Small-Scale Sustainable Off-Grid Food-Energy-Water System

The central goal of this project is to empower Indigenous communities with FEW security through the development and implementation of water treatment systems and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) greenhouse units integrated with resilient photovoltaic (PV) systems.

River

Objectives:

  • Conduct community surveys to learn about food, energy, and water needs, agricultural, water, and energy practices, and perceptions toward FEW systems from community partners;
  • Co-design and co-install small-scale fit-for-use demonstration FEW systems; and
  • Develop training components and curricula with Navajo partners under a “train-the-trainer” model that aims to support Indigenous student STEM learning and success.

Charter Summary:

This project charter aims to provide water access, food security, and energy independence to Native American communities in the San Juan River Watershed through the implementation of small-scale food, energy, and water (FEW) systems. The project will involve training community members and students in the science and engineering of solar nanofiltration and greenhouse design, as well as renewable energy 18 generation. The outcomes include co-designed water purification systems and a PV-integrated greenhouse, the development of a greenhouse systems operations manual, and a cost-cycle analysis of the system. The project will also develop curricula and conduct outreach to educate the next generation indigenous workforce and promote STEM research. The project aims to counter the environmental injustices that Navajo communities have faced and to center environmental justice by involving and training Indigenous partners and students. 

Primary Contact:

    Team Members:

    Graduate & PhD Students:

    • Taylor Arp (UA)
    • Kyle Boyer (UA)
    • Lynn Carroll (UA)
    • Brandon Francis (NMSU)
    • Rokeya Jahan Mukti (UA)
    • Hua Jiang (UA)
    • Emiliano McLane (NMSU)
    • Nikki Tulley (UA)

    Undergraduate Students:

    Funded by the UA College of Engineering’s REAL Work Program

    • Chaz Alvarez (UA)
    • Victor Inzunza (UA)
    • Jose Navarrete (UA)

      Former Students:

      • Calder Bethke (UA)
      • Jaymus Lee (UA)
      • Wilzave Quiles-Guzman (UA)
      • Lauren Vasquez (UA)
      • Francis Wilberg (UA)
      • Chris Yazzie (UA)

        Staff:

        • Torran Anderson (UA)
        • Hunter Gudenkauf (UA)
        • Ruth Pannill (UA)

          Community Partners: