Bari West Manggarai – Ice for fishery

Ice for fishery

In Bari, a village in West Manggarai, fishing plays a central role in the lives of the residents. The fishery is of great importance to the local community, both economically and culturally. Fishing is the main occupation and source of income for the people of Bari and contributes to local economic growth. It also provides food valuable nutrients. The fishing industry in Bari is closely linked to culture and tradition, with the community being strongly connected to their natural environment and dependent on the conservation of fish stocks. However, due to Bari’s geographical location and limited energy and water resources, there are challenges affecting the fishing industry. Especially during the hot months, the lack of ice is a significant obstacle for the people of Bari. The fishermen rely on cooling their freshly caught fish to preserve its quality and make the catch last longer. A sustainable solution is therefore needed to provide ice.

The ice block

Every morning and evening, the local fishermen in Bari rely on ice to cool their catch. Komodo Water produces and distributes the ice with the help of the people of Bari. Every day they produce blocks of ice weighing 10 kilograms. The machine has the capacity to produce 1 ton of ice in 24 hours, which is equivalent to 100 pieces of 10 kg, within 24 hours. Another advantage is that the system works in cycles, so that the cooling and removal of the ice blocks can be carried out seamlessly.

Solar technology for a sustainable solution

The facility in Bari is powered by 58 solar panels. Photovoltaics are used not only to power the ice block machine powered, but also to convert seawater and brackish water into clean drinking water. The resulting water is then used for ice production or directly for consumption. As the ice is produced locally in the community, transport costs and waiting times are reduced. Additionally, the local provision of resources reduces dependence on external ice suppliers, thus empowering the community.

Why use solar energy?

Global demand for energy continues to grow, and  fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are not only finite but also major drivers of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions are having a negative impact on our Earth’s systems; the world’s oceans are warming, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere, and becoming more acidic. This affects marine life and fisheries. In contrast, renewable energies such as solar power, offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to meet the growing demand for energy.. Solar energy produces no direct CO2 emissions when it is generated, making it one of the cleanest sources of energy. The sun is inexhaustible and theoretically unlimited source of energy. The energy supply through solar panels enables decentralized energy production, which is vital for villages like Bari. Technology is advancing rapidly and solar energy is becoming cheaper and more efficient, leading to higher energy yields in less space required. This is where Komodo Water’s project in Bari comes in. By combining solar energy with innovative water treatment systems, Komodo Water provides an autonomous and environmentally friendly drinking water supply. This not only improves the quality of life for the village community but also actively contributes to climate protection by avoiding fossil fuels and conserving natural resources.

Reduce Plastic Use

The produced ice is distributed without plastic packaging. The 10 kg block of ice has a smaller surface area to volume ratio than commercially available ice cubes, which means it melts more slowly cools fish for a longer period without packaging. Plastic is one of the most widely used materials, but it causes significant environmental problems. Between 1 and 2 million tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year, negatively impacting our ecosystems and wildlife.

The example of Bari highlights how essential access to sustainable water solutions are and shows how local access to unpackaged ice plays a crucial role in cooling the fish catches. Solar energy and plastic reduction are two key pillars of sustainable development. While solar energy helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cuts CO2 emissions, plastic reduction helps prevent pollution and protect ecosystems. Both measures complement each other by contributing to long-term climate stabilization and environmental protection. The solution in Bari demonstrates how sustainable technologies and community efforts can enable resilient and sustainable development.

Sources:

Our World in Data. “Plastic Pollution.” (https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution?utm_source=newsletter)

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). “Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation.” (https://www.ipcc.ch/report/renewable-energy-sources-and-climate-change-mitigation/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Frontiers in Marine Science. “Marine Pollution and Its Impact on the Oceans.” (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2016.00062/full#B90)