scholarly journals SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, ENERGY-POVERTY NEXUS AND PUTTING THE LAST FIRST

Author(s):  
Dr. Boidurjo Mukhopadhyay

This paper reviews how renewable energy applications in rural areas could reduce poverty, create income generating enterprises, and improve overall well-being of communities. In addition to highlighting a wide range of cases from developing countries, the research also points out to multifarious applications of solar energy technologies for rural development. The conventional myths that the poor cannot afford nor manage smart technologies are not true, as evidenced in the cases presented in this paper. Another objective of this paper is to highlight and emphasise the role of institutions, both formal and informal, with their nested partnerships in supporting, promoting and enhancing the use renewable energy technology-based solutions in rural communities of developing and emerging (BRICs) economies. KEY WORDS: solar energy, climate change, renewable energy, rural development, energy-poverty, sustainability, institutions, livelihoods, capacity building

1992 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Joyce E. Allen

A discussion of rural development policy could focus on a number of issues surrounding the economic well-being of rural communities and rural residents. Research shows that rural America is experiencing many problems including widespread stagnation in job creation, reduced rates of population growth, substantial outmigration, and underdeveloped human resources (Brown et al.). According to Rasmussen, the first rural development efforts (e.g., improving physical characteristics of rural areas) met with quick and quantifiable success, but unemployment, persistent poverty, and inadequate housing may be more intractable.


Author(s):  
Veljko Radovanovic

The paper discusses the integral rural development and its importance for the policy of a more balanced regional development. Highly emphasized regional disproportions in almost all domains, as well as the long-standing lagging behind in the development of village and agriculture, resulted in faltering and stagnation of total development of the country. Overcoming, this problem calls for application of a more complex model of developmental policy for the village and rural society, which demand a multidisciplinary approach. Active policy and promotion of integral rural development is not only in the interest of rural communities, but of the society as a whole. This implies that investment in a wide range of economic branches in rural areas is of vital importance for increasing the attractiveness of rural areas, encouragement of sustainable development and creation of new possibilities for employment, especially of young educated people who are ready and capable to accept the new philosophy of development of these areas. Although rural areas in Serbia observed as a whole are highly heterogeneous with respect to economic development, according to the basic parameters of development degree, they lag behind urban and industrial centers considerably, and much more attention should be devoted to this phenomenon in the future.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-192
Author(s):  
Costică Mihai ◽  
Simona-Roxana Ulman ◽  
Mihaela David

In the process of development, the rural areas meet a wide range of economic, environmental and social challenges. This study theoretically discusses the concept of rural development and attempts to evaluate the development status among the people living in rural areas. In this scope, we propose the personal rural development index (PRDI), which is composed to, on one hand, an individual dimension and, on the other hand, a community one, related to different aspects of rural vitality. In this regard, three socio-economic components, namely economy, education – including a sub-dimension regarding culture, and health – with an environment sub-dimension were considered. These dimensions are influenced by the rural activities, especially the agricultural ones, that generates, nearby the economic results, as main objective for the individual or economic agent, also a set of economic, social or environmental externalities, from the category of public goods and of which both the stable and transitional residents of the area benefit. So, the complexity of the personal rural development index is high, aiming to put into light both individual and public components. The data used was obtained through a survey applied in seven rural communities from the North-East Region of Romania.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasta ◽  
Figueiredo ◽  
Valente ◽  
Vihinen ◽  
Nieto-Romero

In recent decades, European rural development policies have transitioned toward a more place-based approach. This claim rests on the assumption that the diversity of resources within rural areas can be a potential source for place-shaping practices and sustainability. Moreover, this shift away from a top-down sectorial toward a more territorial focus has also shed light on the importance of agency, relations, and how people engage. Many rural areas in Europe, and particularly in Portugal, have seen a withdrawal of focus away from agriculture toward more diversified activities, where place-based approaches can untap local potential, stimulate sustainable place-shaping practices, and create significant well-being. However, some rural communities have difficulties in capitalizing on them due to unfavorable demographics such as depopulation and aging, a focus on traditional industries, and a lack of technical knowledge. The aim of the article is to discuss the role of place-based policies for enabling place-shaping practices revolving around traditional resources in rural areas and their contribution to sustainability. The study briefly highlights the recent debate around European rural development policies and illustrates their implementation through place-shaping practices via a case study in a Portuguese rural village—Várzea de Calde. The village revalorized itself and is trying to tackle marginalization processes through its traditional linen, which is a local material and immaterial resource, via collective agency and a strong sense of identity. The case study will provide empirical insights in discussing the effects of sustainable place-shaping practices stimulating by place-based policy instruments. Our conclusions highlight the positive contributions toward sustainability through improvements in social (e.g., identity) and economic well-being.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5438
Author(s):  
María-José Prados ◽  
Marta Pallarès-Blanch ◽  
Ramón García-Marín ◽  
Carolina del Valle

The paper evaluates the rural development (RD) contribution of local economic activities (LEAs), whether generated or affected by the proximity of renewable energy plants (REPs). The study also informs about LEAs’ role as co-players in the fight against climate change. Semi-structured research interviews have been applied to identify LEAs’ BM (business model) in Andalusia, Murcia, and Catalonia, autonomous communities of Spain. Most LEAs present a BM based on the RE plant, and others do not, but they still contribute to RD, rural communities’ well-being and global sustainability. Results show, first, that certain LEAs, due to their inter-connection with large REPs, can innovate and create a significant number of stable jobs. Second, land leasing to REPs allows for temporary farms’ diversification, which is conditioned to its bargaining power. Third, advice on integration RE projects in RD strategies should be provided. Conclusions suggest the need for new governance to favor energy transition coherent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-69
Author(s):  
R. Bruce Godfrey

In support principally of environmental goals – principally reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector – Australian Federal and State governments have put in place a range of measures to support the deployment of increasing levels of renewable energy products and services. These market-making mechanisms complement Australia's leadership in a wide range of technologies for stationary energy applications of renewable energy, including photovoltaics, electricity storage, concentrating solar power, small wind turbines, energy efficiency products, hot dry rock geothermal and wave power. Industry is responding to these market and technology opportunities, and associated policy measures to support their growth, with the aim of growing a sizeable renewable energy sector that delivers economically competitive solutions for Australian and export markets.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4440
Author(s):  
Bader Alshuraiaan

The purpose of this study is to identify the most relevant renewable energy technologies for buildings and to assess the effectiveness of their implementation in the long term for Kuwait. Methods of analogies and comparisons were used to determine the features of energy efficiency based on the technologies under study. The study proposes the methodological approach to assessing the effectiveness of the introduction of renewable energy technologies, determining the direction of increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and the investment efficiency of introducing these technologies. Renewable energy efficiency analysis for buildings in Kuwait confirms that solar energy systems have been the most widely available for widespread use of solar energy over the past three years. An increasing level of energy efficiency with a decrease in the notional cost of increasing energy savings is characteristic of solar collectors with booster reflectors. The proposed model for assessing the level of energy saving provides an opportunity for economic justification of introducing renewable energy technology in buildings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
GISELE GARCIA ALARCON ◽  
ALFREDO CELSO FANTINI ◽  
CARLOS H. SALVADOR

Abstract Environmental services provided by forests are essential to the social reproduction of populations in rural areas. Perceptions about the services provided by forests play an important role in the planning of landscapes; however, few studies have investigated this issue. This study aimed at understanding how farmers perceive the role of forests in maintaining environmental services. One hundred farmers from the Chapecó Ecological Corridor - SC were interviewed. Provisioning and regulating services were mentioned most often. Water availability ranked first (65%), followed by the maintenance of habitat for biodiversity (34%) and firewood (23%). Income and local use of forest resources were the variables that best explained farmers' perceptions of forest benefits. Nevertheless, the use of forest resources has been limited by restrictions imposed by environmental legislation, which is affecting the perception of farmers about the wide range of environmental services provided by forests.


2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Tarik-ul-Islam ◽  
Sara Ferdousi

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.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 5050
Author(s):  
Barbara Wieliczko ◽  
Agnieszka Kurdyś-Kujawska ◽  
Zbigniew Floriańczyk

The sustainability transition of rural areas is a must due to rapid climate changes and biodiversity loss. Given the limited resources of rural communities, policy should facilitate a just sustainability transition of the EU rural areas. The analysis of EU development policies, past performance and the envisaged scope of reform, presented in this study point to a serious inconsistency between the declaration and implementation of relevant policies. Namely, the marginal role rural areas perform in common agricultural policy and cohesion policy; a result of the lack of a complex approach to rural development. The analysis was based on the concept of good governance and took a multi-level perspective. It advocates territorial justice as an approach that should be at the core of creating a comprehensive policy for rural areas in the EU, including their diversity and empowering local communities to choose the transition pathway that is most in line with their current situation and development capacity. This analysis fills a gap in research on the evolution of the rural development policy in the EU. This research can inform the reprioritization and intensification of efforts to create equitable policies for EU rural development.


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