Alex Zahnd

Bio: Alex Zahnd is an academic researcher from Kathmandu University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Photovoltaic system & Renewable energy. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 42 publications receiving 396 citations. Previous affiliations of Alex Zahnd include Murdoch University & Kathmandu.

Replacing Fuel Based Lighting with Light Emitting Diodes in Developing Countries: Energy and Lighting in Rural Nepali Homes

Abstract: More than one quarter of the world's population, who does not have access to electric light, live in the developing countries. Nepal is one of these countries, where the people in the remote rural areas have to rely on fuel based lighting to bring minimal lighting services in their homes. This paper reviews the quality of lighting, energy and health issues due to the use of fuel based lighting in rural Nepali villages. Recommendations are given on the amount of light needed as the first time electric lighting services in those remote places. The measurement results show that LED technology can bring necessary light in these rural homes with least energy use and it is the potential technology to replace fuel based lighting in a sustainable way. Replacing fuel based lighting by white LEDs can also contribute to the overall development of the underprivileged and underdeveloped communities by helping to improve the health, education and life expectancy of the people as well as income generation.

Energy-efficient innovative lighting and energy supply solutions in developing countries

Abstract: The vast majority of the rural population in the de veloping countries is out of reach of electricity and hence has to depend on the tradi tional fuels to fulfil the daily energy needs. Providing grid electricity to the rural areas of ma ny developing countries is a very difficult task due to the geographical complexity and lack of fina ncial resources. The paper explains the use of different renewable energy sources in combination w ith efficient lighting technology as a realistic option to provide clean lighting services to develo ping countries. The application of Light Emitting Diodes and renewable energy sources has be en a sustainable solution to the basic lighting needs of rural people. The paper also pres ents a comparison of costs between available renewable energy technologies.

Review on multi-criteria decision analysis aid in sustainable energy decision-making

Abstract: Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods have become increasingly popular in decision-making for sustainable energy because of the multi-dimensionality of the sustainability goal and the complexity of socio-economic and biophysical systems. This article reviewed the corresponding methods in different stages of multi-criteria decision-making for sustainable energy, i.e., criteria selection, criteria weighting, evaluation, and final aggregation. The criteria of energy supply systems are summarized from technical, economic, environmental and social aspects. The weighting methods of criteria are classified into three categories: subjective weighting, objective weighting and combination weighting methods. Several methods based on weighted sum, priority setting, outranking, fuzzy set methodology and their combinations are employed for energy decision-making. It is observed that the investment cost locates the first place in all evaluation criteria and CO2 emission follows closely because of more focuses on environment protection, equal criteria weights are still the most popular weighting method, analytical hierarchy process is the most popular comprehensive MCDA method, and the aggregation methods are helpful to get the rational result in sustainable energy decision-making.

Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review

Abstract: Access to electric power supply has always had a significant role in promoting improvements in all the society sectors, nevertheless nowadays 1.3 billion of people still do not have electricity access. Moreover, most of them live in rural areas of developing countries which are often isolated, scattered populated and characterized by poor infrastructure and services. In this situation, the growing consideration towards the target of universal access to energy has emphasized the role of rural electrification, and off-grid small-scale generation represents one of the most appropriate options. As a consequence, the scientific literature has devoted attention to this topic with a large number of papers. In this frame, the present analysis focuses on off-grid systems for rural electrification and provides a general framework to this topic and an analytical review of the literature. The work is based on the review of more than 350 papers mainly published from 2000 to 2014 within selected journals, and it is organized in two sections. In the first one we describe the role of small-scale generation systems throughout the process of electrification, the main features of rural areas and their typical energy uses, and we propose a new comprehensive taxonomy for off-grid systems for rural electrification. In the second one we develop an extensive review of the selected literature according to the proposed classification and to five main research areas: Technology: layout and components; Models and methods for simulation and sizing; Techno-economic feasibility analyses and sustainability analyses; Case studies analyses; Policy analyses. The work results in a comprehensive review which organizes and capitalizes the main fundamentals of the addressed topic and provides elements to get acquainted with the literature.