We are excited to share the latest developments on our Biogas Digester project. As many of you know, this initiative has been in the works for several years, and we are now seeing significant progress. Today, we bring you an insightful interview with Estelle Olivier, an intern from France who has been working closely with our team on this project. Estelle's passion for environmental engineering and dedication to leaving a positive mark in Santiago Atitlán has been truly inspiring.
What motivated you to volunteer at TRL?
I am currently in my second year of engineering studies at IMT Mines Alès in France, specializing in environmental engineering. I focus on making human activities more sustainable and less environmentally harmful. A few years ago, I decided to dedicate my work to international solidarity and development. I aim to apply the skills I learn in school to projects that can significantly improve people's lives while protecting the environment. After completing an internship in Cameroon last year, where I worked on improving access to light in rural areas, I wanted to focus on food security and clean cooking for my next internship. That's how I discovered TRL. I was drawn to TRL because it is an NGO large enough to have a real impact but still small enough to be open to new ideas and projects. When I saw that TRL was looking for a volunteer with expertise in energy, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity for me.
As someone who joined the organization recently, how has your experience been so far?
My experience has been filled with impressive discoveries, particularly regarding the ONIL stoves' efficiency and importance in this context. I am constantly amazed by TRL's work within the Tz'utujil community, especially when I see people carrying large amounts of wood down the streets. I've also appreciated having the freedom to propose new ideas and projects, take on responsibilities, and still feel listened to and supported by the team.
The Biogas Digester project has been part of the organization's plans for years. How do you feel about being part of this project at such a crucial stage?
It's definitely challenging—I've never worked on a project at such a critical stage before. However, I am confident in the science behind Biogas Digesters. That's why we decided to create a pilot Biogas Digester first. We wanted to address as many uncertainties as possible before moving on to a larger one at a school, which is the original project. We built a small pilot Biogas Digester at Candis, Cameron, and Isa's house, privately funded, so we didn't use TRL's funds. I'm glad we made this decision, as we now have more confidence in the size calculations, building materials and techniques, time and cost estimates, and understanding of the effects of different organic materials.
What are the Biogas Digester project's main environmental benefits for the Santiago Atitlán community?
There are several significant environmental benefits of installing a biogas digester in Santiago Atitlán. First, it produces biogas for cooking, which means less deforestation, no smoke, and substantial savings in time and money. For those already using LPG gas, switching to biogas is better for the environment because biogas is renewable. The CO2 produced by burning biogas comes from organic materials that would decompose anyway, unlike LPG, which is extracted from the ground and imported, generating a large carbon footprint. Even though the gas produced might not last long enough for extended cooking sessions, it still makes a difference for everyday use.
Secondly, the biogas digester produces a good fertilizer known as "digestate," which can potentially replace the chemical fertilizers widely used here. However, since our biogas digester is fed with human waste, the World Health Organization recommends using the digestate only on trees, not vegetables or crops. Fortunately, we have plenty of coffee trees here!
Finally, the biogas digester helps sanitize black water, addressing a significant environmental issue. This makes it an excellent solution, tackling three problems at once!
Can you explain how the Biogas Digester works and how it will help reduce lake pollution?
A biogas digester works much like a cow's stomach. It's an airtight structure made of bricks and cement where, in a liquid and oxygen-free environment, methanogenic bacteria break down organic material and produce a mix of CO2 and CH4, known as biogas—similar to a cow's farts! The biogas digester has a tube that acts like a mouth, with a kind of blender to ensure everything entering is almost liquid. In our case, we have two inputs: one connected to the toilets and another to add food scraps. There are also two outputs: one for the liquid digestate and one for any solid waste accumulating at the bottom of the biogas digester.
Connecting a biogas digester to the toilets allows it to serve as a sanitation system for black water. In this region, the volcanic soil is highly fractured, and people often dispose of their black water into cracks that lead directly to the lake, contributing to its contamination. The lake is now polluted with E. coli and coliforms, making it unsafe for human consumption, according to the Autoridad para el Manejo Sustentable de la Cuenca del Lago Atitlán y su Entorno. Our biogas digester project aims to prevent this type of pollution.
What challenges have you encountered during the construction of the pilot test, and how have you and the team overcome them?
The first challenge was to learn everything I could about biogas digesters. This technology has been used in China since the early 1900s and has undergone many improvements, including different shapes and sizes. I think I read at least 15 scientific articles and reports on the subject. The challenge was organizing all that information.
Working with Lucas and Juan, we had to find clever ways to build a perfect half-dome structure with an 80 cm radius that needed to be airtight. However, we couldn't plaster it entirely from the inside, or we'd be stuck inside! It was a real pleasure working with them and exchanging our knowledge.
Now, I'm interested in exploring alternative cement materials to reduce construction's environmental impact and use more locally available resources. For this, TRL plans to collaborate with my school in France (IMT Mines Alès) to create a research project for the materials department. Three students might work on this topic as part of a month-long exercise during their studies.
How do you envision the long-term future of the project in the community?
I see it as a global improvement. For the community, it means better sanitation and cooking systems, and it's another opportunity for TRL to raise awareness about pollution and deforestation.
What has been your favorite part of working on this project so far?
Seeing the first blue flames emerge from the burner was intense. Still, my favorite part was working with Lucas and Juan on the construction. I was thrilled to learn about masonry from them—they taught me a lot!
Is there anything you'd like the community or our supporters to know about the Biogas Digester project?
The potential for Biogas Digesters Santiago Atitlán is too significant to limit to just one school. We want to expand the scale and scope of TRL's projects, so stay tuned for future announcements in upcoming newsletters.
What has been the most rewarding part of working on this project for you personally?
The most rewarding part was definitely seeing the Biogas Digester work, especially after nearly three stressful weeks of waiting. Seeing a direct, concrete, and, above all, useful application of my years of study was incredibly satisfying.
Do you have any advice for other communities or organizations considering a similar initiative?
Don't hesitate to ask the global community for help. We received support from experts in Honduras, Cuba, and France. The beauty of appropriate technology like this is that the information is freely available.
I definitely want to continue working on this so future projects may arise. The school's biogas digester presents new technical challenges, so the work is far from finished. I want to thank Candis, Cameron, Isa, Heman, Candelaria, and Maria-Teresa for their warm welcome to Guatemala and TRL. Now, I must return to France to complete my studies and graduate in March, but I'm sure I'll be back!
Making these changes in our daily lives may seem small, but their result is profound. By reducing our reliance on single-use plastics, we are protecting our environment, conserving resources, and improving our quality of life. Less plastic waste means cleaner oceans, healthier wildlife, and a more sustainable future for generations to come.
We are incredibly grateful for Estelle's contributions and dedication to our Biogas Digester project. Her work has been instrumental in advancing this crucial initiative, and we look forward to seeing the long-term benefits for the Santiago Atitlán community. Stay tuned for more updates in our next newsletter as we continue to work towards sustainable solutions for a healthier planet and a stronger community.
Maria Teresa Puac V.
Communications Coordinator
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