Sorry it’s been a while since I last updated on what’s going on, things have been very busy!!! After coming back from Zambia I had a lot of work to do. I had to draw an electrical plan based on what I had discussed with Solar Aid. I needed to research alternative materials for roofing tile compared to what Zambia was using, so instead of using red oxide, which costs a bomb using limestone to make it green or crushed gravel to make it a grey colour and then making the roof a green roof with grass. As well as finding out more information about the Biogas and Waste water system and how that could be incorporated into the project and IF it could be incorporated into the project. There was a lot of research I had to do because I was a bit out of my depth. I have never been in charge of all the aspects of the plans like electrical, plumbing, sewage, etc. I never realized that before you can draw the foundations you have to have all these other things planned and in place. This was frustrating to me because I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere that I hadn’t put anything on paper. So a million emails, hours of research and much frustration I had a plan, which included a trip back to Zambia, I had it all worked out for the end of June but then…one of my contacts in Zambia, the man I needed to see is leaving for Germany for 6 weeks on the 19th of June. That totally shot my plan out the window. So I had to re-think and find out did I have the time and resources to go back to Zambia in such a sort space of time, would I be able to get it all done. I didn’t have an electrical plan drawn out…I didn’t have an electrician! So I was thinking that maybe this all wasn’t going to work, and then I went to Harare for the monthly AIDS clinic and I ran into a friend. He asked me how I was doing and I explained my situation and he said the best sentence I ever heard “Did you forget I’m an electrical engineer” Music to my ears!! So we sat down and drew a plan so I could take the plan with me to Zambia and meet with Solar Aid and meet with the Biogas and Waste Water guy. BOO YAAA. So now I had to plan the trip and it actually came up at a good time because my visa has to be renewed by June 13th. Due to time restraints and previous experience I decided to fly to Zambia (I just finished having my car fixed in Harare so it’s running like new, but that’s another blog). So I was able to get a ticket to fly on Sunday morning 6:45am (yuck!) and come back Monday (that’s right the next day) at 9pm. So 36 hours in Zambia to do what I need to do, no diddling around. While this is all going on I met a volunteer at the AIDS clinic, a student in mechanical engineering who is doing his final project on electromagnetic boiler systems for industrial use. This really means using electricity to clean and heat water for a hot water heater. As he was talking about this the hamster in my brain started running on her wheel and the light came on, is it possible that this electricity could also cool water? Could it be used to power the movement of air through a building? How much electricity would it take? How much fuel would it take if the power goes out? Well WHEN the power goes out? What if we could apply this system to an HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Part of the project is to build a prototype. So after asking my questions and thinking I thought it’s crazy enough it just might work. So I made an appointment to meet his team at the university and talk it out. While I was there I met the Chairman of the department, after a chat, he offered me a teaching job, teaching “Strength and Materials” to second year students. It was a lovely thought but when would I have time to teach? The project has to be approved and the prototype work to pass and it was the condition that I made if it was to be used for the project. The project is to be handed in at the end of the month and approved by the Chairman by the end of July when they graduate, which actually works out pretty good timing wise. So another section well on it’s way. My next big headache is plumbing. Any suggestions? This has been a HUGE learning experience for me and I’m loving every minute of it, even though at times it’s stressful, I’ve met some fantastic, brilliant people and learning about all sorts of new technology.
