R4D Energy

This is Open Access Week

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:00:00 GMT

This week, 19-23 October 2009, is the first International Open Access Week, which aims to broaden awareness and understanding of Open Access.

PISCES Annual Report June 2008

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:19:00 GMT

Miscellaneous PISCES 2009 70 pp. Progress to date, by research and cross-cutting themes:

RT1 Technology Data, policy frameworks and capacity on Bioenergy Technologies
Technology research is still clearly at an early stage, however good progress has been made in recruiting PhD and MSc students and in conducting initial technology surveys and Bioresource assessments in Tanzania and India. Negotiations regarding access to resource studies are also advancing in Kenya and Sri Lanka.

RT2 Access and Delivery Data, policy frameworks and capacity on how bioenergy can improve energy access and livelihoods
Civil strife in Kenya in Q1 delayed progress on the bioenergy needs and opportunities survey there however this has started in India. Further, a background study on Delivery Models with strong expert inputs, a scoping study on Food Security and Bioenergy Linkages, and training in Kenya on new Bioenergy Market Mapping methods in development, have been successfully completed.

RT3 Climate and Environment Data, policy frameworks and capacity on Bioenergy Linkages with Climate and Environment
Work has started on information gathering on the various agro-ecological zones in India, field work has been initiated in 2 zones, and contacts with relevant stakeholders in the Climate and Environment sector developed. Longer term challenges in terms of Climate Modelling and LCA capacity are to be addressed with recruitment, capacity building and partnerships.

XCA Research-into-Use Research outputs taken up by policymakers in the 4 countries
PISCES Policy Working Groups have been established in Kenya and Sri Lanka with strong stakeholder involvement and Ministry-level support. Wider integration of Innovation Systems thinking and RIU case studies have not however been initiated so far.

XCB South-South-North Knowledge and Expertise is successfully exchanged between the 4 PISCES countries and international experience is capitalised on
Internal sharing of information via Sharepoint is in place but some partners do still have problems using the site. Some International Case Studies have already been initiated and further studies are currently in discussion with potential partners including FAO.

XCC Capacity Building Capacity Built within consortium and key stakeholders
Capacity building both within the consortium and with policy stakeholders has started strongly with workshops and trainings conducted in all four countries. A full list is available in Annex 6.7.

XCD Equity Equity mainstreamed in policy recommendations
An initial study of Equity and Bioenergy linkages has been completed with uptake and interest from ENERGIA. Equity issues have been incorporated in socio-economic baseline surveys.

DFID releases a new project database

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Information about projects funded by DFID, ranging from emergency aid for countries affected by conflict or humanitarian crises, to ongoing support to improve health, education and sanitation in the poorest countries, is now available online.

PISCES Policy Brief No. 3. Policies and Regulations Affecting Biomass-Related Energy Sector Development in Sri Lanka

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:48:00 GMT

Miscellaneous 2009 4 pp. The future predictions of energy demand, limitations of hydro expansion and inadequate fossil fuel supplies in Sri Lanka suggests the need for a diversity of power sources in the future. The main objective of this policy brief is to discuss the current status of the biomass energy sector of Sri Lanka and to lay a foundation for a process of further studies and consultations leading towards a well-integrated energy policy.

DFID seeks applications for three posts in the Research Uptake Team

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:00:00 GMT

DFID is seeking to fill three posts in the Research Uptake team within the Policy and Research Directorate - Team Leader and two Research Evidence Brokers

Current Crises and New Opportunities: registration is now open for the DSA Annual Conference 2009

Wed, 27 May 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Registration is now open for the 2009 Development Studies Association (DSA) Annual Conference to be held 2nd - 4th September 2009 at the University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus

Study shows bioenergy benefits for rural poor

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Small-scale projects from across the globe scutinised to show the benefits of bioenergy for rural development and livelihoods.

The impact of the global financial crisis on developing countries

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) publishes a series of policy briefs exploring the impact of the global financial crisis on developing countries ahead of the G20 summit

FAO - PISCES Case Studies: Small-Scale Bioenergy Initiatives: Brief description and preliminary lessons on livelihood impacts from case studies in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:49:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Practical Action Consulting 2009 Prepared for PISCES and FAO by Practical Action Consulting, January 2009, 141 pp. This report presents a summary of fifteen case studies selected from 12 countries in six regions of Latin America, Africa and Asia. The focus of the study was on the impacts that different types of local level Bioenergy initiatives can have on Rural Livelihoods in different contexts in the developing world. Livelihoods are understood as the enhancement of the full range of natural, financial, human, social and physical capitals on a sustainable ongoing basis. The report concludes with preliminary lessons and recommendations for further work.

DF 63. Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport. Report on the presentations and discussions in the Rural Transport Theme Sessions.

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:56:00 GMT

Miscellaneous T. Greening 2008 Report from meeting in Manila, Philippines 9 12 September 2008. 27 pp. This is a report on the presentations and discussions in the Rural Transport Theme of the 'Asia on the Move' Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport Forum held in Manila, Philippines on 9 to 12 September 2008 and sponsored by the Asian Development Bank, the Global Transport Knowledge Partnership and SEACAP. The forum programme consisted of plenary sessions that covered the broader transport issues and theme sessions on Climate Change, Rural Transport, Urban Transport, Governance, Inclusive Transport and Social Development, Road Safety and Finance.

Asia on the move: Energy efficient and inclusive transport

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 01:00:00 GMT

The first ever Transport Forum, held in the Philippines, 9-12 September 2008, strengthens the partnership between the global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Evaluation of electrification with renewable energy technology in rural isolated communities in the Peruvian Andes and rainforest

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Sánchez, T.; Escobar, R.; Cherni, J. 2003 Energética (2003) 30, 43-50 [in Spanish]

Renewable energy sources in function of sustainable rural development: Escambray Sierra, Cuba

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:49:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Olalde, R. F.; Quintana, P. C.; Martinez, Y. I.; Cherni, J. 2003 Energética (2003) 30, 33-42 [in Spanish]

Energy and poverty in isolated areas in Colombia

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Alvarez, C.; Awad, G.; Dyner, I.; Cherni, J. 2003 Energética (2003) 30, 19-32 [in Spanish]

Multicriteria analysis to evaluate renewable energy technology performance in rural areas.

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:09:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Cherni, J. 2003 Energética (2003) 30, 7-17 [in Spanish]

Technical Report. Renewable energy for sustainable rural livelihoods 2004-2006

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Cherni, J. A.; Diaz-Chavez, R. A.; Valatin, G. 2005 Imperial College, London, UK, 40 pp. This Technical Report provides a summary of the results of the RESURL II research project. The main thrusts of the study, undertaken between August 2004 and March 2006, examine, improve and consolidate the assessment methods designed by RESURL I with the purpose of evaluating barriers and opportunities to identify the status of installed energy machinery and undertaking construction of an analytical system that could model future rural energy decision-making for poverty reduction and sustainability. A large proportion of the team's research efforts in RESURL II was geared to making a more accurate and reliable analytical tool of the original decision-making system MUCSY-RE the so called SURE, Sustainable Rural Energy, Decision-Support System. The latter became a fully developed multi-criteria computer program capable of modelling both technical and non-technical aspects of energy development. Another important target during the second phase has been to advance capacity-building in two directions: first, by offering more practical information to modern energy technology users in rural areas; and second, by expanding the RESURL presence among academics in the field. Finally, dissemination of the ideas behind RESURL, as well as exploration of the wider political and economic processes of electricity reforms in developing countries are two new aspects addressed by RESURL.

The report is structured as follows. Chapter 1 starts by giving an overview of the findings of RESURL I; these represent the antecedents to the RESURL II project. The main activities undertaken during this period are then described and venues highlighted that were used for disseminating the main outputs and transferring conceptual frameworks.

Chapter 2 focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of the rural energy decision-support model SURE and explains how the model evolved into its current form.

Chapter 3 looks into information delivery to technology users to encourage the long-term sustainability of clean and modular energy systems. The as yet unfulfilled potential of modern energy technology to deliver useful services is also covered.

Chapter 4 moves away from the practical dimensions of community and regional aspects of the problem of energy supply for sustainable rural livelihoods and steps into the theoretical field of the electricity liberalisation process and its effects on the poor. The chapter aim is to present information that contributes to an understanding of the current state of the extension of the electricity supply to rural areas and the promotion of renewable energy technologies.

Finally, Chapter 5 reflects on issues raised by the research. In particular it highlights the importance of moving the project forward in the light both of the decision by Cuban policy-makers and scientific advisors to include one of our main outputs, the SURE decision-support model, within their national priority research programmes and to pilot it in a number of provinces; and of the support given by the Colombian National Counsel of Science to upgrading the system program.

Evaluating energy options for poverty reduction in remote rural areas

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:31:00 GMT

Miscellaneous Cherni, J. 2002 DFID Energy Newsletter (2002) Issue 14, p. 4-5

The Link between Poverty and Climate Change

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:00:00 GMT

A new booklet from DFID shows how close the links are between climate change and poverty.

DFID seeks research fellows to design and execute research programmes

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Notification of forthcoming appointment opportunities at the Department for International Development (DFID) for senior research fellows

Boost for African science

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:00:00 GMT

African science has received a boost with the announcement of a £3.3 million partnership between the Leverhulme Trust and the Royal Society to fund collaborations between scientists in Ghana, Tanzania and the UK

Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security (PISCES)

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:43:00 GMT

Current

The idea behind PISCES is that the security of livelihoods is contingent upon the interdependence of energy, water and food security - and that Bioenergy is the pivotal issue at the intersection of these three factors. Millions still rely on bioenergy in the form of wood for basic energy services, often depleting forestry resources, contributing to the deterioration of watersheds, and promoting desertification. There is also increasing global interest and activity in the growing of energy crops to act as modern biofuels, stimulated by increasing prices, tightening access to fossil oil supplies, and the impact of climate change requiring mitigation and adaptation to these changes.

While increased cultivation of energy crops could provide increased energy access for the poor, without appropriate policies in place it could also pass them by. At the macro-level, bioenergy could increase global energy supplies without increasing carbon emissions; at the local level it could absorb vital water supplies and fertile land needed to cultivate food. Tradeoffs are inevitable for an increase in bioenergy provision and need to be understood and appropriately regulated and incentivised in policy if the promise of bioenergy is to be realised in meeting the energy security needs of the poor, without compromising their already limited access to water and food security.

The goal of this project are threefold; one is to contribute to widely transferable knowledge and understanding of bioenergy, two to show demonstrable policy change in the target countries of the project; and three maximize the contribution of bioenergy to clean energy access and livelihoods. PISCES is 5-year RCP running from 2007 to 2012 with the lead institution being African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and lead partners includes University of Dar es Salaam, Practical Action, University of Edinburgh, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and University of Edinburgh. The project is implemented in India, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

The purpose of this project is to increase available knowledge and understanding of policy relevant trade-offs between energy, food and water security for livelihoods in relation to bioenergy.

Objectives:
Development of policy relevant frameworks on bioenergy supported by comprehensive data, analysis and stakeholder participation.

Sustainable pilot projects running action inquiry research and demonstrations operating in three countries.

Research outcomes are taken up in policy, regulations, standards and practice in each country.

PISCES Policy Working Groups (PWGs) have been established with encouraging engagement in Kenya and Sri Lanka. In Kenya PISCES is actively involved the national initiatives to develop the national strategy paper for both biodiesel and bioethanol. The impact on policies is not yet clear and the process has yet to get well underway in Tanzania and India.

PISCES RPC expert working groups have been established. Policy makers and practitioners have engaged with the groups.

Research is under way into small-scale gasification and ethanol microdistillation technologies & delivery models. PISCES is a member of the National Biodiesel Research Working Group, Natinal Biodiesel Committee and Bioethanol Strategy Working Group. Research outcomes are taken up in policy, regulations, standards and practice in each country.

PISCES has produced two policy briefs which are in their last stage of publication.

A number of training courses have been conducted to build capacity of lead partners and collaborators. Training courses have been conducted on topics such as Research in to Use and Market Mapping Approach.

A number of PhDs and Masters students training are going on both at Edinburgh and University of Dar es Salaam.

Bioenergy resources, needs and environmental impacts surveys have been completed in India.

Through a collaborative initiative with the FAO, PISCES have conducted Bioenergy and Livelihoods Case Studies in 12 countries covering South America, South East Asia and African countries.

PISCES team have future in several National and International Bioenergy Conferences.

Energy Planning in Developing Countries - facing the challenges of equitable access, secure supply and climate change.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Current Poor households need energy for cooking, heating, lighting, and for basic appliances. Currently around 1.6 billion people in the developing world do not have access to electricity and 2.5 billion rely on biomass, burned in inefficient, dirty stoves. These figures are not anticipated to improve without significantly enhanced policies and investment. At the same time, improvements in access to energy by other sectors, such as education, health and business, are crucial for achieving development objectives, including economic growth. DFID's recent White Paper pointed out that economic growth is highly dependent on the availability and affordability of energy. The project report has the overall objective of informing the development of a future research programme on energy planning in developing countries.

Peer review of Energy Planning in Developing Countries - facing the challenges of equitable access, secure supply and climate change. Final Report.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed This project set out to peer review the final report of the project: Energy Planning in Developing Countries - facing the challenges of equitable access, secure supply and climate change.

Timber drying kilns using solar energy

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed World concern over the use of timber resource and the cost and supply of energy from fossil fuels have stimulated considerable research into alternative energy sources and methods of energy conservation. For efficient utilisation, and in particular the minimisation of waste, most timber needs to be dried to an appropriate moisture content before processing and/or use. Control can be exercised properly if such drying is carried out in a kiln. Increasingly, such drying is being carried out at the producing mill with consequent economies of transport and deterioration due to fungi and/or insects. Kiln drying requires energy, and solar energy is an appropriate form in many tropical timber-producing countries. Drying kilns using solar energy are relatively undeveloped, particualrly in relation to the close control of relative humidity that is essential to the production of a high quality dried item. It is almost impossible to control temperature in a solar kiln and is not necessary provided humidity is controlled. It has been established that solar drying can produce a very high quality of drying but it is not yet widely practised, largely through lack of knowledge. There is a need for drying timber to upgrade the quality of timber products for building construction as well as furniture and joinery, particularly for export markets. Solar drying requires low capital and has minimum operating costs. The proposed project will select examples of solar kilns that appear to have potential for wider use, particularly those which have been in continued use for some years and thus have stood the test of time. To improve the availability of quality building materials. To disseminate the relevant technology for solar drying of timber in order to promote wider use of solar drying.
To assist the smaller timber industries to improve the quality of the timber using solar energy with consequent better use of forest resources through better product quality, longer product life, or less waste in manufacturing. To prepare a manual on solar drying kilns and publicise. Plumptre RA and Jayanetti DL (1996). Solar heated timber drying kilns. A manual on their design and operation. High Wycombe: TRADA Technology.

The purpose of the manual is to present some of the knowledge gained during the past thirty years in the field of timber drying using solar energy. It aims to provide sufficient information for the reader to understand the principles of timber drying, how solar kilns work, how different designs are constructed and how they should be operated to obtain a high quality product.

Methods of Integrating Renewables into Energy Systems

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The successful take-up of renewables is critically dependent on their market acceptance and system integration. To meet the objectives of sustainable development, environmental protection and energy security, it is important to carry out research into the most cost-effective methods by which investment in renewables can be stimulated and encouraged. The World Bank Solar Initiative and related GEF activities, together with aid programmes require well-based mechanisms for renewable energy commercialisation. This work is of high priority because if it does not go ahead, the introduction of renewables will be hindered by the lack of cost-effective methods of integrating them into energy systems and the prospects for continued deployment of renewables will be adversely affected. To examine and promote cost-effective legislative and regulatory methods and techniques which will improve and stimulate the integration of renewables into the energy supply systems of developing countries. Improved understanding of the most cost-effective market mechanisms able to promote renewable energy in developing countries.

Identification of the means to overcome market, technical and financial barriers to the large-scale deployment of renewables.

Methods for promoting the uptake of renewable energy systems in a format usable by aid agencies and governments of developing countries.

Energy efficiency in small scale brick making

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed Small scale industries in developing countries play a significant role in the provision of employment and income. The sustainability of their production is closely related to efficient use of natural resources (ie: firewood). Despite institutional research into rational use of fuel and resources, many small scale brick producers continue to employ artisanal techniques, which are extremely inefficient and can also lead to poor quality products. IT's preliminary research estimates that the total number of small scale brick producers in Latin America could well be above 5 000. In Peru, research indicates an average energy consumption varying between 4.5 MJ/kg brick in Cajamarca and 9.0 MJ/kg brick in Alto Mayo. This is higher than the average international energy requirements for kilns of a simple technology (3.5-8.0 MJ/kg) or of an intermediate technology (2.3-6.5 MJ/kg). IT's experience in other countries, such as Zimbabwe, has identified a whole range of techniques and technologies which are not accessible to producers in Latin America, mainly due to lack of information and technology transfer. This project aims to improve sustainability of small scale brickmaking enterprises through the development of a methodology for transferring improved and more fuel efficient technologies and techniques. To develop and disseminate a technology transfer methodology in energy efficient practices, techniques and technologies appropriate to small brick production. Report on technological needs of small brickmakers and possible impacts of changes in Peru and 3 other countries.

Information on technological innovations with proven efficiency gains.

Proven methods and materials to transfer technological innovations to small-scale brickmakers.

Proposal for scaling up technology transfer to national levels.

Publication: ,Guide for Technology Transfer to Small Scale Brickmakers,.

Deployment of commercial energy efficiency cooking

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The project seeks to develop work on commercialising institutional stoves in Kenya and disseminate the commercialisation skills developed into the region. Documentation will also be produced for wider dissemination of these skills. There are two target audiences. The first is small-scale businesses, often household enterprises, that use woody biomass extensively for baking and cooking as a business. The other audience is schools, boarding schools, clinics, hospitals and other non-domestic ,institutions, who cook for large numbers of people. In both cases, they purchase fuel,and are commercially oriented. In the small-scale business sector, true SMEs generally run by women, energy efficiency improvements show immediate returns. Thousands of household enterprises in Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Dar-es-Salaam and other urban areas in East Africa engage in commercial cooking and baking using wood as their primary source of income. They serve hundreds of thousands of consumers evey day. Surveys carried out by ESD in these urban areas show the potential to save hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fuel wood each year through investment in improved commercial and institutional cookstoves. ESD's experience in Ethiopia, and in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, shows that stoves designed and sold for household use deteriorate rapidly, and their efficiency drops dramatically, when used for commercial and ,institutional, use (hospitals, schools, etc.). This calls not only for improved designs, but targetting these institutions through different promotion and commercial technical service programmes, including methods for utilising these devices. Commercial cooking for large numbers of people, which is carried out in small-scale restaurants, bars, hotels, (generally household SMEs), and in schools, hospitals and other ,institutions, require different stove designs compared to households. Work carried out by an ESD associate, under a GEF grant in Kenya for non-household cooking, shows that the demand for services, training, technical assistance and promotion is very large. Studies carried out by ESD in the rest of the region support this, and provides the background and justification for this proposal. To exploit the energy efficiency gains already achieved in the design of cookstoves, in combination with successful commercialisation of the stoves, to ensure widespread usage. Good progress was made in Ethiopia, but slower progress in Uganda and Tanzania. New stoves have been developed and sales have been significant. A revolving loan fund administered by a Producers Association was set up in Ethiopia, and loans administered. Define the commercial and non-domestic market.

Develop support mechanisms to accelerate deployment of stoves.

Dissemination of successful commercialisation methods.

Carry out pilot production and marketing in each country by March 1998.

Grant fund set up for producers in Ethiopia. Definition of the institutional/commercial market in East Africa (and Ethiopia) through market surveys, stakeholder workshops, and stakeholder interviews.

Identification of stove producers in East Africa by country.

Identitication of new stove designs to disseminate in East Africa by country.

Training of stove producers in new stove technologies, commercialisation, marketing skills, business planning, locating project finance.

Production of business and financial plans by stove producers.

Production of new prototype stove designs.

Laboratory testing of new stove designs.

Market trials of new stove designs.

Establishment of a informal network of East African stove producers.

Demonstration of the potential for cross-border stove producer co-operation.

The staging of stoves workshops in all four target countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania). The last three workshops disseminated information on improved commercial and institutional stoves to potential customers, donors, NGOs, government representatives, etc. Displays and demonstrations of the stove technologies were also made. Advertising and promotion in the press, radio and TV also took place.

Stove producers have located their own project finance in Uganda.

In Ethiopia an Association of Stove Producers has been established to manage the disbursement of funds from a grant provided by the project. The grant is going to be utilised as a revolving fund administered by a Committee established by the Association. The Association will also look for support funding from other sources.

A proven commercialisation methodology has been developed for the production of commercial/institutional stoves.

A manual detailing this commercialisation methodology has been produced.

The following sales of stoves have taken place.

In Ethiopia six producers had achieved sales of 1,115 stoves by mid March 1999.

The purpose of the project was to demonstrate the process by which commercialisation of stove manufacture could be achieved on a regional basis. This was shown particularly well in Ethiopia where a local stove team, assisted by the Kenya and UK project partners, has developed a core of six producers now actively producing commercial stoves. In Tanzania and Uganda the process has been introduced, producers trained, and new stoves introduced, but a healthy, sustainable producer structure has not been set up to the same degree as in Ethiopia.

Energy efficient medical waste incinerator for hospitals in rural areas in developing countries

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed To develop an energy efficient incinerator to reduce the problems inherent in the current methods of destroying medical waste materials at hospitals.

Improving efficient woody biomass energy production and utilisation

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The Ugandan and Zimbabwean national governments have identified sustainable commercial biomass as a priority area for support. They have undertaken initial national studies that they would like to see focussed at a local level, with particular emphasis on poverty alleviation through job creation and business support. Key national government officials have recognised that commercial woody biomass for industry and commercial enterprises, and institutions, is not treated as a serious energy source by most local and national leaders and that its profile needs to be raised to demonstrate its important contribution to their local and national economies - and to employment and poverty alleviation . Tens of thousands of Ugandans and Zimbabweans are employed on a part-time and full-time basis in producing, transforming and transporting this energy, while tens of thousands are employed in industries and commercial establishments that use this energy. Recognising that importance at a local and national government level is essential in order to put in place the policies and structures to promote energy efficiency in the production of woody biomass, and in its utilisation, and to making the commercial production and transformation of woody biomass more environmentally sustainable. Supply of wood fuel most often comes from disadvantaged low-income groups within rural communities, who sell wood on to merchants. This may be their sole income earning activity, or a source of additional income when times are hard, or when additional income is needed. By gaining consensus that wood energy is an important, sustainable, and viable commercial energy source, wood energy producers can improve production methods and raise their incomes, thereby increasing their earnings. Wood energy consumers can improve their efficiencies of utilisation, thereby reducing wood energy consumption and expenditure, and increasing their incomes. Acceptance by local and national government stakeholders that wood is a real and important part of the local economy and an important part of the national energy balance will allow these rural wood producers to become more organised, with improved production methods, and hence improve the quality and price of their production. Defining interventions that can reduce wood energy consumption can raise the incomes, reduce expenditures, of numerous rural small/medium enterprises (SME), small industries, commercial establishments and institutions, thereby increasing employment opportunities and raising rural incomes. Representatives of these small scale wood suppliers and consumers will be involved as stakeholders at District level from the start of the project. To demonstrate to key stakeholders the important contributions commercial woody biomass energy makes towards rural poverty alleviation and to the national economy. Detailed district study reports of the commercial biomass business (from production to end-use) in the target areas.

Baseline database on the important poverty alleviation, employment, revenue and other benefits from the biomass supply and consumption business.

Cost and benefits report of current and projected biomass use for industrial and commercial SMEs, and rural institutional users with particular focus on poverty alleviation.

District action plans to improve the benefits of the commercial biomass business.

National action plans to present the consensus of the national workshops to the proposals in the district action plans.

A set of proposed projects for financiers, governments, and donors, to promote improved commercial biomass business and end-use. The project is showing how the efficient supply and use of wood-fuel can make an important contribution to rural poverty reduction and the wider economy. Teams of local partners in Uganda and Zimbabwe are raising the awareness of stakeholders at national and district levels, in both government and the private sector. The World Bank's AFRREI initiative has joined the project, so it has been extended until the end of the year.

Extension processes for rural energy

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Completed The DFID guidance note for energy for the rural poor states: 'access to energy is essential to sustain human life'. There is strong concern among donors that development actions be demand led. However, energy is rarely a strong enough felt need in villages to be expressed in PRAs or focus group discussions. A casual survey of rankings across a broad range of projects shows food, water, health needs and education in the foreground - leading to projects in those sectors. Output from PRAs often depends on the facilitator. A framework is created within which the community undertakes the exercise. While in theory the framework should be open to include all needs, in practice it is often slightly closed, health workers tend to get a greater feedback on health, agriculturalists on agriculture, etc. The response depends on the skills and awareness of the extension worker. Those skills and awareness in turn often depend on the training given to extension workers. If energy is not included in the training, it is unlikely to be recognised by either extension worker or village as a need. A casual survey of training literature shows that energy is not mainstreamed in texts. This project proposes developing and promoting tools that will assist general extension workers to be aware of, and incorporate energy into, their grassroot work. Extension services around the world are now the bedrock of development practice. The mobilisation of the community is essential to ensure demand led provisions which lead to sustainable effective and efficient practices. Energy is a cross sectoral need (eg: food processing, water pumping, health clinics). FAO suggests a major need for multi-disciplined extension agents. In supporting the extension services, and creating the awareness of the role of energy in daily rural lives, the research will promote gender awareness. It is said that collecting basic fuels often accounts for one-fifth of the working day of the rural women. If development projects are more aware of energy needs, they will release working time from women. The environment is addressed, since the project will encourage grassroot workers to discuss energy and the environment within the PRA process, and take appropriate action. Sustainability of projects will be enhanced since this research will ensure that energy (which affects human life) is considered as part of the overall grassroot strategy of development. To bring the subject of rural energy into mainstream extension networks, demonstrating a practical SL approach. A set of PRA tools designed to include the energy component of daily life.

Guidelines for extension workers on the inclusion of the impact of an energy agenda.

Field testing of tools and guidelines.

Dissemination through extension networks and linkages.

Summarise output in form of input to guidance sheet on energy issues suitable for inclusion in SL manual.

Reducing household smoke in Sudan

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Researchers at Practical Action work in partnership with local communities to find accessible, acceptable and affordable ways to alleviate smoke

Reducing CO₂ Emissions with Family-Hydro

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Project R8150 worked to stimulate the family-hydro market by reducing installation costs.

R4D Energy

This is Open Access Week

PISCES Annual Report June 2008

DFID releases a new project database

PISCES Policy Brief No. 3. Policies and Regulations Affecting Biomass-Related Energy Sector Development in Sri Lanka

DFID seeks applications for three posts in the Research Uptake Team

Current Crises and New Opportunities: registration is now open for the DSA Annual Conference 2009

Study shows bioenergy benefits for rural poor

The impact of the global financial crisis on developing countries

FAO - PISCES Case Studies: Small-Scale Bioenergy Initiatives: Brief description and preliminary lessons on livelihood impacts from case studies in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

DF 63. Asia on the Move: Energy Efficient and Inclusive Transport. Report on the presentations and discussions in the Rural Transport Theme Sessions.

Asia on the move: Energy efficient and inclusive transport

Evaluation of electrification with renewable energy technology in rural isolated communities in the Peruvian Andes and rainforest

Renewable energy sources in function of sustainable rural development: Escambray Sierra, Cuba

Energy and poverty in isolated areas in Colombia

Multicriteria analysis to evaluate renewable energy technology performance in rural areas.

Technical Report. Renewable energy for sustainable rural livelihoods 2004-2006

Evaluating energy options for poverty reduction in remote rural areas

The Link between Poverty and Climate Change

DFID seeks research fellows to design and execute research programmes

Boost for African science

Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security (PISCES)

Energy Planning in Developing Countries - facing the challenges of equitable access, secure supply and climate change.

Peer review of Energy Planning in Developing Countries - facing the challenges of equitable access, secure supply and climate change. Final Report.

Timber drying kilns using solar energy

Methods of Integrating Renewables into Energy Systems

Energy efficiency in small scale brick making

Deployment of commercial energy efficiency cooking

Energy efficient medical waste incinerator for hospitals in rural areas in developing countries

Improving efficient woody biomass energy production and utilisation

Extension processes for rural energy

Reducing household smoke in Sudan

Reducing CO2 Emissions with Family-Hydro

Reducing CO₂ Emissions with Family-Hydro