00:00 How to make the most efficient grass pellets?
00:05 That's one focus of Julian Spratter's master's thesis.
00:09 At the Centre of Innovative Energy Systems at DĂĽsseldorf University,
00:13 Julian is also working on a cooking stove to optimise the grass pellet fuel
00:18 and help reduce deforestation in Madagascar.
00:22 We can't just deliver more efficient stoves to countries in the global south
00:27 and say, "This will help people."
00:30 That would only have a minimal effect on reducing deforestation there.
00:34 And that's why we've said we also need to develop a more efficient alternative fuel.
00:39 The original idea came from members of the Malagasy student and environmental organisation AGIPER.
00:47 They constructed eco-friendly stoves and made fuel pellets from compressed grass.
00:53 The students then brought them to local communities for testing.
00:57 The students from Germany saw the project during a visit to Madagascar
01:01 and wanted to develop it further.
01:04 Alternative fuel is in dire need in Madagascar, where deforestation has had a massive impact.
01:10 Traditionally, people have cut down trees to make charcoal fuel for cooking.
01:17 Now, only 10% of the original forest cover remains.
01:22 This is a devastating habitat loss for many species on the island.
01:27 Miscanthus grass is widespread in southern Madagascar, where it enjoys rapid, robust growth.
01:34 Locals often burn it to clear fields, a dangerous technique that causes many wildfires.
01:41 The AGIPER team identified Miscanthus grass as a valuable resource and a source of income for residents.
01:48 We are planning to make a massive mass production of these pellets
01:53 and at the same time mass production of this specific stove that is compatible with these pellets
02:01 and we are going to promote it in the whole country.
02:05 Meanwhile in Germany, the students from Dusseldorf University, aided by a local vocational school,
02:11 set to work on designing a solar-powered pellet factory
02:15 designed to enable that mass production of alternative fuel in Madagascar.
02:21 A chopping machine and hammer mill turn the grass into pellets.
02:26 The entire factory can be dismantled to fit into two shipping containers,
02:31 with the production costs of some 70,000 euros collected via crowdfunding.
02:37 We are just testing everything.
02:40 To help build it, we'll send over students who are working on the project and who are doing their theses on it.
02:47 Today we worked with a school class to prepare the construction.
02:51 For example, we pre-drilled the roof so that on-site assembly will be easier.
02:56 That way we won't have to do any drilling down there, we can just screw it together.
03:04 The pellet factory is destined for Andalemangöki in southern Madagascar.
03:08 The site was chosen because of the abundance of miscanthus grass here.
03:15 In April we normally start cutting and collecting grass again.
03:21 This is the time when it grows everywhere here.
03:26 And in case it rains after we've cut the grass in April, we'll get a second harvest.
03:36 I think the village will profit from this project.
03:40 And people won't harm the forest anymore.
03:43 Water will be replenished and the situation will improve.
03:52 A 35 kilo bag of charcoal costs 4 euros, the same amount of grass pellets, just three,
03:59 which could help the new fuel catch on.
04:02 If we are successful out there in the south of Madagascar,
04:06 then we are going to spread the plant and the technique in the whole country.
04:11 The Dusseldorf Uni team have set up a not-for-profit company to support the venture.
04:19 With the test phase successful, the pellet factory has been packed into the shipping containers
04:25 and it's expected to be set up in Madagascar in October this year.
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