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Page of Attila Szabo[top] [end]Who am II am a medical doctor involved in community based projects in the low-income communities in South Africa. My company, Clean Works Consulting, promotes ethanol gel fuel and gel fuel technology as an alternative domestic fuel to paraffin for cooking and heating. I was the project director for a Government funded project where we tested the viability of replacing paraffin with ethanol gel fuel. The new product was received greatly by the participants. I am fascinated with this new energy source (ethanol gel fuel - renewable, eco-friendly, non-toxic etc.) and its benefits to the poor communities.[top] [end]Clean Works ConsultingSince 2005, Clean Works Consulting (previously Clean Heat CC) has been directly involved in research and focus group testing of locally manufactured ethanol gel fuel and its appliances as an alternative to the domestic use of the unhealthy, non-renewable (paraffin is a petroleum derivative) and fire-prone paraffin technology. Clean Works has determined that ethanol gel is a safe, clean and affordable domestic fuel that can, in a short to medium term, provide a viable solution to the energy needs of low-income households. I would be very interested to change information on the ethanol gel fuel and appliances with anybody with similar interest. My e-mail address is: attila@...[top] [end]Gel Fuel xChangeI have recently developed a plan for a business that switches domestic paraffin use to a safe, healthy and environment friendly ethanol gel fuel in low-income households. My business plan was one of the winners of a regional South African Enablis Business Plan Competition (social entrepreneur). You can read more about it hereI am actively seeking carbon finance for this project, in the voluntary and CDM markets, and if you are interested and require further information then please contact me at attila@... or look me up on the HEDON Directory [top] [end]Business plan – Executive SummaryCurrently there are more than 2 million households who are using paraffin as a source of fuel for cooking and heating in South Africa. These communities are disadvantaged, low-income families, living in urban or rural informal settlements. Paraffin and the poorly made stoves are extremely dangerous and cause over 40,000 fires in South African households costing over R100 billion (DME 2004) in losses annually.We propose a business to introduce, exchange (from paraffin), market and distribute an alternative and safe fuel (ethanol gel fuel) in the low-income households in South Africa. We have already started to roll out our Pilot Project in Imizamo Yethu township, Hout Bay, Western Cape. The ethanol gel fuel is safe, environmentally friendly and also renewable as it is derived from bio-ethanol (sugarcane, maize). The gel fuel appliances (stoves and heaters) are also more stable, safe, simple to use and durable. Although the gel fuel and its appliances are slightly more expensive than paraffin and the paraffin appliances, the price gap significantly decreased in the last two years as international oil prices are continuously on the rise (oil recently hit $100). Recent changes in government policies (ban on substandard paraffin stoves) also point to the long term competitiveness of the ethanol gel fuel. Imizamo Yethu is a relatively small (approx. 4000 households) informal settlement in an enclosed valley, where the economic, social and environmental impact of the project could be easily monitored. Clean Works has already given demonstrations and generated a substantial interest in switching to gel fuel. Our project involves setting up a distribution network of container stores. Initially two and at a later stage another two 40 foot containers are placed at strategic points in the settlement to sell the products. Each store is supplied with a starting stock (supply for about 4 weeks) of gel fuel and appliances. The products are sold at a subsidized price at the beginning to create interest and the initial momentum in sales volumes. After the initial introductory period the prices stay regulated so the products remain affordable but also allow for the sustainability of the independent businesses in the long term. Re-stocking of the stores is funded from the income generated by the sales. Permanent sales staff is employed to run each store and independent vendors also help to market and distribute the new fuel. We are in the process of requiring capital funding to expand our business. The capital investment required would finance the purchase, delivery and fitting of the Container Stores, the starting up stock of gel fuel and appliances and wages (store managers/sales persons, mobile vendors etc.). The financing would also cover the initial advertising and marketing costs (branding, leaflets, banners, product samples) and other logistics (renting of central storage place, transport of products, insurance, water & lights, rates etc.). This capital investment is fully re-paid over a 5 year period. The Gel Fuel xChange pilot project implements numerous initiatives which provide social and economical benefits to the local community – i.e. training and development of the communities, new job and business creation. Clean Works’ vision is that by the end of the second year the established distribution network is self sustainable and the local stores function as small independent businesses without any further need for financial support. They eventually detach from the original Clean Works business and are taken over by interested local entrepreneurs (franchise opportunity). The business also creates numerous permanent and temporary jobs (store managers, mobile vendors etc.). Furthermore, using the model and experience of this project Clean Works develops and/or facilitates similar businesses in other areas reaching many thousands more households. There is an interest for the products from other African countries (Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) where the supply of domestic fuels (mostly firewood and charcoal) is becoming a nationally and internationally recognized problem. The ethanol gel fuel also has a great potential as an energy source in emergency situations and during natural disasters. It is easy to transport and use and it is safe. We are in negotiations with local and international disaster management agencies about the possible introduction of the product. The gel fuel is already on the market for the catering industry (chaffing fuel) and there is an increasing interest in the outdoors and camping markets. User:Attila Szabo 18 January 2008 | |
Page created:
06 April 2006; Last edited:
18 January 2008; Version: 4 | |
Pagename: User:AttilaSzabo @HEDON: PADA | |
