Our Current Activities

INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY:

BCF mobilizes technology and connectivity to the GRECO internet to enable collaboration with local leaders to allowing them to invest in cultural, social, and economic opportunities. BCF works with Ministries of Education and Health, island schools and communities to maximize the utility of online resources.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION:

BCF invests in human, economic, socio-cultural and environmental capital, working with local Ecuadoran communities to promote development, environmental conservation, and economic opportunity. BCF also works with the Ministry of Health developing improved delivery of health services including telehealth.

More Information About Our Programs:

BCF is building Local Capacity in Renewable Energy and Entrepreneurship through related programs that provide education and training to students and youth in the Galapagos Islands. The goal is to teach youth how to design and install renewable energy systems on the islands and how to build productive enterprises using this energy.

Beyond Chacay Foundation (BCF) has been managing its programs in collaboration with volunteers from Fundación Un Cambio por la Vida (“FUNCAVID”), Villanova University, Escuela Superior Politécnica Del Litoral (ESPOL), Orcatec https://www.orcatec.ec/en/inicio, and IEEE, (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, https://www.ieee.org.

Funding from IEEE Smart Village has provided two grid-tied PV systems designed and installed at a school and for a small business. Each system is approximately 5kW in size and has met the power/energy needs of a school’s computer lab and the power/energy needs for the small business’ lighting, fans, TV, and other small appliances.

Project Background:

The Galapagos Islands are comprised of four main populated islands, San Cristobal (pop. 7,500), Santa Cruz (pop. 25,000), Isabela (pop. 5,000) and Floreana (pop. 250). The Galapagos Islands are governed by the Ecuadorian government under special terms through local government agencies including a main Governing Council, local municipalities and local Ministries of Tourism, Education, Health, etc. We have been engaged with these various stakeholders over the last eleven years collaborating on different projects. ESPOL, https://www.espol.edu.ec/es, has a legal agreement with the Governing Council and finalized an agreement with the Ministry of Education supporting all the elements of this program.

The 4 Principle Objectives:

ONE.

Realize the production of electricity utilizing approximately 10 kW PV panels, two 5000-Watt Inverters and balance of system components.

TWO.

Create and implement educational and technical skills training programs for youth on the design and installation of renewable energy systems.

THREE.

Create inspired Entrepreneurs through educating youth on the endless variety of productive uses of solar energy.

FOUR.

Promote opportunities for local women as instrumental agents of transformation by providing skills in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and enterprise development.

These four principal objectives have been the focus of a small pilot program funded by IEEE. Underlying these four objectives has been technology, digital literacy, opportunities for digital dividends, along with English language skills supporting better interaction with tourists.There is a commitment from IEEE to help co-fund support for a follow-up with a second stage as the first stage has been so successful. In addition to the Galapagos Islands, other underserved regions both in Ecuador as well as other regions of Central and South America will be considered for expansion of this program.

Equipment Purchased Included:

The following project details define the performance requirements of the pilot program funded by IEEE.

  • Twenty-eight (28) 380 Watt, PV Panels

  • 12 150Ah batteries

  • Two (1) 4,000 Watt, 48 Vdc Inverters to 120/240 Volt 60 Hz, AC

  • Two charge controllers

  • Two (2) Galvanized Steel Structure

  • Two (2) Lots of miscellaneous material (wiring, disconnect switches, combiner boxes, etc.)

  • Shipping

Four workshops were delivered to the island youth in January, June, and October of 2022 and in March of 2023.

After March 2023 those students who completed these renewable energy training programs have:

  1. Supported fishermen through electric outboard motor rentals

  2. Installed solar electric systems in rural communities in the highlands not connected to the electric grid

  3. Installed solar electric systems for homes and businesses

  4. Installed solar charging stations for electric scooters

  5. Installed solar charging station for electric vehicles

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The youth of three of the populated islands of the Galapagos Archipelago (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz and Isabela) were the target population for this program. BCF engaged nearly 150 youth on the islands, and has confident expectations that beneficiaries of this intervention will exceed 1,000 people.

BCF has already procured, installed, wired and commissioned the two systems referred to above. The project has been led by BCF in conjunction with FUNCAVID, ESPOL, Orcatec, and Villanova University and the local electric utility, Elec Galapagos. The demonstrated success of this project will serve as the prototype for similar installations for all four inhabited Galapagos islands.