Harnessing the Amazon

A multi-disciplinary team of Michigan State University scholars has been awarded $3.2 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to deliver renewable energy to off-grid communities in the Amazon using hydropower and photovoltaic cells.

January 11, 2021

This five-year project will deliver transformative advances in science and technology to communities where energy is too expensive or unreliable. These energy solutions could transform the lives of over 650 million people across the globe who are currently saddled with expensive and unsustainable off-the-grid energy options.

The project, led by Emilio F. Moran, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Geography, spans across four MSU colleges—social science, engineering, agriculture and natural resources and communication arts and sciences—with participation of faculty from engineering, journalism, community sustainability and sociology.

Hear more from Professor Emilio F. Moran in this episode of MSU Today with Russ White:

Episode Transcript

By engaging stakeholders from the outset, the project will map the informational ecosystem of off-grid communities and empower local residents with choices about what energy sources could best serve them. The work will focus on communities in the Brazilian Amazon, but it will have broad relevance in the U.S. and across the world.

Learn more: go.msu.edu/nsf-grant