Presenter(s)

    Matt Abele, Abin Johny

    Comments

    Presentation: 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m., Kennedy Union Ballroom

    This project reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

    Course: RCL 595

    Download

    Download Project (937 KB)

    Description

    Although the world lives in the 21st century, inequality, poverty, hunger, and thirst plague many parts of the world. While developing nations receive a vast majority of the attention and aid, there are communities closer to home which should garner greater publicity than they currently receive. In the United States alone, large populations of people live without access to running water, let alone potable water for consumption, cooking, and general hygiene. For centuries, Native American populations have endured hardship and suffering at the hands of the American people and government, who seem to have all but forgotten their existence. In the Navajo Nation, the largest reservation in the United States, as many as 30 percent of residents lack access to running water and many lack sufficient access to potable drinking water. Compounding these issues are the great distances they must travel for food and water, placing even greater economic strain on the people. This project serves to elevate marginalized communities, like the Navajo Nation, by providing for the most essential needs of the community while also providing some monetary benefit – increasing equity and elevating the people. The developed micro-grid design includes a solar array and battery storage sized to provide power year-round to the bitcoin farm while also providing power for a water purification system capable of meeting the needs of the community. This investment-ready package provides community income in the form of bitcoin, while also providing clean drinking water from unregulated wells which otherwise supply the area with contaminated water. Income from the bitcoin mining operation goes to a community fund while also paying back investors in a short time making this an attractive project for investors and communities alike. Further adaptation could be implemented to provide for other community needs such as indoor farms or community electrical loads.

    Publication Date

    4-20-2022

    Project Designation

    Course Project

    Primary Advisor

    Kevin P. Hallinan

    Primary Advisor's Department

    Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

    Keywords

    Stander Symposium project, School of Engineering

    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

    Reduced Inequalities; Clean Water and Sanitation

    Design of an Investment Ready Solar Energy, Bitcoin Mining, & Water Purification Package for Equity Expansion in the Navajo Nation

    Share

    COinS