In remote areas of Malawi, access to electricity remains a major challenge—especially for park rangers and nearby communities who rely on the Miondwe Ranger Camp for water and basic services. Rangers at Kasungu National Park and Zambian community members must walk over 10 km to charge devices and access potable water. A student team from Case Western Reserve University is tackling this issue head-on with a solar-powered infrastructure project that supports both conservation and community development.
The team is installing a solar energy system at the Miondwe Ranger Camp, including:
- Solar panels and battery storage for reliable electricity
- Solar-powered water pump to improve access to clean water
- Water purification system using UV and filtration technologies
- Environmental monitoring system with sensors and microcontrollers
- Solar charging station for community use, with a pay-to-charge model to support sustainability
Data from the solar system will be transmitted via amateur radio to a central hub in Lilongwe, enabling remote monitoring and maintenance.
Led by Graham Bierhanzl and Shoma Yukawa, the team includes 15 students from Engineers Without Borders @ Case Western Reserve University and the Humanitarian Design Corps. Kasungu National Park is a committed partner, providing logistical support and pledging long-term maintenance of the system. Team Planet, a local supplier, is assisting with sourcing and installation. Students are gaining hands-on experience in:
- Renewable energy design and installation
- Microcontroller programming and sensor integration
- Project management, stakeholder engagement, and field logistics
EPICS in IEEE Fischer-Mertel Community of Projects granted this team $8,200.00 to complete this project and deploy a prototype in the community.