Opportunities and Challenges in Renewable Energy in Nicaragua
On March 11, Vince Romanin shared his study abroad experience working for a renewable energy non- profit group in Nicaragua, Grupo Fenix. Vince spoke to the UC Davis’ Emerging Venture Analysts (EVAs) and staff from the EEC about the opportunities and challenges of work service abroad. Vince is currently a graduate student in engineering at UC Berkeley where he is working on his Ph.D. Last summer, while an undergraduate at the University of Dayton, Ohio, Vince participated in a 10 week service abroad program organized by the University of Dayton under their ETHOS program, which annually sends undergraduate engineers to developing countries throughout the globe. In Nicaragua, Vince worked closely with Grupo Fenix, a renewable energy group affiliated with the National Engineering University in Managua, Nicaragua. The group’s mission is to help rural communities become aware of sustainable lifestyles through technical and cultural exchanges as well as to promote sustainable research and renewable energy. Grupo Fenix continues to emphasize the importance student’s can play in designing and engineering technologies for the future.
While in Nicaragua, Vince worked on various engineering aspects of
installing solar panels for Grupo Fenix’s for-profit business, Suni
Solar.
Other University of Dayton students involved with the program helped
local communities engage in the process of making solar panels and
ovens. It is one thing to create sustainable energy for a community,
but Vince cited that it was a completely different challenge getting
the community to accept the new technology and integrate it into their
daily lives. Compared to the traditional wood and gas ovens, solar
ovens are different in temperature and traditional recipes and foods
have to be altered in order for the solar ovens to work. The language
and cultural barriers were difficult at time, but Vince recognized that
that although it was the most challenging it was also one of the most
rewarding experiences. The experience in Nicaragua left Vince with a
better understanding of how engineers and renewable technologies can
affect not 
only our electric bills, but entire communities.
More information about Grupo Fenix
Because of the large deforestation problem in Nicaragua and adverse health effects from indoor air quality from wood burning ovens, Grupo Fenix has attempted to engage local, rural communities on developing renewable energy technologies and strategies for providing light and alternative means of cooking. Grupo Fenix’s mission is to help communities better understand the benefits of renewable energy and to work towards accepting these new technologies in their daily lives. Over the years, Grupo Fenix found that installation of solar panels as well as use of solar ovens could be cost efficient as well as eco-friendly.