial know-how or technical expertise.For rich people in industrialised countries, this means promoting less energy-intensive technologies, in part to give room for the LDC's to develop.We will also pursue a balance of technology design or dissemination and policy promotion; an example of the latter regarding the case of development in the lowest-income countries can be found in our website (http://www.virtualithaca.com/bobp/steven/elements. html).

Rest assured that we are not giving up on solar energy.We still see plenty of potential for the S.T.E.V.E.N. solar technologies, in both the developing countries and in the industrialized countries.The progress made in the design of the S.T.E.V.E.N. solar oven over the years has been especially encouraging, as it has achieved a higher maximum temperature and become easier to use.Solar steam also remains an area of great potential, especially for the developing countries.Many organizations have promoted photovoltaics for these applications, but we maintain that other solar options should be developed, which allow the end user to be more self-reliant. 

In short, we foresee plenty of work for the Sustainable S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation. 

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REFLECTIONSONTHESUPERBIKE

- Jaroslav Vanek

Our 1998 newsletter spoke of the expansion of our interests into human power, in the form of the all-wheel drive "Vanek Superbike" bicycle.Most appropriate at the time whenthe scope of the Foundation enlarges from Solar to Sustainable, the superbike belongs to the category of sustainable technology for energy production and utilisation. This can be understood in many different respects.

1. First of all, the superbike contributes to the creation of energy by adding to the power of one's legs also the strength of one's arms in a direct manner.But there are several indirect contributions of the technology as well, both individual and social.

2. There is the definite health effect on the rider, experienced and verified by the author of these paragraphs.As a diabetic, I experience a strong, and increased as compared to regular biking, positive effect on the level of my blood sugar.Joined with this is the strengthening of the muscles of the upper body in addition to the usual effect on the leg muscles of the cyclist. This establishes a better balance between the development of the upper and lower parts of the body, and avoids the kangaroo-type body pattern, with legs much more developed than arms, that may occurespecially among competitive cyclists.

3. Because of the greater versatility of movements of one's arms, the superbike permits of a wide variety of exercising motion while biking: one can push, pull, push and pull simultaneously, lift, push-down etc. One can do this with one arm only, or with both arms at the same time.

4. The esthetic value of the superbike provides a perfectly balanced exercise -- not in a gym on a stationary device -- but riding in and contemplating beautiful countryside, going where one wants to, using the all-wheel drive on steep hills, and so forth.

5. There is also the symbolic value.Riding an ordinary bicycle may becompared to the nature of capitalist labor relations: one bows to those above, and steps on those below.The superbike on the other hand symbolises a democratic cooperative labor arrangement, where those who work manually -- typically the workers -- also steer or direct the activity.

6. In the real and nonsymbolic context, we in the Foundation hope that the production of the superbike could one day assume a cooperative and selfmanaging format. In fact we know of several enterprises in the bicycle industry, whether production or sales, that are democratic worker cooperatives.

7. Sustainability through the superbike can also be seen in the possibility for some partly handicapped individuals in otherwise good physical conditions, to use the bicycle relying more or exclusively on one's arms for propulsion.

8. However, in spite of these undeniable advantages, we have found that to make the general public interested and use the superbike is by no means a simple matter.We discuss some of the relevant points below.

9. We have presented a prototype of our bike to the US Consumer Product Safety Agencyin Washington DC. Their extensive report is available from the Foundation.While on the whole appreciative, the Agency raises some valid points of safety -- primarily that under stress in a crisis situation a biker used to regular biking might inadvertantly make an erroneous braking motion which might lead to injury.The fact that the manual pedals of the superbike are also brakes using a coaster brake arrangement might mitigate this objection, but of course cannot fully remove it.

10. In general, for this and most other concerns the reply is the need for careful preparation and training of the rider. The skill of superbiking is not difficult, but it is a skill calling for several miles of experience-riding. And this is facilitated by the fact that the superbike can be used entirely as a regular bicycle, with regular handlebars, with the only difference that the hand-pedals can serve exclusively as brakes, moving with one or the other arm/pedal in thebackward direction.

11. With all these considerations in mind we feel that the best initial attempt of commercialisation would be through S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation acting as a not-for-profit incubator of a cooperative enterprise, producing and marketing kits which would permit interested users to transform their own new or used bike into a Superbike. The kit will be accompanied with careful instruction on how to learn the superbiking skill.We now have some fifty specialised bike-stems which are the centerpiece of such a kit. If anyone is interested the foundation can be contacted in this connection. The kits we could handle, at least initially, would fit a standard 22mm o.d. stem andfork (with the customary wedge-like fixation). 

12. We have produced several prototypes of the superbike, in the Czech Republic, in Scotland and in the United States.We have patent pending in the Czech Republic and provisional patent applications in the U.S.Francis Vanek, cooperating with a bicycle coop, is testing various simplified designs in Edinburgh.Our first series of superbike stems was produced, with the possibility of permanent further cooperation,in the Czech Republic.

13.For further information and a photo of the Superbike, see our website at:

www.people.cornell.edupages/jv19/superbike

The same information may be obtained from S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation by mail.

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STATIONERY BICYCLE GENERATOR OF ELECTRICITY

- J. Vanek

Our work with electricity generation and the Superbike led us to produce an electric generator using an obsolete exercycle. Simply we have substituted for the usual roller generating braking power a friction-propelled roller attached to a small dynamo. This device can be used to charge a twelve-volt battery.In practice this technology is most suitable -- besides for physical exercise -- as a backup for generating power in off-the-grid locations relying primarily on photovoltaic or wind power sources.

WORK WITH THE STIRLING ENGINE

- J. Vanek

In spring of '99 we reestablished contact with Professor William Beale of Athens Ohio and witnesed the performance of his BIOWATT engine, produced by Sunpower Inc., a company which he started.Using limited amounts of wood fuel combusted externally, it produces directly one KW of electricity.As such it would be most useful for all regions where electric power does not exist in the grid or even where it does, where heat at high temperature isat very low or zero cost.For example, with solar energy which can be concentrated through a parabolic dish to high temperatures.

The engine would also be useful for home cogeneration (for cooking, heating, hot water and electricity -- forhome use or sold to the grid) by households or small consumer groups, using local abundant wood or other inexpensive fuel, especial solar energy.In the Czech Republic where firewood is plentiful, Francis Vanek made several contacts and demonstrations. We have also established a working relation with technical and academic workers in Moravska Ostrava, Czech Republic, and we are exploring the possibility of production of the Biowatt engine for Sunpower in Ohio, using lower labor costs in the Czech Republic.For more detail on the Biowatt engine, contact Sunpower, Inc.,P. O. Box 2625,Athens OH 45701.

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We remain eager to share our knowledge of solar and other simple technologies.Please 

use the tear-off sheet at the end of this newsletter to order:

- S.T.E.V.E.N. Technologies prospectus- manuals or information on specific

- videostechnologies

. . . . .or to support S.T.E.V.E.N Foundation with your tax-free contribution!

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Following are reports on our overseas activities in 1998 - 99:

QUESIMPUCO NEWS: TOMATOES AND MEDICINES IN THE HIGH ANDES

- Brent Welch and Teresa Vanek

From June to October of 1998, we lived in Quesimpuco, a remote village in the Bolivian Andes.We worked under the umbrella of CENATEC, a small Bolivian NGO to realize two projects; the building of a community cold-frame and the design and installation of a native medicinal plant garden.These projects were largely funded by donations made through the S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation.*

Originally, we planned to build a full-scale greenhouse in Quesimpuco to increase variety and nutrition in a deficient diet.Brent came across a plan for a cold frame (a long, low mini-greenhouse which could be tended from the top) and proposed that a large greenhouse was not really practical or necessary.A cold-frame would serve the same purpose, and the design and construction are much simpler and cheaper, two elements we were looking for so that the project could be imitated by families in Quesimpuco and surrounding villages.Already, people from other villages have visited Quesimpuco, and after seeing the cold-frame, sketched plans in order to build one in their community.

The cold-frame was finished in November with the help of Fabian, a local villager, and boarding school kids.It is built of adobe bricks that were left over from a recently constructed hospital.The dimensions are 6 ft. x 18 ft. by about 3.5 ft. high in the back and 2.5 ft. in the front.It is covered by a heavy duty plastic sheet.

Immediately after finishing, we planted some 30 tomato plants, but unfortunately we had to leave before harvesting anything.Steven Vanek visited Quesimpuco in December, found the tomato plants thriving and brought us some photos.This is exciting news as the local people had had little success growing tomatoes in Quesimpuco, and the general belief around the village was that it is very difficult if not impossible to grow them there.There are a number of possible explanations for this difficulty.Although there is ample sun and sufficient irrigation for tomato growing, the extreme aridity and lack of oxygen due to the high altitude (about 12,000 ft.) limit the ability of some plants to grow.The improved soil conditions (we used a mixture of sheep dung, soil and sand), elevated humidity and reservoir of oxygen trapped beneath the plastic cover of the cold-frame seem to have overcome these obstacles to tomato growing in the village.The cold-frame will be used to grow more tomatoes and other altitude-sensitive, vitamin-rich crops that will add much needed nutrition to the villagers' diets.

The other major project we worked on during our stay in Quesimpuco was the design and planting of a medicinal plants garden.Initially, we spent some time with the local people and botany books in order to get familiar with the plants of the area and how they are used medicinally.We found that nearly all people had a broad knowledge of the plant life around the village and knew at least a few medicinal uses.We often asked if there were any knowledgeable herbalists, known as yatiris or curanderos, that we could talk to.We were told that there were no longer any healers in the area, which we found discouraging.On further reflection, we wondered if their response was completely truthful.Maybe people were being truthful, and perhaps specialized healing knowledge was disappearing from the area.Another possibility is that the villagers didn't want us to know that they believed in or resorted to the consultation of a yatiri.CENATEC is an evangelical Christian organization and many of the people of Quesimpuco assumed that we were evangelical missionaries, which we are not.They have encountered evangelicals who strongly disapprove of any non-Christian spirituality.This may explain why the villagers would not tell us about yatiris or curanderos whose practices involve elements of paganism and worship of Pachamama (Earthmother).

We were, however, successful in planting a medicinal plants garden.We decided that the best location would be right next to the newly built hospital, just outside the village.Locating the garden there would enable the nurses (and hopefully in the future, doctors) to prescribe herbs to their patients when appropriate.Also, this is more or less communal land, which will sidestep some of the problems of locating a garden on private property.

There are numerous reasons why we are interested in promoting traditional medicine.One issue concerns cost.Why should these materially poor people pay for medicine if they can be treated with plants that grow around the village and in the garden at little or no cost?Secondly, using traditional medicine is a way of continuing and strengthening their culture, which is very important considering the pace of global cultural homogenization.And thirdly, we found that handing out antibiotics and other modern medicines to illiterate and often elderly people may be extremely dangerous.With good intentions, medical teams from the United States have made several trips to Quesimpuco to treat the villagers and others from surrounding villages.Some of their work was very beneficial, such as dental extractions.However, the medical team repeatedly handed out powerful medicine to people with little or no understanding of how, when, or why to take the medicines.Some of the patients believe that modern medicine consists of small colorful pills that will cure any ailment.They will save antibiotics prescribed to them and give them out to their cildren as vitamins or for headaches or whatever the ailment may be.Obviously this is very dangerous.While it is certainly also possible to dangerously misuse plant medicines, often the preparations, consisting largely of salves and teas, are milder and better understood by the local people.For many ailments these treatments are more appropriate than pills, having originated in the very environment in which they are used.

We may be contacted by e-mail at:

brentwelch@hotmail.comtmvanek@hotmail.com

* Many thanks to the following for their generous support: Ellie and Peter Kuniholm, Joe and Sue Vanek, Rosie Vanek, Wilda and Jaroslav Vanek, Scott and JoAnne Varley, Jill and Ross Welch, Jack Young and Susan Barnett.

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FROMSOLAROVENSTOAFFORESTATIONINPOTOSI

- Steven Vanek

After almost two years working in the highlands of Bolivia, I returned to the U.S. to study agriculture at Cornell University.Bolivia was an "immersion course" in the issues of rural development, the challenges faced by hundreds of communities in the rugged highlands of Bolivia that are described in more detail elsewhere in this newsletter.Now I hope to gain more education in agriculture, tools that when used critically will help me to be a resource for rural communities in the future. 

When I first went to Bolivia with the NGO CENATEC, I had the idea of integrating the solar ovens that I had developed with the S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation with a forestation project that would help to address the serious erosion and land degradation in the north of Potosi, the region where I worked.I was very busy with the many demands of the projects I was involved in -- potable water, health education, and could not concentrate exclusively on the solar-forestation connection. 

However, I was able to teach the ovens frequently at workshops, and realized that the oven was in many ways suited to the Highlands of Bolivia.This compatibility results from:a large part of the year with cloudless, intensely sunny days; a variety of foods like baked potatoes, toasted grains, and soups that could be made in the solar oven; community "promotors" who were interested in the technology; and a network of community nurses and regional doctor who were supportive of the solar oven.

When I left Bolivia, I wanted to leave the solar oven/forestation work ongoing.I found that my friends at CEMI, a newly formed mission/community development organization, wanted to continue teaching the solar oven and also start a small tree nursery, with technical support from other organizations that assist community-based groups with forestry.I received a proposal from CEMI and have raised $550 of the $1100 needed to support this project.I am also preparing a final version of a manual in Spanish, to accompany their project and others that would like to use it, for building the oven that I developed with local materials in the department of Potosi.I am eager to see the report on the project to date, and hope to remain in touch with this ongoing aspect of the work that came out of the S.T.E.V.E.N. technology efforts in highland Bolivia.

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WE'DLIKETOHEARFROMYOU!{Just tear off and return)

Please send me:___ 1997 "S.T.E.V.E.N. Technologies" prospectus

___ Manuals or information on:

- solar collector- collector tracker- water pumps

- steam engines- solar oven/cooker- refrigerator/

- Vanek "Superbike"icemaker

___ Videos:___ "The S.T.E.V.E.N. Technologies" (2 hr., 1986 -)

___ "Building a Solar Refrigerator at SIFAT" (short, 1995)

___Here's my donation of $____(tax-deductible) to help S.T.E.V.E.N. Foundation.

NAME:ADDRESS:

return to: ST.E.V.E.N Foundation, 414 Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, USA



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