Sunday, August 11, 2013

WindAid-Peru Summer 2013

This summer I spent three months in Trujillo, Peru building wind turbines each for a different reason. The first turbine (2,500 watts) we worked on with the first group was for the community in Pasto Ruri (a national park in Huraz) where we installed it at 4882 meters(16,017 feet) high. This is the turbine that broke the Guinness World Record! It will be powering 10 different huts.

The second turbine (2,500 watts) we worked on with the second group was for the Valle de Dios community in Chao, closer to sea level. This turbine is the pilot to a wind park in the community. During spare moments we worked on the smaller turbines (500 watts) and hope to install them soon. I enjoyed making each turbine and have decided to continue making more so I am heading back to Peru!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Back in Trujillo, Peru with WindAid

As I sit here and decide to start writing on my blog, finally!, it's only been two weeks. I realize how much I am loving what I am doing and why I am doing it too. I have been helping organize what is going to be the most powerful installation for WindAid history because we will be breaking a Guinness World Record! We are not only showing Peru who we are but the rest of the world too and that makes everyday that I've been here worth it and the rest to come. Along with organizing I've also been making the Wind Turbine that we will be installing, so free time is rare or spent immersing in the culture!

So what exactly is Jessica doing you may ask? Below are some pictures that will show you a little bit of what my life in Peru has been like the last two weeks. For more pictures and project details check out https://www.facebook.com/pages/WindAid/135946827512 if the link doesn't work feel free to go into my Facebook page and click on WindAid.

Dancing night!

UEFA Championship at El Trasgu

Girls posing!


Closing the big mold. 

Fire to make silicone stick well!

Silicon all around to prevent the leaks!

Nick and Gani about to fill the mold with recin. 

The blade is Taller than Jessica, this was some intense work on a Saturday-talk about dedication!

So far the only flags that are up, US-Texas-Peru!

Magnetic disks!

Taking a break from sanding. 

Sanding small turbines. 

Big Blade mold...too heavy for Jessica.

Nick's dad's last night!

If you look close you can see the large turbines from Vestas, we are excited they are coming to Peru!

The wind is so nice, taking in the moment. 

Trying to see if we can get close the turbines...failed, they have security guards.

If you look close you can see the large turbines from Vestas, we are excited they are coming to Peru!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

WindAid Peru - UCV Metro Cuadrado - Wind Generator Aerogeneradores



An extensive interview about WindAid in Trujillo Peru, South America, the volunteer experience, wind generator construction, and design processes.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Donate FLASH LIGHTS!!!

Kids in Playa Blanca do not have access to electricity, when they saw me with my headlamp last year they were thrilled to see the light especially at night! If you have old flash lights , headlamps, or anything similar let me know. I am trying to collect as many as I can to take with me. And lets face it how many of them do you have around collect dust I know I found 3 in my apartment!

You can email me at jessicacrivas@gmail.com... to figure out how to get them from you!





Light up a life and BREAK A WORLD RECORD!

BREAKING A WORLD RECORD!! Check out the video!

...Fund-Raise!!!

Hi guys and gals, 

Most of you guys know that I will be heading back to Peru this summer to put up the highest altitude Wind Turbine in the WORLD!, which will be EXTREMELY exciting but I will also be installing a small turbine for a community on my own. This of course will require a lot of work but I am determined to get it done for the community. 

I need your help spreading the word to many organizations, companies, people you may know that would like to donate for a great cause. I have paid for the flight already just need to cover the cost of the turbine for that particular community. Any help is greatly appreciated by the community and myself!

Attached is a letter I came up with if you know someone that may want to help you can share the letter or my donations page (Wind-Power-For-Communities). You can also email me the information and I can contact the potential sponsor.

Check out some videos:


Thank you all for your time, support, & prayers! 
Hope you are doing well, send me an email I'd like to see what you are up too!

Jessica

LETTER:

March 24, 2013

Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Name:

My name is Jessica Rivas and I am an Electronics Engineering Technology major at Texas A&M University.  This summer I plan to volunteer in Peru on a sustainable energy project.  I would like your financial assistance to help make this project a reality for the communities in Peru and me.

I decided to join WindAid (www.windaid.org) in Peru because it incorporates the two subjects I love the most, helping people and wind energy.  I will participate in the building and installation of a wind turbine over a five week period.  The turbine will provide the recipient community in Playa Blanca with free electricity to power lights, computers or other electrical items to help improve the standard of living, improve teaching conditions and support the start-up and growth of small businesses so that they can be more self-sufficient.  As an engineering major, I will gain the skills to think outside the box to develop creative solutions for solving problems and gather data needed for my senior design project in the Fall.

I'm excited about the opportunity and experience that lie ahead.  As you can imagine, a trip like this requires financial support from a number of people.  As a result, I am reaching out to 30 organizations in the hopes that each one will donate $100 to raise $3,000 by May 10th, 2013.  However, simply donating whatever you wish to donate or sharing this letter with your colleagues will help me achieve my goals in Texas and abroad.  

If you can support me in a financial way, I would be very grateful and so will the community of Playa Blanca in Peru.  Donations may be submitted online at Wind-Power-For-Communities or a check may be made out to Jessica Rivas and mailed to 4989 E. Ridge Creek Drive, Houston, TX 77053.  In exchange for your donation, I would be willing to wear a shirt or hat from your company and post photos on my blog at Jessica's Blog to show how your funds are helping those around the world.

Warm regards,



Jessica Rivas