Firewood stove debuts

 PNG Biomass Oil Search Ltd has funded a tree-farming project in Markham Valley, Morobe and introduced Biolite home stove to the tree farmers.  

During the awareness and demonstration of the Biolite stove, Michael Henson, general manager for PNG Biomass, stressed on the efficiency and importance of Biolite home stove use. 

Present at the awareness was Francis Kabano, the community affairs manager for Oil Search Ltd, and Arley Smude from New York, who represents the Biolite Stove Company.  

Arley demonstrated the use and efficiency of the stove.

The stove is a fossil-fuelled cooking utensil that uses wood to convert heat energy into electrical energy using a thermal electric generator which powers a fan and sends electricity to a USB charging port. 

The internal fan forces air back into the burn chamber, which improves combustion and creating a cleaner, more efficient burn. 

The heat from the firewood is used for cooking food at the same time produce electricity for charging mobile phones and other electrical devices.

According to Arley Smude, the frame of Biolite stove is made of cast iron,  is durable and it can last more than  five years.  

The stove is portable, lights up quickly, cooks and saves the turnaround time for collecting firewood and also saves money on fuel.  The stoves suits environments such as Markham Valley where there is firewood shortage as it provides good combustion with controlled flame during burning.

It also provides clean smoke.

Priscilla Nael of Tararan, who attended the training at Bampu village in Markham Valley, praised PNG Biomass for introducing Biolite into the community.