CENTER FOR CREATIVITY & SUSTAINABILITY STUDY & CONSULTANCY BULLETIN ACTIVITIES SUMMARY Q.2, 2017

Transcription

1 CENTER FOR CREATIVITY & SUSTAINABILITY STUDY & CONSULTANCY BULLETIN ACTIVITIES SUMMARY Q.2, 2017

2 Foreword The Center for Creativity and Sustainability Study and Consultancy (CCS) is a not-forprofit organization specialized in providing services of R&D, consultancy, capacity building and applications of creative and sustainable solutions and development models to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in Vietnam. CCS was established in 2013 to continue and sustain the successes and results of SPIN project, within the framework of the EU SWITCH-Asia program, in the field of sustainable product innnovation ( ). CCS s official office is located at 6 Lane 255 Cau Giay Street, Ha Noi, Vietnam. The Center s staff bring with them expertise and years of experience in different fields, from mechanics, energy, agriculture, economy to product design. Currently, CCS is supporting three social enterprises which also represent our three main fields of activities: i-nature (Zerowaste Agriculture); Green Street (Sustainable products); and Elegance (Renewable energy and Clean technologies). We would like to share with our honourable partners and donors the CCS Activities Summary Report for Quarter 2/2017, which includes the following contents: 1. Manufacturing the industrial continuous gasifier 2. Energy solutions in the circular economy 3. Update on Green Street activities 4. Green Street and Vietherb - a sustainable partnership 5. CCS participates in bidding for SWITCH-Asia projects 6. CCS attends the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki, Finland 7. CCS attends the second Proof of the Concept introductory ceremony 8. Actual use of biomass gasifiers in Cu Khoi 9. A cooking solution to replace firewood stoves in Dinh Hoa - Thai Nguyen 10. Update on the implementation of Cricket s Land project 11. Summary of i-nature business development team s activities in Q2/2017 Wishing you Health, Happiness and Success! Nguyê n Hô ng Long - Director of CCS

3 1. Manufacturing industrial continuous gasifier Testing continuous biomass gasifier model in the laboratory After the success of the smallscale test equipment for continuous biomass gasification technology, CCS s research and development team has been designing and building a large facility with the capacity up to 500kWt for 500 kg / h boiler. The outstanding advantage of continuous biomass gasifier is that it always maintains optimum gasification environment during operation, producing high quality, clean, uninterrupted energy flow (unlike the previous mechanized batch gasifier model). It is easy to operate, friendly to users, can easily adjust the capacity of the equipment (similar to adjusting gas stove). Adding capacity is possible by assembling the gasification modules together. With these advantages, continuous biomass gasifiers can be applied to almost all industrial equipment that uses heat with cheaper fuel inputs than coal, with the performance as good gas and also produces negative CO2 emissions. This model is expected to be completed and commissioned by the end of June This device is considered a turning point in CCS s product research and development, and is ready to put into practical application. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 3

4 2. Energy solutions in the circular economy Helen Cogeneration Plant in Helsinki Helen Company s Environmentally friendly energy Development Plan for 2050 According to the law of conservation of energy: Energy is not naturally produced or lost, but transformed from one form to another or passed from one thing to another. Therefore, if it is possible to convert between different forms of energy and supply to demanded consumers, the energy cycle will be able to complete. So it is possible to say that natural energy adapts to the theory of circular economy. This concept is given by Helen Energy (Finland). At present, the company is producing electricity and heat by cogeneration technology, which is highly efficient in economic and environmental terms. Total efficiency achieved over 90% of input fuels when operating at its best. In addition, demand for cooling is also indispensable (although less in Nordic countries like Finland), so that the technology of electricity (thermo, heat, cold) is applied. Up to 80% of cold energy is produced by the utilized energy that will otherwise be lost if not used. To balance production according to the consumer demand between heat and cold, it requires a component that able to store these forms of energy. For example, at night, the heat generated by the cogeneration process will be stored in a large underground aquarium, which can be up to 200 MWt, and when the need for daytime heat is high, this energy will be released. This stored energy has the same capacity as a thermal plant. Similar to cold energy, it is stored by underground energy storage devices and can also be used during the day. Energy solutions for circular economy is one of the expertise area that CCS is researching for application in Vietnam. This is a guideline for CCS to bring about tremendous economic, human and environmental value in the future. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 4

5 3. Update on Green Street activities Đông Gia ceramics Green Street- Hang Xanh s products will be on display in this event in Brussels, Belgium on 7-8 June 2017 as one of the typical results of SWITCH- Asia programme. The European Development Day (EDDs) is one of the events organized by the European Commission to facilitate exchanges, share ideas, solve urgent issues and create lasting and impact relationships. Coco Secret Soap Delivering products to the countries is the new move to promote SMEs that the program has supported though sustainable product innovation project - SPIN of Vietnam. Green Street- Hang Xanh s products will be on display in the European Development Day (EDDs) event in Brussels, Belgium. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 5

6 4. Green Street and Vietherb - a sustainable partnership Vietherb s products perfectly match the criteria and needs of Green Street Along with the trend of promoting sustainable development, Green Street- Hang Xanh offers consulting services on product innovation and sustainable products. Hang Xanh is one of the first choices when consumers want to find products from nature. Unlike other suppliers who deliver individual solutions on strategy, design, technology, and market research, Green Street always emphasizes sustainability as a top concern and instead offers full-package solutions. After 3 years of foundation and development, Green Street has always wanted to be a strategic partner with potential new customers. Vietherb is a social enterprise with the mission of preserving Vietnamese medicinal plants, researching and applying traditional Vietnamese remedies to develop Vietnamese medicinal values. Vietherb s products perfectly match the criteria and needs of Green Street. This partnership will be a new step forward for both Green Street and Vietherb, which raises the consumer awareness and bring them the most reliable and sustainable products. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 6

7 5. CCS participates in bidding for SWITCH - Asia projects SWITCH-Asia is the European Union s grants program for developing countries in Asia to implement projects in many areas such as product innovation, renewable energy, clean technology, etc. which the aim is to promoting sustainable production and consumption in these countries. Since 2007 SWITCH-Asia has funded over 90 projects in 18 countries in Asia after six calls for bids. The average implementation time of these projects is months and on average each project receives 1.7 million euros in grants from the European Union. In the second quarter of 2017, CCS has cooperated with several Vietnamese and international partners, such as Delft University, AITCV, CleanTechBulgaria, Oxfam, VIRI, etc. To join bidding on projects of biomass energy, organic food, ceramic tile production, sustainable agricultural value chain and eco-label. Of these, 3 projects are in the final round and are waiting for approval. CCS has cooperated with several Vietnamese and international partners, such as Delft University, AITCV, CleanTechBulgaria, Oxfam, VIRI, etc. to join bidding on projects within the framework of SWITCH-Asia programme. Mr. Nguyen Hong Long, CCS director, is speaking at the SWITCH-Asia programme seminar Delegates at the SWITCH-Asia programme seminar CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 7

8 6. CCS attends the World Circular Economy Forum in Helsinki, Finland Mr. Nguyen Hong Long and Mrs. Dinh Thao Hoa From 5-7 June 2017, Mr. Nguyen Hong Long, Mrs. Dinh Thao Hoa and two representatives of Elegance Company Ltd. for Research & Development, Manufacturing and Services (Elegance) were present in Helsinki-Finland to attend the main and side events of the World Circular Economic Forum (WCEF). This is the first time time the Forum was hosted by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and the Finnish Innovation Fund (SITRA). Attending the forum were more than 1,500 economists, international development organizations, researchers, business representatives and investors. It was the diversity of participants that made forum discussions interesting, exciting and exploding with a lot of multidimensional debates and new creative ideas. At the forum, CCS members participated in 15 sessions on topics such as Economic Research, SMEs Support, New Technologies, Business Models, Production Trends, Consumption and Investment trends and Circular economy channels. Mr. Nguyen Hong Long delivered a presentation on Eco-innovation at the session on Strategic Partnership Building to promote Circular economy and Ecoinnovation. His presentation received a lot of feedbacks, interest and cooperation offers from international partners attending in the event. In addition, the innovation models of Vietnamese enterprises presented by Mr. Long also attracted a lot of attention of the audience. As an experienced expert in Sustainable Production and Consumption and recently Eco-Innovation, Mr. Long asserted: Implementing Eco-innovation towards building circular economy is an indispensable trend of the productionconsumption society for sustainable development. This statement was approved and shared by most of the experts who attended in the event. In addition, CCS members had an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the actualization of the Circular economic theory around the world by visiting underground power plants operating on renewable energy in Finland or by participating in a roundtable discussion on innovative business models applying the Circular economy of successful entrepreneurs. Invited by CCS to attend the forum, Elegance company also had a valuable opportunity to meet with investors from Europe to present their innovative business model and call for funding for further development. With its intelligence, ability to learn relentlessly, and applicability and researching capacity, CCS has quickly integrated itself into the new development trend of the world - the circular economy - and made practical contributions to promote this new development trend in Vietnam. Currently, CCS has published two articles and a study on the applicability of circular economy in Vietnam, and the implementation of the Eco-innovation project to test the capacity for innovation towards sustainable development among Vietnamese enterprises in a number of industries such as: food processing, Beer and Paper production and pulp processing. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 8

9 7. CCS attends the second Proof of Concept introductory ceremony Following the success of the first Proof of Concept Contest with 18 enterprises winning the Creative Initiative to cope with climate change in Vietnam in June 2016, the Climate Innovation Center Vietnam (VCIC) organized the second Proof of Concept contest in April / July 2017 in Vietnam. The Introductory ceremony was hold at the Ministry of Science and Technology building, 113 Tran Duy Hung street, Hanoi. Two CCS representatives participated in the announcement day of the event and agreed with the event s general spirit that turning the challenges of climate change into business opportunities through comprehensive support innovative businesses and startups in the field of green and sustainable development. The event s general spirit was turning the challenges of climate change into business opportunities through comprehensive support innovative businesses and startups in the field of green and sustainable development. The 2nd Proof of Concept introductory event CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 9

10 8. Actual use of biomass gasifiers in Cu Khoi Gasifier using processed guava firewood On June 20, 2017, the director of CCS and representatives of EAP project sponsors visited and surveyed the progress of the project at Cu Khoi, Gia Lam, Hanoi. The team observed the application of biogas gasifier that was put into practice and produced biochar at Tue Vien Farm....operating the gasifier was quite simple and brought them great benefits when used. The price is also cheaper than using charcoal stove. In addition, the charcoal obtained after cooking is very good for agricultural purposes. Applying the gasifier for cooking As the available local resources, guava firewood will be utilized. Dried guava firewood will be processed and shredded and become the main resource for biomass gasifier here. People after tried out the gasifier gave comment that it was quite simple and brought them great benefits when used. The price is also cheaper than using charcoal stove. In addition, the charcoal obtained after cooking is very good for agricultural purposes. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 10

11 9. A cooking solution to replace firewood stoves in Dinh Hoa - Thai Nguyen Currently, ethnic minorities are still using firewood as the main method for cooking. This has led to the need to cut down firewood for people in moutainous areas. Understanding the situation, CCS has been carrying out LMI project in Thai Nguyen Province to replace stoves with gasifiers using local materials such as rice husks and corn cobs to help people less depend on the source. This also contribute to forest protection in the local area. On 21/06/2017, the leaders of CCS and sponsor representatives have came to Dinh Hoa (Thai Nguyen) to work and exchange about difficulties and expectations of people using gasifier in the living. Through the trial time of the gasifier, people in Dinh Hoa district said that the stove is simpler and more convenient than a wood stove. In addition, the by-product coal of the cooking process can be used to fertilize maize and vegetable fields. CCS has been carrying out LMI project in Thai Nguyen Province to replace stoves with gasifiers using local materials such as rice husks and corn cobs to help people less depend on the firewood source. CCS leaders and the sponsor representatives came to work with local households in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province. Using rice husk as the fuel for gasifier CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 11

12 10. Update on the implementation of Cricket s Land project Within the framework of comprehensive cooperation between An Sinh JSC and i-nature, closed-loop farm project Cricket s Land was started in April 2017 in Dan Phuong district, Hanoi. After 3 months, the project has completed the leveling and begins the construction of breeding facilities. The project team together with customers also conducted a tentative evaluation of the fruits and vegetables. These products are crunchy, sweet and have a unique flavor, very different from the same vegetables on the market. Cricket s Land promises to be a great place for those who love nature, clean food choices and a organic lifestyle. Muscovy duck s shed In parallel with the basic construction, the project team conducted trials of growing some vegetables and fruits, and gaining positive initial results. Vegetables such as pumpkin, spinach, spinach, corn beans, bitter melon grow well and start to harvest. The average productivity in the first three months is expected to be about1-1,2 kg/m 2. Bitter melon Sunflower Cricket s Land promises to be a great place for those who love nature, clean food choices and a organic lifestyle. CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 12

13 11. Summary of i-nature business development team s activities in Q2/2017 I-nature is an innovative sustainable closed-loop zero-waste agriculture model with technical and human resources supported by CCS. In the second quarter of 2017, i-nature officially commenced the construction of the Critket s Land in Trung Chau Commune, Dan Phuong District, Hanoi. The Business team of i-nature is adding new staff to expand the market. The team now divides into two smaller teams, Sales and Marketing. The Business team began conducting market research activities and featured the 30 Day of Organic Product trial. The number of submissions is very large, there are nearly 60 applicants and access through online and offline channels. In addition, the group also began building customer contracts and sales & customer care policies. By June 2017, the Business Group approached a number of B2B customer groups and began planning production for the following months at the Dan Phuong & Ba Vi farm chain. At the end of June, 2017, Critket s Land farm in Dan Phuong have started to put its products into trial consumption and quality assessment to prepare for mass production in Q3/2017. The Business team began conducting market research activities and featured the 30 Day of Organic Product trial. 30 Day of Organic Product trial event organized by i-nature CCS Quarterly Activities Summary 13