Ashoka at the Intersection of Technology and Social Entrepreneurship

by Nathaniel Whittemore · 2009-07-24 15:27:00 UTC
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Ashoka is a constantly interesting source of great information and news about some of the most interesting social innovators around the world. For the past few years, they've been partnering with the Lemelson Foundation to increase the intersection between technological invention and innovation and social entrepreneurship.

For the past couple months, they've been blogging about that intersection at Tech.Ashoka.org. I've only just discovered it today after a conversation with the staffer Paula leading the effort, but it's an absolutely terrific resource not just to learn more but to frankly be blown away by all the creative stuff going on out there. Case in point, "Creating Electricity From Onions:"

Oxnard, Calif. based onion producer Gills Onions has turned to fuel cells to solve both its waste and energy needs.

Working with Southern California Edison and FuelCell Energy of Danbury, Conn., Gills Onions' advanced energy recovery system reduces 75% of the 300,000 lbs of daily waste.  This waste is then converted to liquid and placed in an anaerobic digester where it is converted to methane and burned to power two 300 kilowatt fuel cells, which provide 35 percent to 45 percent of the farm's electricity needs.

According to the Danbury News-Times, Gills Onions "received a $2.7 million California state grant to cover part of the [$9.6 million] cost."

You can view a video about the project from the Ventura County Star.

Check them out here.

Nathaniel Whittemore is the founder of Assetmap. Previously he was the founding director of the Northwestern University Center for Global Engagement.
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