The pilot year for Fiji Power, our Year 9 science outreach program, has been a huge success. The vaccination fridge is now running on a dedicated solar power system and is keeping essential vaccinations cool.
Three Australian students from three different schools, in two different Australian States won a fantastic all expenses paid trip to Fiji. They did this by outlining advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy systems suitable for running the vaccination fridge at Naqarawai. They not only worked with our expert installation team but also three local Fijian high school students who learned how to install, service and maintain the system.
The Fijain Ministry of Health is extremely happy with the outcome and the Government is keen to work with Bookend Trust in looking at solutions for other medical centres in Fiji. The Ministry of Education in Fiji is keen for us to work with Fijian students and to incorporate our program into their new Certificate in Renewable and Sustainable energies.
We also visited a medical centre on the Island of Beqa. The plan for next year is to come up with a renewable energy solution for the Raviravi vaccination fridge. The Island might be suitable for tidal power, wave power, wind or solar? Or maybe there are other technologies that might work. We are looking for great ideas from Australian students. Maybe you could be the next student to win a trip to Fiji and help install a renewable energy system on the tropical island of Beqa? Fiji Power 2015 is now complete, but Fiji Power 2016 is just around the corner! Keep an eye on the Expedition Class home page for all the 2016 details in late November.
