RADFORD – RU senior geography major Seth Younger used his Global Positioning System (GPS) and geographical technology expertise to help a small town in central Ecuador to develop plans to create power from a stream.

Younger and his faculty mentor Bernd Kuennecke traveled to the South American country to research land use and the possibility of hydroelectric power for the town of Salinas. The trip, mostly funded by an RU Summer Research Grant, offered Younger an opportunity to experience the Ecuadorian culture while applying his knowledge and skills to improve lives.

“Salinas is a small town at 11,500 feet elevation and its electricity goes out a lot,” says Younger. To help solve this problem, the town wanted to install a hydroelectric turbine and use the local stream to create a more stable energy source. Community members wanted to know how much power they can produce with the turbine and how much it would cost.

By using RU’s hydrologic equipment and GPS equipment, Younger and Kuennecke measured the stream’s water flow and elevation of the top and bottom of the waterway. The pair carried the 15 pounds of equipment approximately nine miles a day up and down the Ecuadorian hills.

At the end of the two weeks, Younger and Kuennecke presented their research findings to Salinas’ community group called the Salineros. “I think that the people wanted to do this project for a while but didn’t know how to do it. But after we showed them our findings, they realized it’s not as hard as they thought it would be,” says Younger.

(IN THE PHOTO: Seth Younger takes measurements at a stream in Ecuador.)

The town is also looking into the possibility of sharing their hydroelectric power with neighboring communities. “We’re hoping that we can go back and conduct more research to develop this idea,” adds Younger.

In addition to the team’s hydroelectric research, they also looked at land use in and around Salinas.

“Salinas is a model community for central Ecuador,” says Kuennecke. “It uses its land very well and is quite productive. For instance, the people have incorporated anti-erosion techniques that aren’t seen in other areas,” adds Kuennecke. This land use research findings will continue to be analyzed throughout the next year.

“We teach students skills that are applicable, rather than just theory that they learn from textbooks. Here they get theoretical and practical applications. I think that’s a unique opportunity for undergraduate students at RU,” says Kuennecke.

Kuennecke hopes to return to Salinas with more undergraduate students to further this hydrologic and land use research. “I do plan to go back, after I learn a little bit more Spanish,” adds Kuennecke. This fall, the professor will become a student. He’s enrolled in Beginning Spanish II.