Developed by:
Y.A.Maof
Where did the project idea come from?
Y.A. Maof learned about the crisis of the sargassum (marine algae) invasion to the Caribbean sea, and the company’s professional team developed the comprehensive solution that targets the problem together with upgrading the treatment of solid waste in the target country, improving the environmental situation while generating jobs to the local people.
Why did you select that specific target country?
Tourism in the Dominican Republic (DR) is one of the main economic sectors and therefore the invasion of the algae causes big losses to the industry, besides the general damage to the environment. Therefore there is a great need to mitigate the problem. Furthermore- Y.A. Maof is planning to replicate the project to other locations in the region, once the first facility is successfully operates.
Who are your partners in the target country?
The first partner in the DR is UNAPEC- a university in Santo Domingo. anoother partner is the company AlgeaNova, which specalize in collecting algae from the sea. One more company is EcoServices which collects waste from hotels in theregion of Punta Cana, where the facility is going to be built.
What is your long term vision for your company working in your chosen partner country?
Our vision is to complete the first phase of 1 mw electricity and 1 mw heat, and then replicate it in other regions in the DR. In the same time, we explore possibilities of similar projects in other countries in the Caribbean basin. Fo example- we learned the in Costa Rica there is another problem that can be treated with our technology- the residual waste of the pineapple farming that attracts the “stable fly” that is harming the cattle there. Our treatment might be a good solution- collecting the waste and generate electricity from it.
What impact do you believe INNOWWIDE will have on your company?
Innowwide enable us to make the first steps in the planning of the project.
Can you offer any advice or guidance to others looking to apply for INNOWWIDE grants?
If you have a genuine advanced technology on one hand, and a need on a target country, Innowwide is a good tool to assist you to bring your dream to reality.