Elections Result 2012

Equinox elections took place on Wednesday 15th February 2012. The new executive committee is as follows:

Chair: Abdalla Abou Jaoude
Vice-Chair, Expeditions: Ali Al-Hakim
Vice-Chair, Information: Michael Chung
Vice-Chair, Technical Development: Matthew Wood
Vice-Chair, Business Strategy: Joao Mesquita Piquard
Vice-Chair, Finance: Richard Mori
Technical Team Leader, Battery Box: Akila de Silva
Technical Team Leader, Standalone: Yuval Jacob
Technical Team Leader, Datalogger: Alexander Stott
Treasurer: Rushabh Mehta
Secretary: Yuchen Wang


Congratulations to the new executive committee!!!



Summer 2011 Expedition



This summer 12 of our members went to Rwanda and Tanzania to implement two new solar projects, upgrade our three old Energy Kiosks and explore new projects for the future. We expanded our projects into Tanzania this year to install a solar energy kiosk and micro-grid in a new school in Mwanza. Back in Rwanda the rest of the team installed a solar energy kiosk at a UN Habitat community in the Bugesera district. Both the new and old projects were supplied with upgraded battery boxes and lamps that use a DC output, which significantly increases the battery life. Additionally, the financial model was changed from a monthly payment scheme to a pay-per-recharge system in order to alleviate the seasonal financial strain on customers. Next year we will be implementing a hydro-powered kiosk in collaboration with Dartmouth University, and therefore a few of our members travelled to many different parts of the country doing technical and social surveys of waterfalls and nearby communities. It was a long and busy trip, but all in all it was successful, and we are looking forward to seeing the projects develop as we enter into a period of more formalised project evaluation.





September 2010 - Implementation trip



A bigger team, comprising of 10 people, went to Rwanda during September 2010. Their determination and drive saw them successfully overcoming numerous setbacks and difficulties, and achieving much more than their predecessors. The team implemented 2 new projects - in Bugesera and Kamonyi, powered respectively by solar energy and grid electricity, and benefitting 120 households each. Also, they introduced 120 new battery boxes to the pilot Kiosk in Minazi, boosting capacity by 200%. Local authorities showed tremendous support by advising on marketing, pricing, and selection of shopkeepers. Furthermore, the team conducted 5 site surveys for micro-hydro power generation, as e.quinox is aiming to tap into other renewable resources for electricity generation.

Their local partners were crucial to the success of e.quinox's operations in Rwanda. The team also met with key stakeholders such as the United Nations Development Program, Belgian Technical Cooperation, and other aid agencies such as Department For International Development (UK) and Japanese International Cooperation Agency. Students from KIST also participated enthusiastically in this expedition, helping with technical implementation and on-site logistical support. Further to that, the KIST students are also setting up a local chapter - e.quinox Rwanda.

One exciting element of this expedition was the filming of the team for BBC World Challenge. As one of the 12 finalists of the BBC World Challenge, the team was filmed in action for 4 days, and thoroughly enjoyed the media attention. Beyond that, the more heartening fact was the fact that the e.quinox projects are finally raising enough awareness to the wider public.



January 2010 - Survey trip



Our third trip to Rwanda had several objectives: 1) Survey new sites for implementation of a solar kiosk, a grid-connected kiosk and a hydro kiosk. 2) Meet local suppliers to source as much as possible locally. 3) Confirm the continued involvement of our partners. All three tasks were fulfilled successfully, paving the ground for a second round of pilot project implementation in 2010.



September 2009 - Project Implementation



A team of 9 students went to Rwanda during August and September to implement our first Energy Kiosk in Minazi Sector, Gakenke District in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The Kiosk has a production capacity of around 420 W peak and can provide lighting for around 50 houses. Furthermore, mobile phone charging is being offered in the kiosk and the roof of the building is used to provide free water for villagers. Four villagers have been trained to run the kisok, two of which are currently employed by e.quinox.
The official opening of the kiosk took place on the 30th of September. Currently the data from the pilot system is being evaluated. This feedback will be used for the optimization of the system for future projects.




January 2009 - Survey Trip



The aim of this trip was to meet our local partners and suppliers, survey several villages, conduct socioeconomical studies of potential communities and finally to select a village for implementation in September 2009. During this trip our partnership with the Belgian Technical Cooperation, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology was established.