Sustainability|Technology and inovation
Inaugurated two years ago, the photovoltaic plant generated savings of 95% in the Instituto Ramacrisna’s energy bill. The resources of this economy are used to serve the community.
Ramacrisna’s photovoltaic plant, inaugurated in July 2020, already represents a savings of 95% in the Institute’s energy bill. In addition to contributing to the preservation of the environment, since it is a source of clean and renewable energy, the structure allows more resources to be invested in the maintenance of projects for the community.
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The project was funded by the Rotary Foundation Global Grant from Rotary International (coordinated by the Rotary Club of Belo Horizonte – Liberdade and supported by the Rotarys of Contagem, Montes Claros-Norte, BH Pampulha, and the Canadian clubs Calgary West and Calgary Olympic). In all, the institution donated $40,000.00 which, added to the volunteer work, totaled $88,000.00 s.
The plant has a capacity of 60 kW peak, which means savings of 95% in the electricity bill. Before the structure was installed, the average monthly bill amount was BRL 5,500.
The total savings per year is around BRL 60 thousand. The amount is necessary to pay for the care of 400 children and young people or 6,600 meals throughout the year.
In addition, the contribution plant to which Ramacris UN energy aligns with the Development of Nations (Units) number 7, clean, silent, alternative, renewable and affordable. The plant uses sunlight to generate electricity, and is therefore clean and renewable, in addition to having a low cost.
In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, the installation of the plant allowed Ramacrisna to create a new module in the installation electrician course, which became known as electrician/photovoltaic. In this way, the students got ahead and took classes on assembly, maintenance and installation of photovoltaic panels.
Last year, Ramacrisna inaugurated a second photovoltaic power plant at Associação Educativa e Cultural de Igarapé (ASSECIG), a partner of the Institute. The plant has the capacity to generate up to 1905 kW/h. The construction was made possible by the Ampliando Fronteiras II project, carried out by Instituto Ramacrisna with resources from BrazilFoundation. The project also has the support of the Igarapé City Hall and the Rotary Club Belo Horizonte Liberdade.
The photovoltaic plant will reduce ASSECIG’s cost of energy consumption by up to BRL 2,000, also allowing for the expansion of social actions through the reallocation of resources that were previously used to cover these expenses. The energy generated by the photovoltaic panels will be connected to the local utility and the estimated duration of the photovoltaic plant is twenty-five years.
In addition to the photovoltaic plant, Ramacrisna promotes discussions about the environment for children and teenagers who are students of the projects. The Institute also carries out other environmental activities, such as:
– oil recycling: all the oil used in the Automobile Mechanics School and in the Fabric Factory is sent to a partner company, which carries out the treatment and improvement of the material;
– energy efficiency: carried out in partnership with Cemig, it replaced motors, light bulbs and wires for more efficient performance. All the Institution’s lamps are LED.;
– composting: started in 2014, the composting work reuses organic kitchen waste, in addition to dry leaves and grass clippings. The material is left to mature for 4 months, when the compost is then removed and left for another month to enjoy. The process is separated by wooden playpens and plaques with dates. When the compost is transformed into organic fertilizer, it is used in the gardens of Ramacrisna;
– solar water heating: with vacuum tubes, hot water promotes the hygiene of all material used in the kitchen and food more economically, in addition to heating the buffet and showers.
The Ramacrisna Institute has been carrying out professional education, learning, educational support, leisure, culture and sport projects for children, adolescents and adults in social vulnerability in 13 cities in the metropolitan region for 60 years. In all, almost 2 million people had their lives transformed by at least one of the projects.
Since its creation, the Institute has invested in actions related to sustainability, social and governance (ESG). This is the case of the construction of the photovoltaic plant and the investment in transparency, training for competence in employee management, in partnership with Fundação Dom Cabral and offering professional courses, pedagogical support and other projects for the community, for example
If you are interested in implementing ESG-based best practices in your company, count on us. Ramacrisna offers companies solutions in management, administration and execution of different types of exclusive and customized social projects to meet the needs of the company.
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