Promotion of household renewable energy technologies in rural communities: Challenges and experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (27) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simalenga T. E
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Renewable Energy Technologies ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan

Considerations for a sustainable hybrid mini-grid system: A case for Wanale village, Uganda

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Kimera ◽  
Richard Okou ◽  
Adoniya Ben Sebitosi ◽  
Kehinde O. Awodele
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Grid System ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Technologies ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Energy Utilities

The extension of modern energy services to rural sub-Saharan Africa has continuously provided a challenge to energy utilities. The continued reliance on diesel generators for rural electrification is increasingly becoming unsustainable, due to a number of factors, among which includes their high fuel dependency, and the uncertainty surrounding the price and availability of fossil fuels. While the influx of renewable energy technologies has provided a means for providing off-grid electrification services, the intermittent nature of renewable resources poses a challenge, as energy generation does not always coincide with usage. Through a combination of renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and conventional diesel generation, a hybrid mini-grid system is able to achieve synergy in operation, hence providing a reliable means of extending electricity services to rural consumers. In this paper, a hybrid mini-grid system is proposed for the supply of electricity to a remote village in Uganda. Renewable energy resources are identified, an estimation of the projected village short-term electricity demand is modelled, and using HOMER software, a hybrid mini-grid system is designed, components sized, and the system optimized for efficient and reliable operation to meet the village demand at an affordable cost. A well designed and operated hybrid mini-grid system offers a viable tool for the electrification of even the remotest of areas.

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.

Microfinance and Polycentric Governance as Strategies for Renewable Energy Deployment in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 113-141
Author(s):  
Dumisani Chirambo
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Polycentric Governance ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Sub Saharan

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the least electrified regions in the world and also a region that is characterized by poverty and inequality due to high levels of climate change vulnerability. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, SSA policymakers are compelled to devise new innovative strategies and policies to enhance investments in renewable energy technologies (RETs). Accordingly, this chapter provides an assessment of some strategies to accelerate RET deployment and the potential of polycentric governance systems to improve RET deployment. The assessment concluded that even though renewable energy investments through climate finance and microfinance modalities are not at a level sufficient to ensure that universal energy access can be attained in the region, SSA can still accelerate its progress on RET deployment by utilizing nationally determined contributions as instruments to direct South-South aid, trade, and investments into priority renewable energy sub-sectors.

Renewable Energy for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 1116 ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukhtar Bello
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan

Worldwide, developing countries struggle to overcome numerous problems that constrain their socio-economic development. Sub-Saharan African countries represent a good example of developing countries with serious developmental challenges. Thus, this chapter presents a critical analysis on the socio-economic situation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the links between limited access to modern energy services and the prevailing socio-economic circumstance. It discusses the expected roles of renewable energy technologies in increasing energy access in the region and highlights important factors that influence extensive deployment of renewable energy technologies for sustainable development. Reliable statistical data on both the Human Development Index (HDI) and Energy Development Index (EDI) rankings indicate that most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa lie far below the world average and as a region, Sub-Saharan Africa scores least. There is high level of poverty and inadequate social services, which is attributed to acute shortage of modern energy services. In Sub-Saharan Africa, over 70% of the population lack reliable access to electricity and modern cooking fuels, which represents a large proportion of the „energy poor‟ in the world. Lack of access to modern energy services limits economic and agricultural opportunities, negatively affects the environment, promotes gender inequality and constrains delivery of social services such as health care delivery system and education. Thus, one of the biggest developmental challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa is to find effective and pragmatic solutions for increasing energy access. Sub-Saharan Africa is richly endowed with renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind, solar, hydropower and geothermal, which largely remain unexploited. The renewable energy resources are widely available throughout the region unlike the conventional fossil-based resources, that is, coal, oil and gas, which are concentrated within very few countries. Therefore, the renewable energy resources if properly and fully utilized can provide clean, affordable and reliable energy services that will promote socio-economic activities and support sustainable development.

Microfinance and Polycentric Governance as Strategies for Renewable Energy Deployment in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1909-1930
Author(s):  
Dumisani Chirambo
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Polycentric Governance ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Sub Saharan

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is one of the least electrified regions in the world and also a region that is characterized by poverty and inequality due to high levels of climate change vulnerability. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, SSA policymakers are compelled to devise new innovative strategies and policies to enhance investments in renewable energy technologies (RETs). Accordingly, this chapter provides an assessment of some strategies to accelerate RET deployment and the potential of polycentric governance systems to improve RET deployment. The assessment concluded that even though renewable energy investments through climate finance and microfinance modalities are not at a level sufficient to ensure that universal energy access can be attained in the region, SSA can still accelerate its progress on RET deployment by utilizing nationally determined contributions as instruments to direct South-South aid, trade, and investments into priority renewable energy sub-sectors.

Diffusion of Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Communities

2013 ◽  
pp. 1047-1071
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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document