What We Do

Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, in March 2015, is regarded as one of the worst natural disasters ever in Vanuatu and Tanna Island, in the province of Tafea, was particularly hard hit.

​ Medical and communication services, already much less available in remote villages, are increasingly scarce and challenging in and following a natural disaster. Injured people and imminent mothers cannot easily reach support services if and when needed and even if support workers are available, darkness can prevent them from being as useful as they could be. Our project addresses both basic communications and basic lighting needs for dispensaries in remote villages without electricity. ​

SPREE students have been active on Tanna Island since 2007/08 a group of second-year students visited to install roof gutters, rainwater tanks and solar lighting at the school on the village of Louen, in the hills above the main town of Louen. ​ Since then, more SPREE students have been to Tanna to provide help and turn their theoretical knowledge into practice.In the future, more aid posts and schools will gain support from SPREE students.

​Mount Yasur

Tanna is one of the most fertile islands in Vanuatu with various plants including kava, coconut, copra and coffee. However, the isolated environment combined with occasional natural disasters restricts to a backward economy. The shortage of energy could be an obstacle for its production, whereas, with the development of renewable energy, this problem can be alleviated by advanced technology. ​ The first consideration could be solar energy. Moreover, Mount Yasur is known as the gentlest active volcano, which could provide another reliable geothermal energy supply for the local community. This project focuses on the utilization of geothermal energy and solar energy in crop drying system, as well as the economic potential of local crops. Group S2 2018 hope to raise the income level of local residents and improve their living environment.

Imayo

Solar lighting system at Imayo Aid post is a stand-alone system designed by Ruizhi Chen, and installed by the UNSW team in January 2018. The aim is to deliver night lighting for the Aid Post in Imayo. Lights, solar panels, two phone chargers, a charger control and a battery are installed in the site. ​ Thanks to the battery storage, the system is able to light up the medical facility at night, where lighting was otherwise. We hope this system will help local people get through their hard times and enjoy better medical treatment. And, we fully appreciate the Imayo local community and our beloved friend ‘’Ja

Exploring Tanna

Over the course of our two weeks on Tanna, we travelled around the island to determine suitable locations for future PV systems, and also stopped by previously installed systems to inspect them. With our trusty SunEye in hand, we travelled by truck and by foot across the island’s windy coastlines and verdant rainforests, living on a healthy diet of biscuits and taro.

Kwaraka

Team (S1 2017) installed solar lighting and phone charging at Kwaraka, on the beautiful south coast of Tanna. ​ Our experience ranged from the mounting of the PV module to the connection of electrical cables, we worked hard to ensure our system was built to standard so that it could reliably provide power when needed, according to the Australian Standard. Additionally, the locals at Kwaraka were extremely hospitable, cooking sumptuous meals for us and allowing us to sleep in their homes. We hope that our system will stand the test of time and continue to serve the people of Kwaraka.

Lamlu

The goal of improving the Stand-alone PV system in the dispensary of Lamlu was successfully achieved in 19th January, 2017. The SAPS has been upgraded from 86W to 236W. The upgraded system has been proved to be more cost-efficient than the previous system, when comparing their energy price. The upgradation of the system has improved the working conditions, benefiting the patients and medical staffs. Thanks to assisstance of UNSW, the team members and the hospitable local people, the trip to Vanuatu was extremely impressive.

Lawiaru

In the village of Lawiaru by the UNSW group of S2 2016. This project aims to provide appropriate and reliable electricity services to the dispensary and school in the village. ​ We appreciate local people’s hospitality and kindness, and take pleasure in seeing the delight of their hearts. We wish our work could help them to improve local health services, education and living standards.