Date Announced: 06 Jan 2009 You’ve never seen a child’s smile so bright. A volunteer team of engineers from our WorleyParsons Calgary Infrastructure business unit have just returned from two weeks in China where they installed a solar powered lighting system at an Orphanage for the Light Up the World foundation (LUTW). LUTW is a Calgary based not-for-profit organization that works to utilize renewable energy and solid-state lighting technologies to bring low-cost, safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly light to those who do not have access to power. Using new, state-of-the-art, light emitting diode (LED) technology, the team was able to illuminate over 45 rooms and, more importantly, the lives of over 100 underprivileged children.The orphanage is located at 15,000 ft above sea level, in a remote and harsh environment on the Tibetan plateau. The drive from the nearest airport (Xining) took 16 hours over two days. The scenery along the drive was desolate and spectacular—vast grasslands, steep valleys, enormous mountain ranges, and clear mountain lakes characterized the landscape.The project was supported by a team of seven engineers over a 3 month timeframe. Albeit a small project, the logistical, communication and financial complications made the execution of this project extremely challenging. The total project budget was approximately $45,000 CAD; this included $6,000 CAD that was raised by the project team through office fundraising and a matching donation from WorleyParsons Calgary.The project involved the design, procurement and installation of 4 solar systems to provide a sustainable source of lighting for a children's orphanage in the Autonomous Region of Tibet. Over 250 LED lights were installed, illuminating dark classrooms, corridors, kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms.The solar panels and batteries for this project were shipped to the orphanage prior to the team’s arrival. All additional equipment including tools and electrical wire was purchased in the busy Xining street markets. Management of the equipment purchases, available finance, and schedule was essential to ensure that there were no delays that resulted from missing equipment. The team only had 7 days at the orphanage, and knew that the scope of installing lights in six buildings was going to be a challenge, particularly as every small exertion was taxing at the high altitude. In our fast-paced world, we seldom take the chance to reflect on how each of us makes a difference in our roles at work. Much of our work is a piece of a puzzle that comes together to build a large picture. This project is a reminder of the impact we can and do make. The team will never forget this experience: the journey, the people, the food, the bathrooms, the simplicity of life. This was a tremendous challenge, an inspiring opportunity, and a testament to the hard work of our young people who are willing to give their own time to support great causes. Above all they will not forget the smiles and cheer of the children that brought life to each and every light that was installed. The project was a tremendous success for LUTW. The dedicated efforts of our staff have produced a reliable infrastructure that will give the teachers and children the light necessary for reading and learning in the cold winter months ahead. Our hope is that our detailed execution plan, design basis, and construction plan can act as a template for other projects LUTW executes in the future.WorleyParsons CalgaryWorleyParsons is a leading provider of professional services to the energy, resource, and complex process industries with a reputation of a dynamic company, whose success has resulted from outstanding project delivery for customers around the world. In doing so, we work through all five phases of an asset’s life cycle, customizing our services for each customer sector. Outstanding operational & corporate performance includes, as its primary item, outstanding Health, Safety, and Environmental performance. WorleyParsons targets Zero Harm, a culture inherent in all levels of the organization driven through the implementation of systems, processes, and training programs.Light Up the World FoundationLUTW is the first humanitarian organization to utilize renewable energy and solid-state lighting technologies to bring affordable, safe, healthy, efficient, and environmentally responsible illumination to people who do not have access to power for adequate lighting. Through generous support from interested individuals, corporations, host country organizations, international foundations and industrial partners, LUTW has lit up more than 4,000 homes in 42 different countries throughout the developing world from Afghanistan to Zambia.
Contact
Stuart Torr WorleyParsons Calgary Infrastructure 4500 16th Ave NW, Calgary T3B OM6 Tel: (403) 247 0200 Fax (403) 247 4811
E-mail:[email protected]
Web Site:www.lutw.org
