Evaluating impacts of distributed solar home systems in rural communities: Lessons learnt from Ghana Energy Development and Access Project in the Upper West Region of Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
John-Baptist S. N. Naah
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Financial Model ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Access Project ◽  
Energy Preference ◽  
Home Systems

This article made a modest impact assessment of isolated solar home systems (SHSs) installed via recently ended five-yearflagship Ghana Energy Development and Access Project (GEDAP) on the livelihoods of rural households in the Upper WestRegion. A total of 250 solar users in both private households and rural clinics in 65 rural communities across 6 districts wereinterviewed. Lessons learned in the aspects of energy services provision, financial model, local energy preference and practicalsetbacks facing installed SHSs through GEDAP are discussed. For instance, in terms of energy preference, majority of rural solarusers (50%) preferred grid-tied electricity, although they were not connected to the grid yet as compared to 35% who preferredboth grid-tied and off-grid forms of electrification while 15% preferred off-grid solar technology. This then suggests that althoughoff-grid SHSs are a viable alternative energy generation option, they may not necessarily be a panacea for the energy povertysituation in rural Ghana due to setbacks. For off-grid solar electrification to achieve parity with conventional energy sources, acombination of increased system capacity, investment and political will is needed to make SHSs more competitive and deliversustained quality energy services for deprived rural communities where such place-based energy services are needed most forsustainable rural development.

Personalizing HIV Therapeutics in Resource-Limited Rural Communities: Lessons Learned From the Use of New Tools in Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Calcagno ◽  
Mohammed Lamorde ◽  
Antonio D'Avolio ◽  
Stefano Bonora
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Resource Limited

scholarly journals Conceptualization and Realization of a National Trail in a Small Island-Nation: The Commonwealth of Dominica’s Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-94
Author(s):  
Colmore S. Christian
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Socioeconomic Benefits

The island-nation of Dominica, 790 km2 in area, is located approximately 1126.5 km Southeast of Florida, USA. In the mid-1990s, Dominica embarked on developing the 183.5 km Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT), the first and only national trail model in the Eastern Caribbean. The 14-segment WNT, officially opened in May 2013, passes through some of the island’s most diverse landscapes. WNT was designed to link as many rural communities as possible and promote ecotourism and community socioeconomic development. Rehabilitation work continues on the WNT and the rest of Dominica, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria of 2017. This article, based primarily on a limited questionnaire survey, selected interviews, and literature review, explored the research question ‘What were the challenges faced by a small-island nation in the development of a National Trail? Five specific research objectives focused on the conceptualization, implementation challenges, partnerships fostered, national and sub-regional significance, and future outlook of the Trail were considered. Questionnaire respondents identified the island’s topography and negotiations with private landowners as significant trail construction challenges. A 100% of survey respondents anticipate that reliable funding to support timely maintenance would likely be a critical future issue. Some respondents identified marketing, public engagement, and visitor safety as potential issues. Face-to-face interviews found strong support for the WNT. The interviewees were confident that Dominica would realize sustainable socioeconomic benefits from the Trail. The article concludes with lessons learned and proposes strategies and research themes to ensure the Trail’s sustainability.

Renewable Energy Development – Challenges for Bangladesh

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Tarik-ul-Islam ◽  
Sara Ferdousi
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Renewable Energy Development

In Bangladesh, annual per capita energy consumption is approximately 200 KgOE3, which is among the lowest in the world. Presently, 70% of the population does not have access to electricity in Bangladesh (GoB, 2004). The average system loss is 20.97% (GoB, 2006). The demand for power is estimated to increase 300 MW annually (GoB, 1996a). In contrast, concerns have been raised about the conventional energy production from fossil fuels that significantly contributes to environmental degradation at the local, regional and global levels. This situation calls for adoption of sustainable energy strategies that permeate every level of the economy and can provide rural dwellers with the services that they want and need. With this backdrop, Bangladesh has been experiencing a gradual shift towards exploring renewable energy resources as a means to fuel rural development in the off-grid areas. The country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), with its mandate for sustainable rural development has embarked on a program for demonstration and transfer of renewable energy technologies in the off-grid rural areas. The project “Sustainable Rural Energy (SRE)‘ has been conceived within the overall framework of ‘Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP)’ with financial support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project has already completed a number of renewable energy installations demonstrating diversified community applications of these technologies for livelihood and socio-economic improvement of the people living in the remote off-grid villages. The lessons learned from these demonstration plants reveal that, with careful forward planning, renewable energy can provide far-reaching economic and social benefits to people living in remote rural areas in Bangladesh. The private sectors and NGOs (Non-government organizations) have started to take part in the process of renewable energy development with great promise and enthusiasm. However, the process encounters policy, institutional and technological barriers, which are critical for continued development in this sector.

scholarly journals The system of indicators for alternative energy development in the context of the green economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1/2/3) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Yuri Yevdokimov ◽  
Oleksiy Pasyevin ◽  
Iryna Dehtyarova ◽  
Oleksandr Derykolenko ◽  
Victoria Bozhkova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Green Economy

scholarly journals Material flows analysis of plastic in Thailand

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (6 Part A) ◽  
pp. 2379-2388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chira Bureecam ◽  
Taweep Chaisomphob ◽  
Praj-Ya Sungsomboon
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Plastic Material ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Master Plan

A study of the plastics materials flow analysis in Thailand was aim to show the flow of plastic materials through production, consumption, and waste management based on the year 2013 and projection to the year 2020. This paper finds the plastic waste generation increasing steadily in line with population growth and increasing consumption. In addition, the simulation under waste management three scenarios includes the following: the business as usual, increasing recycled rate set on the National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016-2021) and increasing in rate of energy recovery by the Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015-2036. The plastic material flow analysis has shown that the implementation of the National Solid Waste Management Master Plan (2016-2021) or the Alternative Energy Development Plan 2015-2036 can reduce uncollected waste and improper waste disposal. Moreover, there is benefit by adding value from recycled materials and energy recovery.

scholarly journals Experience with Online Delivery of an Engineering Technical Elective Course

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim Wallace ◽  
Harpreet Dhariwal
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Online Delivery ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Elective Course ◽  
On Line ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time

MIE 515, Alternative Energy Systems, an engineering technical elective course open to senior undergraduates and graduate students, was delivered as an on line course for Fall 2011. This is the first time an undergraduate engineering course at the University of Toronto has been offered online. The course is also one of five pilot online courses across the University. The move online is being accomplished in two steps. For Fall 2011, a small lecture section of 25 students was used as a setting for video capture and the remaining 110 students accessed the course lectures online asynchronously. A live tutorial was offered once a week. All students were physically present for the midterm examination and the final examination. For Fall 2012, the course will be delivered entirely online, with the exception of student physical presence for the two examinations. Pedagogical and technical lessons learned during this transition year will be presented. The benefits and drawbacks of online delivery will be discussed from the perspective gained this year and compared with our expectations. Student feedback will also be presented and discussed.

Diffusion of Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Communities

2013 ◽  
pp. 253-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inna Platonova
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Practical Action ◽  
Renewable Energy Technologies ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Local Actors

Worldwide, over 1.3 billion people lack access to energy. Lack of electricity undermines the provision of basic social services, including education and health, and impedes development of income generating opportunities. Renewable energy technologies provide a viable option to rural electrification and are increasingly recognized for their contribution to rural development, energy security, and climate change mitigation. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs), working in partnerships with local actors, play an important role in the diffusion of renewable energy technologies in developing countries. Based on the exploratory case study of the international NGO Practical Action, this chapter explores the nature and effectiveness of development partnerships for the provision of sustainable energy services in remote off-grid rural communities in Cajamarca, Peru. It emphasizes the importance of building effective partnerships with communities and local government; facilitating community participation and ownership; building capacities for sustainable provision of energy services; and providing affordable and appropriate technological solutions that meet people’s needs.

Energy Sustainability of Countries

2015 ◽  
pp. 96-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Grigoroudis ◽  
Vassilis S. Kouikoglou ◽  
Yannis A. Phillis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Energy Sustainability ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Environmental Requirements ◽  
The One ◽  
Energy Challenge

The provision of adequate, reliable, and affordable energy, in conformity with social and environmental requirements is a vital part of sustainable development. Currently, countries are facing a two-fold energy challenge: on the one hand they should assure the provision of environmentally sustainable energy, while, on the other, energy services should be reliable, affordable, and socially acceptable. To evaluate such aspects of energy services one needs energy sustainability barometers, which provide the means to monitor the impacts of energy policies and assist policymakers in relevant decision making. Although sustainability is an ambiguous, complex, and polymorphous concept, all energy sustainability barometers incorporate the three major sustainability dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. In this chapter, we review three models for assessing the sustainability of energy development of countries: ESI, SAFE, and EAPI. We also present a brief discussion of the results, the applied methodologies, and the underlying assumptions of these sustainability barometers.

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