Chisale, who earns a living by selling odds and ends such as toothbrushes and insecticides, has entered his invention for exhibition at a busy site in the central business development area. He failed to exhibit the machine at the 2012 Mashonaland East Province Agriculture Show held over the weekend, as he could not raise the required $60 exhibitors’ fee.
“The motive behind the invention was in response to the ever worsening power shortages. The idea came to me one day in 2008 as I wondered how a household ventilation fan operated. I was convinced the same machine mechanism could be developed to manufacture a direct system power generator. I tampered with the fan motor system and realised that if further developed, my dream would be realised. This is how it all started,” said the inventor.
He went on to collect scrap metal from dumping sites around Chinhoyi. As a skilled mechanical engineer, he was able to do the welding and assembly on his own.
“People who saw me starting on the project did not expect any success out of the venture. I proved them wrong as I took the product to the Harare Exhibition Show in 2008. Though I unfortunately arrived late for the show, at least I received a $200 consolation prize”.
“The machine was a four-gear system then. After relocating to Marondera, I upgraded the machine to six gears, capable of producing enough energy to power a radio, television, refrigerator and stove. The generator uses both direct and alternative power systems”.
“The direct facility only needs wind energy to propel the turbines, while the motor alternator system uses power generated and stored while the turbines were turned by wind, to provide energy to connected electrical gadgets,” said Chisale.
Chisale is dreaming big. He said should his application for a $5,000 projects loan get approved at a local bank, he would use part of the funds to secure a convenient workshop, buy machine components and help employ idle school leavers.
“As the project grows, my desire is to provide the town with reliable and uninterrupted energy. Resources permitting, I would also meet the needs of the rural and commercial sectors in this regard. I hope the government and other stakeholders would develop interest in the project and chip in with necessary funding in the national interest. Officials from Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment have since visited the project and showed interest.”
Residents here continued to visit the project for operational demonstrations and called on government to help develop the ‘indigenous’ idea.
Post published in: News