PES Student Branch Updates: EEEColuz Project by University of Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB)
The EEEColuz project is about the development of an autonomous pole that makes use of Solar Energy and has low-cost materials that use simple and accessible technologies, making it economically viable and ecologically sustainable. This project seeks to solve the problem of electric energy deficit, especially in needy communities, because despite the era of digital revolution and constant technological advancement, it is clear that there are still communities that lack basic services like electricity and lighting. The EEEcoluz was inspired by one of the solutions used by the NGO Litro de Luz, an autonomous pole made up of simple, low-cost, and recycled materials, whose main objective is to bring quality of life in the form of lighting to needy communities. The project was developed by members of the IEEE PES Chapter of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) and, as can be seen below, it currently has a working prototype at this same university.
Prototype of the EEEColuz Project Installed at UFRB
The structure of the pole was designed with the use of pipes and connections of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has a pet bottle as a lamp. The structure underwent adaptations so that the prototype was suitable to be installed outdoors. Studies on the generation and consumption of energy are being carried out, in favour of its optimization, so that even during a period with low solar radiation the pole can remain in operation with better performance, so when it is installed in poor communities it will present the maximum of efficiency. The development of the project has, until now, had great repercussions both in IEEE media and in renowned media in Brazil, which brought to light the benefits of its application and importance to society, thus allowing members of other IEEE Student Branches to become aware of the project seeking to establish partnerships with the IEEE PES UFRB Student Branch Chapter, of this institution, so that they could implement this in their Institutions.
Among other events organized by the UFRB SB Chapter, two notable events were: a lecture by Prof. Dr. Joaquim Galo from the department of EE and an event on RES for Kids. The title of the talk was “Implementation of Smart Grid in Electric Energy concessionaires”. Chapter members and students from UFRB engineering courses attended the lecture. Right after the lecture, “Power Coffee” took place, where there was a moment for an exchange of unique and accessible experiences with professor Camila Bezerra, Yasmin Matos and Ítala Liz. The moment had conversations and interactions through the speakers and the audience, about the role of women in the job market and in academic life.
PES Day UFRB First Day Speakers and Participants
During the RES event, after a playful and fun presentation about the generation of electric energy and renewable energies, children painted and there was open forum discussion.
Results of Drawings Painted by School Children
Luiz Fernando dos Santos Almeida
Vice Chair IEEE PES SB Chapter, UFRB