Professional Documents
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C ON S E R VAT I O N B A S E D L I V E L I H O O D O P P O RT U N I T I E S
Theory of Change:
Avani provides a village-level cook-
ing energy solution that reduces fuel
gathering time by 70% over wood,
provides smoke-free homes, and
reduces deforestation, which protects
the health of people and forests,
while generating income and reducing
carbon emissions by generating clean Solution:
electricity. AVANI’s latest energy initiative generates energy from locally
gathered pine needles. Unlike most bioenergy projects, this one
uses a feedstock (pine needles) that is harmful if it is not har-
vested, to generate combustible gases that produce electricity
which it sells to the local grid utility. It also addresses the most
energy intensive and vital household process – cooking by sup-
plying charcoal, which is a by-product, at a price cheaper than
gas or kerosene. Families can pay for the charcoal either in cash
or by collecting pine needles.
“AVANI has generated optimism by initiating programs that bring technology and employ-
ment to over 5,000 families which promises to reverse the trend of migration in search of
work.” - Rajnish Jain, Director
Growth Plan:
2011: 120 Kw gasifier system in oper-
ation meeting needs of 8,000 people.
2013: 3 gasifier systems in operation
meeting the needs of 24,000 people
and generating enough profits to fund Social Impact:
expansion.
2014: Self-sustainable with $360k
cash positive to further expand our
operations
This profile was developed during the 2010 Global Social Benefit Incubator™, the signature program of
Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology and Society.
Updated 8/26/2010. www.scu.edu/sts/gsbi