An activity to explore
Renewable Energy options for…
practicalaction.org/moja-island
Learning Objective
To identify the most appropriate renewable
energy options for island communities
Energy Gap
Did you know that?
There’s a massive gap in the world between those who have
access to the energy needed for a decent quality of life and those
who don’t...
Although suitable technologies are available:
 1.3 billion people live without any form of electricity and 2.7
billion people still cook over open fires.
 Nearly one third of the world’s population don’t have access
to electricity from a national grid.
 The majority of people without access to electricity live in
remote areas in ‘economically poor’ countries.
Question: Why do you think that is?
Energy access transforms
lives…
The development organisation Practical Action believes in
Technology Justice, that everyone has the right to access the
technologies they need in order to live a decent quality of life, as
long as they don’t harm others now or in the future.
Practical Action believes that renewable, locally-sourced
sustainable energy solutions enables people to work their way out
of poverty.
Technology Justice
in action….
Watch these short video clips from Practical Action to see how access to
renewable technology can transform lives
•
Generating energy from river water (micro-hydro) in Peru is providing
communities with opportunities for businesses, health and access to
schooling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xepODtFXjk4
•
Harnessing the sun’s energy (solar energy) provides better access to
education and other basic services for Dhan and his family in Nepal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2B4bQiH20o&feature=pl
cp
Introducing Moja island
Moja island is a small island
situated off the East Africa coast in
the Indian ocean
• There are 1,450 people who live
on the island, divided into four
main communities.
• It has no mains electricity.
• The islanders mainly use
kerosene lamps and candles for
lighting and fuel wood for
cooking food.
Moja island
The government of Moja Island has decided to invest
money to generate electricity on Moja Island
Your task:
As a group of scientists, you have been asked to identify
and make suggestions for the most appropriate
renewable energy options for the four communities on
Moja Island.
The task..
Each group will need:
•
•
•
•
A map of Moja Island
A set of Renewable energy fact cards
A set of Moja Island community cards
A Moja Island worksheet
You’ll need to read through the details about the
four island communities, find out where they live
and facts about the different renewable energy
options. These factors will help you work out the
best renewable energy options per island
community.
Complete the worksheet before feeding back in
class.
Your class choices
What were your renewable energy suggestions as a class for
communities living on Moja Island?
Tally the choices per community
Community
Ericas
Sandis
Hankis
Moodis
Wind power
Solar power
Water
(tidal,wave,
hydro)
Biological
(biomass,
biogas)
Geothermal
Most popular for
community
We hope you’ve enjoyed doing Practical Action’s Moja
Island activity
If you’d like to find out more about our work in
Renewable energy go to
http://practicalaction.org/energy
For more schools activities like these go to
http://practicalaction.org/stem