Systems analyses and the sustainable transfer of renewable energy technologies: A focus on remote areas of Africa

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSustainable energy provision is regarded as one of the most significant challenges facing the realm of development, especially in Africa where large proportions of the population still lack access to energy services. Although there have been much efforts to address these problems with renewable energy technologies, there have also been substantial failures and problems. The Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) has developed a manual that seeks to address these implementation issues. The Renewable Energy for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods workgroup has also developed such a framework, termed SURE, which is a multi-criteria decision analysis modelling tool. Both of these frameworks rely heavily on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and emphasise the need to rigorously analyse the sub-systems where technologies are to be introduced. These two frameworks have been integrated and assessed in terms of their applicability for the South African rural renewable energy landscape through a Delphi study conducted with several experts in the energy sector. The results indicate that the integrated framework is suitable for the South African context, with additions to the ITDG and SURE frameworks suggested. Finally the paper highlights a potential concern in the South African renewable energy industry in that technology assessment methods that are utilised in practise do not incorporate the concepts of sustainability science adequately; this must be addressed through further case study research efforts.

Sustainability of Off-Grid Photovoltaic Systems for Rural Electrification in Developing Countries: A Review

“…In Bangladesh for instance, training programs have been undertaken by IDCOL for creating awareness not only among the installation companies, but also among the customers [88]. Nonetheless, many off-grid PV projects worldwide became unsustainable as they ignored the importance of user know-how (e.g., [15,31,69,79,102,107,108,111,[131][132][133]). For example, in Uganda, Tillmans and Schweizer-Ries [107] reported a substantial knowledge drop in the chain of information (manufacturer-local supervisor and NGO-local solar company and user) towards the user.…”

A Review of a Successful Unsubsidized Market-Based Rural Solar Development Initiative in Laikipia District, Central Kenya

“…This is the same call made by Barnes and Halpern (2000) calling upon the United States and other rich nations to provide financial tools and incentives to help rural communities producing greater global benefits of reduced greenhouse gases that affect world climates, expanded use of affordable, clean and renewable energy and improved incomes and standards of living for rural communities. Individual nations can also mobilize additional resources (capital, research and education) to support this endeavour (Jacobson 2007;Brent & Kruger 2009;Brew-Hammond 2010;Mekhilef et al 2012).…”

“…In reducing the gaps between energy services available in rural areas compared with urban areas and low-income as compared with high-income households, renewable energy technologies like solar power can make a big difference (Gustavsson 2003;Jacobson 2007;SEI 2007;Brent & Kruger 2009;Brew-Hammond 2010). While solar PVs remain attractive for decentralized electricity production, the challenge is to find applications that are economically justifiable, socially appropriate and technically sustainable (IEA, 2002).…”

“…These UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have brought development concerns back to the forefront of the political agenda and provided a common framework and guidance for action in development cooperation. Those include, but not limited to research and development of Renewed Energy Technologies (RETs), reforestation programs, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, aquifer protection and biodiversity protection (Brent & Kruger 2009;Hajat et al 2010). According to Martinot (2001), renewable energy sources made their first real entry to the international scene in 1970s when the two worldwide oil crises occurred.…”

“…Within the last two decades increasing use of such alternative energy systems has dominated many nations in the developing world particularly in rural areas (Acker & Kammen 1996;DME 1998;Abavana 2000;Mulugetta, Nhete & Jackson 2000;Martinot 2001;Diarra & Akuffo 2002;Duke, Jacobson & Kammen 2002;Jacobson 2007;Hajat, Banks, Aiken & Shackleton 2010;Chua & Oh 2011;Mekhilef et al 2011;Solangi et al 2011;Moosavian et al 2013). The common strategy has been to develop a framework through which electric services based on solar energy can be provided in rural areas in a financially and socially sustainable manner (Kalumiana 2002;Brent & Kruger 2009).…”