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Solar cookers and ovens as one more measure to overcome energy poverty
Published on 19 February 2021
Spain
Andalucía
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About this good practice
The 2030 Agenda obliges university institutions, such as the University of Huelva (UHU), to propose ways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as to end poverty and the reduction of inequalities, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities and, mainly, climate action.
It was detected that the lack of knowledge of solar cookers by social agents, in particular, and civil society, in general, required an exercise of knowledge transfer to promote these SDGs through this technology and also to encourage energy empowerment of citizens so that they have an active role in deciding what energy they consume.
For this reason, activities have been developed to demonstrate the different ways of cooking with the sun - cooking and tasting a solar menu in real time, its capabilities and utilities - with primary school students and the UHU, promoted by different Services: Department of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability Classroom, Health Unit, Social Council and with unemployed women from Intermon-Oxfam.
In addition, the presence of solar cookers in the curriculum of UHU degrees has been promoted, both in theoretical and practical teaching, as well as in the acquisition of competencies through non-formal activities. For this, a teaching innovation project has been carried out to evaluate the possibilities of its inclusion in formal contents of some degrees and masters.
It was detected that the lack of knowledge of solar cookers by social agents, in particular, and civil society, in general, required an exercise of knowledge transfer to promote these SDGs through this technology and also to encourage energy empowerment of citizens so that they have an active role in deciding what energy they consume.
For this reason, activities have been developed to demonstrate the different ways of cooking with the sun - cooking and tasting a solar menu in real time, its capabilities and utilities - with primary school students and the UHU, promoted by different Services: Department of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability Classroom, Health Unit, Social Council and with unemployed women from Intermon-Oxfam.
In addition, the presence of solar cookers in the curriculum of UHU degrees has been promoted, both in theoretical and practical teaching, as well as in the acquisition of competencies through non-formal activities. For this, a teaching innovation project has been carried out to evaluate the possibilities of its inclusion in formal contents of some degrees and masters.
Resources needed
• 4 teachers, 2 technicians from the Dpt. Integrated Sciences & 10 students from the volunteer network of the Sustainability Classroom.
• 5,400€, part from UHU through the Sustainability Classroom and Social Council and part from the Andalusian Regional Government through the Ecocampus programme.
• 5,400€, part from UHU through the Sustainability Classroom and Social Council and part from the Andalusian Regional Government through the Ecocampus programme.
Evidence of success
• 4 editions of "Green Days": 1,200 children from 24 primary schools attended.
• 32 demonstrative workshops: 1,780 UHU students attended. A greater impact was caused given that the workshops were held on public roads, visible to anyone passing by at the time of the activity.
• Inclusion in the Energy Management class of the Environmental Sciences degree course.
• 1 End of degree project on solar cookers.
• 32 demonstrative workshops: 1,780 UHU students attended. A greater impact was caused given that the workshops were held on public roads, visible to anyone passing by at the time of the activity.
• Inclusion in the Energy Management class of the Environmental Sciences degree course.
• 1 End of degree project on solar cookers.
Potential for learning or transfer
This technology is rated as very effective, sustainable and adequate by those attending the demonstrative workshops. In other words, it is easily understood by the citizens, which shows interest. Therefore, it is replicable to any European region since a parabolic solar cooker is able to concentrate direct solar radiation from any angle, making it possible to be used at any latitude. That is, on a clear day we could have approximately the same performance anywhere.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
University of Huelva
Spain
Andalucía
Contact
Project Manager