The way to the creation of the Energy-Autonomous Biodiesel Unit, called "Daedalous"

Modern energy provision is central for achieving significant development rates in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Without secure supply of energy in those areas, it is certain that improved living standards as well as enhanced economic growth cannot be obtained. Moreover, the use of renewable energy sources is crucial for Mitigation of global warming.

For this purpose, a students' cooperation was established and concluded to the creation of Greek-Cameroonian Mondialogo Team in the framework of Mondialogo Engineering Award, a worldwide engineering contest supported by Daimler A.G. and UNESCO. The theme of our project was “Biodiesel and Power Biomass Valorization of Palm oil in rural areas: Case study of Mango´s village, Central province, Cameroon”. This project idea was distinguished with an Honorable Mention from the Mondialogo Jury and was recognized as one of the most promising for its future.

The lack of conventional energy sources in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, not only affects their economic and social developement but also, hinders the production of biodiesel. Thus, the idea for the creation of an energy-autonomous biodiesel unit was conceived. To implement this concept, the Unistep Team from the Technical University of Crete, Greece has been formed from the Greek members of the Greek-Cameroonian Mondialogo Team and "Daedalous" created in the framework of Unisteplus program, organized and sponsored by "Crete’s Regional Pole for Innovation".

The "Daedalous" therefore serves as the prototype of the biodiesel plant that would be installed in Mango'o and other isolated communities of subsaharan Africa.