scholarly journals Sustainability of Renewable Off-Grid Technology for Rural Electrification: A Comparative Study Using the IAD Framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heksi Lestari ◽  
Maarten Arentsen ◽  
Hans Bressers ◽  
Budhi Gunawan ◽  
Johan Iskandar ◽  
...  

This paper analyses the implementation of renewable off-grid technologies in rural areas, especially where an extension to the national electricity grid was not considered economically feasible. Implementation of remote, stand-alone, electricity technologies as alternatives to a grid connection to provide sustainable electricity access have often failed with many planned projects not realised or abandoned. Our initial assumption was that stand-alone electricity project exhibiting higher scores on sustainability indicators would benefit communities more and make their endurance more likely. However, the impact of the stand-alone technology was often overruled or its quality weakened by government preferences wishing to realise a connection to the central electricity grid. Empirically, the study compares three cases of stand-alone micro-hydropower projects and three cases of stand-alone solar photovoltaic projects in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. It is based on qualitative document analysis, complemented by multiple rounds of semi-structured interviews and observations. The paper assesses the extent to which each project met indicators of technical, economic, social, environmental, and institutional sustainability. The paper tries to explain the endurance of the project from these sustainability scores and uses additional explanations from Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework. The findings show that, for the studied local communities, the attractiveness of a grid connection overrules the virtues of a stand-alone electricity project, despite its quality, successful operation and impact. Our research also shows that government policy priorities changed in the rural electrification programme for some communities. In these situations, the off-grid rural electrification programme predominantly provided only temporary access to sustainable electricity for remote local communities that remained waiting and hoping for a grid connection to connect them to fossil fuel-dominated electricity.

Urban Studies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (15) ◽  
pp. 3162-3177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinelopi Vergou

Global challenges and recent changes in conflict areas in the Middle East, Asia and Africa are reasons for the contemporary forced migration into European countries, which have become places of destination or transit posts for a great number of refugees. Cities have become the focus of the socio-spatial debate, as the main units for receiving refugees, either in state camps or in social housing in city centres. In this article, the focus is on the social-spatial configuration of refugee accommodation in local communities and the way these formations generate urban and school segregation. We argue that the placement of urban refugees in large, camp-like structures with low housing standards, mainly in areas outside cities or in rural areas, provides ground not only for social exclusion and ‘territorial stigmatisation’ but also for de facto school segregation. Furthermore, the attempts to house refugees in small cities, through United Nations and NGO-supplied houses, may also raise concerns about the way dispersal policies are implemented, with the distribution of refugee children in specific schools as a result of territorial social-spatial segregation. In both cases, the school segregation of refugees is connected not only with the implications of immigration and education policies but also with the social practices of local communities and the social-spatial characteristics that determine school education. The empirical material of this study is based on information on the socio-economic profiles of neighbourhoods at the census tract level and on qualitative research, through in-depth semi-structured interviews in two different cities in Greece.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692094760
Author(s):  
Pablo A. Cantero-Garlito ◽  
Juan Antonio Flores-Martos ◽  
Pedro Moruno-Miralles

The general objective of this study is to describe and analyze the meanings that participants gave to the experience related to maternal caregiving activities of children with disabilities in the rural context and their impact on daily life and health. In order to achieve this general objective, the following specific objectives were established: (1) To describe the meanings given to experiences related to caregiving activities of children with disabilities; (2) To analyze the impact on daily life and health that these mothers attribute to those activities; (3) To describe how they experience the support provided by the social and healthcare system in rural areas. An interpretative paradigm was selected, using a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. Twelve mothers were included. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. A discourse analysis of the narrative information was performed using open, axial, and selective coding processes and the constant comparative method.


2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110361
Author(s):  
Mathew Coleman ◽  
Michael Taran ◽  
Beatriz Cuesta-Briand

Objective This study reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lived experiences of people with substance use problems in accessing services in the Southwest region of Western Australia, and its implications for preparedness in a context of rural adversity. Method This was a qualitative study informed by the principles of phenomenology. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to thematic analysis. Results Twenty-two participants were interviewed. Two main themes were identified: disruption to supportive connections; and bridging the connection gap: local service response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions exacerbated social isolation and mental health issues, and disrupted services and treatment in the Southwest. Our results demonstrate that local alcohol and other drug services in rural areas can successfully respond to crises by assertively and flexibly adapting their service provision.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munir Husein ◽  
Hyung-Ju Kim ◽  
Il-Yop Chung

Throughout the developing world, most remote and isolated communities are still without reliable electricity in the twenty-first century, and this is primarily due to the high cost of grid extensions. In communities that do have electricity, they usually rely on diesel generators, though these have high operating and maintenance costs, while also polluting the environment. A more sustainable approach is to deploy microgrids, however, microgrids have a high upfront cost, which is a major obstacle, especially in rural areas of developing countries. This study aims to investigate the parameters that can be influenced to make microgrids more economical for rural electrification. Through sensitivity analyses, five key policy and technology parameters were identified. They include real discount rates, diesel prices, grants, battery chemistry, and operating strategies. The system was then redesigned using scenarios formulated by varying these parameters. Results show that the parameters affect the configuration, levelized cost of energy (LCOE), renewable energy penetration (REP), and pollutant emissions. The study uses three remote communities in the Beni Department of Bolivia as case studies. MDSTool was used as a modeling framework to design the microgrids. The unique insights and lessons learned during the design process are discussed at length because these may be valuable for future microgrid designs for remote communities.


10.1068/c14r ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Taylor

Towards the end of the 20th century Guatemala embarked on an ambitious rural electrification plan: central planners in the Ministry of Energy and Mines hope to connect 90% of homes to the national electricity grid by 2004. Energy for the increased demand comes from floating power plants anchored in Guatemala's Pacific port, a new coal-fired power plant, and numerous small-scale hydroelectric plants. So far, rural electrification, in terms of connected households, has proceeded to plan. However, the success of the rural electrification program belies energy realities and the development needs of rural Guatemala. Data from in-depth interviews and household surveys in Ixcán, Guatemala, show that rural residents prefer other forms of development—like the introduction of potable water, or improved schooling. Electricity, farmers state, only provides rural families with a few hours of light at night because they cannot afford to pay for appliances or for increased consumption of electricity. Fieldwork in rural areas also reveals that the introduction of electricity will not change patterns of firewood consumption; firewood is the basic survival fuel for most rural Guatemalans. Development funds may be better spent on locally run and organized forestry initiatives to ensure reliable sources of firewood for the future.


Author(s):  
Melnychuk A.L.

The impact of decentralization reform on unemployment in territorial communities formed in 2015–2020 as a result of the reform of the administrative-territorial system in Ukraine is considered. Focused on the problem of unemployment in rural areas in the context of the reform of the administrative-territorial system. The peculiarities of strategies for the development of grassroots territorial communities in terms of ensuring the creation of new jobs are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on the efforts to form non-agricultural employment in rural areas of newly created grassroots territorial communities in Ukraine. The peculiarities of community action plans aimed at combating unemployment and migration from the Ukrainian countryside are highlighted. The materials of surveys of territorial communities’ leaders 2019–2021 conducted by the analytical center of the All-Ukrainian Association of Joint Territorial Communities on the formation of policies to combat unemployment are analyzed. The peculiarities of budgetary and financial policy of grassroots territorial communities in Ukraine in the context of their influence on the fight against unemployment in rural areas are revealed. The impact of the COVID-2019 coronavirus pandemic on the economic development of newly formed grassroots territorial communities in Ukraine is reflected. The vision of the leaders of territorial communities on the consequences of the government’s introduction of a set of economic measures to reduce the tax burden on the economy and small and medium-sized businesses, which are related to counteracting the spread of coronavirus COVID-2019, was analyzed. Community leaders have identified an assessment of government measures to reduce the tax burden on the economy and small and medium-sized businesses and local budget losses caused by them, measures that will have the greatest impact on the labor market in local communities at the grassroots level. The ability of territorial communities to keep jobs in the field of medium and small business and the need for external support to local communities to combat corporate bankruptcies and the threat of unemployment have been identified.Key words: unemployment, rural environment, decentralization, territorial communities, development of territorial communities. Розглянуто вплив реформи децентралізації на безробіття у територіальних громадах, утво-рених у 2015–2020 рр. унаслідок реформи адміністративно-територіального устрою в Україні. Акцентовано увагу на проблемі безробіття у сільській місцевості у контексті реформи адміністративно-територіального устрою. Висвітлено особливості стратегій розвитку територіальних громад низового рівня у частині забезпечення створення нових робочих місць. Акцентовано увагу на зусиллях з формування несільськогосподарської зайнятості у сільській місцевості новостворених територіальних громад низового рівня в Україні. Виділено особливості планів дій громад, спрямованих на боротьбу з безробіттям та міграцією з українського села. Проаналізовано матеріали опитувань лідерів територіальних громад 2019–2021 рр., реалізованих аналітичним центром Всеукраїнської Асоціації ОТГ щодо формування політики боротьби із безробіттям. Розкрито особливості бюджетної та фінансової політики територіальних громад низового рівня в Україні у контексті їх впливу на боротьбу з безробіттям у сільській місцевості. Відображено вплив пандемії коронавірусної хвороби COVID-2019 на економічний розвиток новоутворених територіальних громад низового рівня в Україні. Проаналізовано бачення лідерів територіальних громад щодо наслідків запровадження урядом комплексу економічних заходів щодо зниження податкового навантаження на економіку та малий і середній бізнес, які пов’язані із протидією поширенню коронавірусної хвороби COVID-2019. Визначена оцінка лідерами громад урядових заходів щодо зниження податкового навантаження на економіку та малий і середній бізнес та втрат місцевих бюджетів, викликаних ними, заходів, які матимуть найбільший вплив на ринок праці у територіальних громадах низового рівня. Визначена спроможність територіальних громад зберегти робочі місця у сфері середнього та малого бізнесу та потребу у зовнішній підтримці територіальних громад для протидії банкрутствам підприємств та загрози зростання безробіття.Ключові слова: безробіття, сільська місцевість, децентралізація, територіальна громада, роз-виток територіальних громад.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirosław Biczkowski

AbstractThe main aim of this paper is a quantitative and structural comprehensive evaluation of LEADER projects presented in the context of local resources, which determine development opportunities. The issue has been discussed mainly from a geographical and spatial perspective. The impact of the LEADER approach on increasing the mobilisation of local communities and their use of rural resources was evaluated; as a result, this has enabled a bottom-up simulation of the development of local government units. The LEADER approach has substantially contributed to the mobilisation of local resources in rural areas (e.g. growth in the number Local Action Groups (LAGs) from 149 to 338). It was found that the involvement of LAGs had a positive impact on the activity of inhabitants (i.e. an increase in the number of initiatives undertaken, the absorption of European Union (EU) funds). The nature of the implemented projects demonstrates that LEADER combines investment actions with social projects. In general, it has been implemented more successfully in areas where investments are related to genuine needs and local resources.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 2434
Author(s):  
Viviana Re ◽  
Myat Mon Thin ◽  
Chiara Tringali ◽  
Mya Mya ◽  
Enrico Destefanis ◽  
...  

Translating scientific findings into concrete action for (ground)water protection should be fundamental component of any hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical assessment, thus ensuring that scientific outcomes have a positive impact in the real world. To this purpose, understanding the water-related issues and the perceived criticalities by the water users is an asset, especially for earth scientists who are often the first contact with local communities during in situ measurements. By presenting the results of a socio-hydrogeological assessment in the Inle Lake area, this paper aims at demonstrating the feasibility and added value of this approach. In conjunction with groundwater sampling, public engagement activities were conducted by administering semi-structured interviews at a household level in each monitoring site. Hydrogeochemical data show that groundwater is characterized by an elevated hardness and by the presence of trace metals in solution due to the low redox potential. The work provides suggestions on how to translate the hydrogeochemical information associated to (i) the impact of climate change on water supply and availability, and (ii) the presence of geogenic groundwater contamination (Fe, Mn, As) into accessible information for local communities and water users’ associations. Sharing knowledge and promoting capacity building would also help to assess the reasons for the discrepancy between self-reported perception of groundwater quality (e.g., hardness) and analytical results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Fredy Andrés Cruz - Vega ◽  
Luz Eliana Figueroa - Granados

The research makes it possible to recognize the judgments of the users who are enrolled in the zero to always family modality and, in turn, establish the relationship they give to the program in the training of their children. The use of qualitative research for this proposal contributes or it establishes the relationship of describing and giving points of view to problems of the social educational and experiential context, the primary objective was to determine the degree of use by users of the program from zero to always family modality, in the municipality of Pamplona. It can be said that the application of this research contributes in part to diagnosing from a personal point of view the impact generated by the program in the training of minors, evidencing in it the theoretical, political and real positions in order to make them aware of the importance of training of children. The instruments used for families in certain rural areas who are the objects of study were semi-structured interviews; validated by experts from the area, they managed to produce key information for the analysis and triangulation. Thanks to the analysis units and the categories established in the interview, it was possible to focus and provide solutions to the objectives set, demonstrating the perception that the beneficiaries of the program of zero They always have in relation to the operation in rural areas of Pamplona. With the information obtained it is clear to establish the conformity of the operation of the program in terms of the role of care for families, the training of minors and the integration of society is thus how the show is getting on the right tide.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Aguirre

This study examines the indirect impact of rural electrification on education. It finds that the greater the likelihood of a household being connected to the electricity grid, the more time the household’s children are likely to spend studying at home. This finding is interpreted as indirect evidence of an improvement in levels of schooling. Using instrumental variables to overcome endogeneity problems, the study’s LATE estimates reveal that providing households with access to electricity leads to children studying an extra 94 - 137 minutes at home per day, on average.


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