Training for CBO's / Initiative Groups in Renewable Energy Technologies

As a direct complement to the USAID funded Georgia Energy Security Initiative (GESI) program, and in order to support the potential usage of alternative energy sources, as well as promote economic development and enhance energy efficiency through improved resource management and the implementation of new technologies/programs, the E&E SO of USAID have requested two in-country training events for CBOs/Initiative groups to expose them to a diversity of potential renewable energy technologies in Georgia and provide them with in-depth information on their practical application. 

In November-December 2004, World Learning and Energy Efficiency Center Georgia (EEC) in partnership with the Georgian Association of Energy Engineering (GAEE) through USAID funding facilitated two in-country trainings in Tbilisi 16-18.11.2004 and Chakvi 29-1.12.2004 for CBOs/Initiative groups from east and west Georgian regions in renewable energy technologies.

The project results will be disseminated with the help of leaf letters and organization of the seminar.

THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

Goal: to promote better awareness on the alternative energy options in the regions of Georgia.

In particular, the program objectives were:

• To familiarize CBOs/Initiative groups with modern renewable energy technologies;

• To provide CBOs/Initiative groups with a better understanding on how these technologies can be used in their region/town/village;

• To define the tools for cost efficient and environmentally sound renewable energy technologies.

The training participants represented CBOs/Initiative Groups from east and west Georgia. 
Majority of the participants had engineering background. 
Agenda for all 3 days of training was intensive and included:

• Mini-lectures incorporating slide presentations to provide participants with necessary background information, research findings, and motivational examples;

• Case studies -real-life best practice stories that described in detail what happened to other community, family or individual to provide the opportunity for participants to consider the forces that converge to make an individual or group act in one way rather than another and to evaluate the consequences.

• Questions and answers and discussion of the topic at the end of each session;

• Simple exercises on the design on do-it- yourself renewable energy facilities.

• Demonstration of visual materials, photos, videos reflecting the different types of renewable energy plants construction and operation.

• Site visits to the renewable energy facilities where the participants could see with their own eyes the structures and facilities and watch their operation.
  
  In addition the participants received all the presentations' hand-outs, leaflets, brochures and EEC Georgia published newsletters on:

• "Energy Efficiency In Household Sector", 

• "Recommendations for Construction of Small Biogas Installations for farmers", 

• "Do it yourself -Small Hydro Power plants", 

• "Energy Efficiency Home Means…."

• "Simple Available Measures for House Warming", 

• Brochure on new energy saving and energy efficient technologies and developments, 

•  "Solar Energy for Poverty Reduction". 

• Information on local and worldwide suppliers of turbines for hydro plants

• Case studies and best practices of renewable enegy applications worldwide and in Georgia

Training sessions were conducted by EEC Georgia and GAEE energy experts who have many year practical experience, are well aware of the problems and opportunities, know the Georgian reality and can advise on which advanced technologies are applicable for the country. 
This joint team of trainers offered the participants a specially designed course in renewable energy for rural community leaders, which will raise their awareness of new alternative sources of energy and give practical examples of renewable energy usage in rural communities of Georgia.
At the end of training sessions the participants developed master plans for their communities. They tried to include new ideas and knowledge on renewable energy potential and opportunities in their plans and set up steps for achieving energy sustainability for their respective communities. Some of their ideas might materialize in a project proposal to seek funding in the frame of GESI programme through USAID funding.

The training participants represented CBOs/Initiative Groups from east and west Georgia. 
Majority of the participants had engineering background. 
Agenda for all 3 days of training was intensive and included:

• Mini-lectures incorporating slide presentations to provide participants with necessary background information, research findings, and motivational examples;

• Case studies -real-life best practice stories that described in detail what happened to other community, family or individual to provide the opportunity for participants to consider the forces that converge to make an individual or group act in one way rather than another and to evaluate the consequences.

• Questions and answers and discussion of the topic at the end of each session;

• Simple exercises on the design on do-it- yourself renewable energy facilities.

• Demonstration of visual materials, photos, videos reflecting the different types of renewable energy plants construction and operation.

• Site visits to the renewable energy facilities where the participants could see with their own eyes the structures and facilities and watch their operation.

In addition the participants received all the presentations' hand-outs, leaflets, brochures and EEC Georgia published newsletters on:

• Energy Efficiency In Household Sector", 

•  "Recommendations for Construction of Small Biogas Installations for farmers", 

• "Do it yourself -Small Hydro Power plants", 

• "Energy Efficiency Home Means…."

• "Simple Available Measures for House Warming", 

• Brochure on new energy saving and energy efficient technologies and developments, 

• "Solar Energy for Poverty Reduction". 

• Information on local and worldwide suppliers of turbines for hydro plants

• Case studies and best practices of renewable enegy applications worldwide and in Georgia

Training sessions were conducted by EEC Georgia and GAEE energy experts who have many year practical experience, are well aware of the problems and opportunities, know the Georgian reality and can advise on which advanced technologies are applicable for the country. 

This joint team of trainers offered the participants a specially designed course in renewable energy for rural community leaders, which will raise their awareness of new alternative sources of energy and give practical examples of renewable energy usage in rural communities of Georgia.

At the end of training sessions the participants developed master plans for their communities. They tried to include new ideas and knowledge on renewable energy potential and opportunities in their plans and set up steps for achieving energy sustainability for their respective communities. Some of their ideas might materialize in a project proposal to seek funding in the frame of GESI programme through USAID funding.