Showing papers on "Rural electrification published in 2011"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors estimate the impact of household electrification on employment growth by analyzing South Africa's mass roll-out of electricity to rural households using several new data sources and two different identification strategies (an instrumental variables strategy and a fixed effects approach).
Abstract: This paper estimates the impact of electrification on employment growth by analyzing South Africa 's mass roll-out of electricity to rural households Using several new data sources and two different identification strategies (an instrumental variables strategy and a fixed effects approach ), I find that electrification significantly raises female employment within five years This new infrastructure appears to increase hours of work for men and women, while reducing female wages and increasing male earnings Several pieces of evidence suggest that household electrification raises employment by releasing women from home production and enabling microenterprises Migration behavior may also be affected (JEL H54, L94,
799 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a spatial electricity cost model has been designed to point out whether diesel generators, photovoltaic systems or extension of the grid are the least-cost option in off-grid areas.
Abstract: Three rural electrification options are analysed showing the cost optimal conditions for a sustainable energy development applying renewable energy sources in Africa. A spatial electricity cost model has been designed to point out whether diesel generators, photovoltaic systems or extension of the grid are the least-cost option in off-grid areas. The resulting mapping application offers support to decide in which regions the communities could be electrified either within the grid or in an isolated mini-grid. Donor programs and National Rural Electrification Agencies (or equivalent governmental departments) could use this type of delineation for their program boundaries and then could use the local optimization tools adapted to the prevailing parameters.
275 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors make a modest attempt, based on extensive literature review, to highlight the rural electrification situation at the regional and country level in South Asia, and suggest specific boosters that could serve as input for policy evaluation, review and improvements to assist future electrification efforts in the region.
257 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed the economic and social issues underlying the development of rural electrification, drawing on the experience with both grid and off-grid applications in developing countries and assesses the impact of electrification on the ability to generate income in rural areas.
221 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors deal with the electrification of dense forest areas of Uttarakhand state in India by Integrated Renewable Energy Optimization Model (IREOM), which consists of locally available renewable energy resources such as MHP, biomass, biogas, wind and solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems have been used to meet electrical energy and cooking energy needs of a cluster of villages.
164 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an attempt has been made in this paper to assess the features of rural electrification in India and the feasibility of Photovoltaic Solar Home Systems (PV SHS).
158 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the willingness to pay (WTP) for rural electrification connection in Kisumu district, Kenya, using the contingent valuation method (CVM).
Abstract: A modern form of energy, in particular electricity for household use, is an important vehicle in alleviating poverty in developing countries. However, access and costs of connecting to this service for most poor in these countries is inconceivable. Policies promoting electricity connection in rural areas are known to be beneficial in improving the socio-economic and health well-being for households. This paper examines willingness to pay (WTP) for rural electrification connection in Kisumu district, Kenya, using the contingent valuation method (CVM). A nonparametric and a parametric model are employed to estimate WTP values for two electricity products: grid electricity (GE) and photovoltaic (PV) electricity. The results indicate that respondents are willing to pay more for GE services than PV and households favoured monthly connection payments over a lump sum amount. Some of the policies suggested in this paper include: subsidizing the connection costs for both sources of electricity, adjusting the payment periods, and restructuring the market ownership of providing rural electricity services.
155 citations
TL;DR: A brief account of Nepal's renewable energy resources and the current status of various renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as micro-hydro, solar power, wind energy, biofuel/bioenergy, improved cook stoves, and improved water mill is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Energy is indispensible in modern society and is one of the most important components of socio-economic development. Nepal is one of the least developed countries with more than 80% of its population residing in rural communities. Per capita energy usage – often viewed as a key index of the development – in the country is far less than the global average per capita energy usage. The energy sector is dominated by the traditional energy sources such as fuel woods, crop residues and animal dung mainly for domestic usage contributing to about 86% of the national energy consumption. Currently 40% of the population has access to electricity, and the rural electrification accounts for only 29%. The majority of rural populations are meeting their energy needs by burning biomass in traditional stoves which has several environmental and public health issues. Nearly all fossil-derived fuels consumed in the country are imported in a refined form, and the perpetual increase in petroleum imports has adversely impacted the existing fragile economy of the country. Despite a huge potential in harnessing various renewable energy resources such as hydropower, solar power, wind energy and biofuels/bioenergy, these resources have not been sustainably captured due to geographical, technical, political and economical reasons. This paper presents a brief account of Nepal's renewable energy resources and the current status of various renewable energy technologies (RETs) such as micro-hydro, solar power, wind energy, biofuel/bioenergy, improved cook stoves, and improved water mill. It also highlights the opportunities and barriers for the development of RETs. Finally this paper presents some recommendations for the promotion, development and implementation of RETs in the country.
151 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a bottom-up model for residential energy use that starts from key dynamic concepts on energy use in developing countries is presented and applied to India, and the consequences of different assumptions for income distribution and rural electrification on residential sector energy use and CO2 emissions are explored.
137 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on operational and design issues linked to the implementation of fee-for-service concessions in solar home systems and discuss the benefits and difficulties of the model.
131 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed how rural electrification has been funded and the impact of subsidy policies on the renewable energy market, focusing on the projects implemented under the "subsidy policy 2000".
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors re-examine the concept of an energy poverty line, seeking to fine tune its application to Brazilian social and economic realities, and then apply an analytical framework (Lorenz Curve, Gap Poverty, Gap Quadratic, Gini Coefficient and Sen Index) to evaluate the effectiveness of recent efforts in Brazil to expand access to electricity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the efficacy of public policies aimed at rural electrification in South Africa, China, India and Brazil, in order to support the sustainability of their planning and implementation and also to enable comprehension of the significance of access to electricity in relation to other aspects of the drive to improve living standards.
Abstract: Most developing countries include rural electrification programs in their efforts to improve social conditions. There are, however, several obstacles to the evaluation of such programs and therefore of their social, economic, environmental and energy impacts on the target population, particularly on impoverished communities located in remote areas. Evaluation of the efficacy of public policies aimed at rural electrification in South Africa, China, India and Brazil enables such actions to be quantified and re-considered so as to bolster the sustainability of their planning and implementation and also so as to enable comprehension of the significance of access to electricity in relation to other aspects of the drive to improve living standards. The provision of electric energy amounts to more than access to a public service and should be considered an essential right, in a context of social equity and justice, which permits social integration and the access to other equally essential services.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors iteratively applied life cycle assessment (LCA) to a 3kW community hydroelectric system located in Huai Kra Thing (HKT) village in rural Thailand.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, a general overview of energy resources in Nepal has been discussed and the benefit cost and breakeven analyses of solar PV systems in Nepalese urban areas have been carried out.
Abstract: Historically, the rural population of Nepal has been meeting their energy needs from traditional sources like fuel wood and other biomass resources. Only about 44% of the total population has access to grid electricity. Because of country's rough and mountainous topography, high cost of grid extension, and low and scattered population density, constructing some big power plants (e.g. large hydropower) can not meet the electricity needs of all people, especially those living in rural areas. Distributed generation of electricity, using environment friendly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, might be one of the reliable alternatives for urban as well as rural electrification. This article begins with a general overview of energy resources in Nepal. Present status and perspectives of solar PV sector have also been discussed. Benefit cost and breakeven analyses of solar PV systems in Nepalese urban areas have been carried out. The breakeven year has been calculated between 2027 and 2036 for PV systems with system life time between 40 and 25 years, respectively. It has been concluded that the solar PV systems are not the economic solutions for grid connected urban areas in Nepal. On the other hand, this article concludes that the rural electrification projects should not be decided on the basis of mere monetary benefits, rather many social aspects should be considered, and in this case, there are not convincing alternatives to solar PV systems for electrification in many rural villages in Nepal.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the best practices in exploiting solar energy in selected MENA countries and present the exploitation of solar energy via PVs with special focus to the achievements in rural electrification, which could be used as a paradigm for other countries with similar problems.
Abstract: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries present abundant solar potential, which to some extent has been exploited for electricity production. However, the largest part of this potential remains still unexploited. The scope of this paper is to present the best practices in exploiting solar energy in selected MENA countries. First the general structure of energy market related to Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for each analyzed country is presented. Then the exploitation of solar energy via PVs with special focus to the achievements in rural electrification, which could be used as a paradigm for other countries with similar problems, is displayed. MENA countries are promising for the wide application of concentrating solar plants (CSP), as recent research has shown, and some interesting applications in this area, also presented in this paper, have started being implemented.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of rural electrification on different indicators, such as household data collected in Rwanda in villages with and without electricity access, and found robust evidence for positive effects on lighting usage.
Abstract: Rural electrification is believed to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. In this paper, we investigate electrification impacts on different indicators. We use household data that we collected in Rwanda in villages with and without electricity access. We account for self-selection and regional differences by using households from the electrified villages to estimate the probability to connect for all households – including those in the non-electrified villages. Based on these probabilities we identify counterfactual households and find robust evidence for positive effects on lighting usage. Effects on income and children's home studying become insignificant if regional differences are accounted for.
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative survey was used to find those factors perceived by program stakeholders as being most critical to the program's success to date and the factors considered most likely to impact on its future success.
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of the problems encountered during the progress of this rural electrification program, using data obtained from field survey of representative areas in western China where the first stage of the program was implemented, is presented.
Abstract: Renewable energy technologies offer an economically viable and environmentally suitable scenario towards addressing energy requirements for rural livelihoods. China's Renewable Energy Rural Electrification Program, initiated in 2001, is an effort to employ renewable energy technologies on a large-scale for rural electrification. The Program has been designed with several stages. This paper firstly offers an analysis of the problems encountered during the progress of this rural electrification program, using data obtained from field survey of representative areas in western China where the first stage of the program was implemented. The paper then explores feasible solutions in order to address existing rural energy issues and provide long-term reliable energy service for remote communities. In support of future course of development of renewable energy application for rural energy demands, policy recommendations are provided.
TL;DR: In this article, the dynamics of the relationship between electricity and socio-economic development has been analyzed by means of a typical rural electrification project in Tangting, Nepal by assessing the impacts of electricity on health, education, environment, and income in the village.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored intra-state disparity in access to electricity and examined the determinants of electrification at the village level in Bihar, one of the underdeveloped states in India.
TL;DR: In this paper, a general overview of energy resources in Nepal has been discussed and the benefit cost and breakeven analyses of solar PV systems in Nepalese urban areas have been carried out.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of rural electrification on different indicators, including household data collected in Rwanda in villages with and without electricity access, and found robust evidence for positive effects on lighting usage.
Abstract: Rural electrification is believed to contribute to the achievement of the MDG In this paper, we investigate electrification impacts on different indicators We use household data that we collected in Rwanda in villages with and without electricity access We account for self-selection and regional differences by using households from the electrified villages to estimate the probability to connect for all households – including those in the non-electrified villages Based on these probabilities we identify counterfactual households and find robust evidence for positive effects on lighting usage Effects on income and children's home studying become insignificant if regional differences are accounted for
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of electricity on firm performance and economic development in a dynamic rural area in Southern Uganda, and found that modern energy increases the importance of electricity-using capital and alters the sectoral distribution of economic activities.
Dissertation•
02 Jun 2011
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explain the dynamics of the two PV niches over the past 25 years using strategic niche management as its theoretical framework and find that the Kenyan niche has benefited more from donor support than is usually acknowledged.
Abstract: Rural electrification has been a long-standing objective in many developing countries. For decades, the assumption and practice has been to build centralised generating capacity and transmit the electricity over national grids. More recently, interest has grown in using PV (photovoltaic) technology as a solution to the problem of rural electrification. A private household market for PV has been developing in Kenya since 1984 and now has more than 200,000 systems installed, sold through this private market. Consequently, it is widely hailed as a success story among developing countries. Until recently, Tanzania had almost no household PV market, despite interest from a number of actors, including some of those who have been involved in enabling the rapid growth of the market in Kenya. However, sales of PV began to grow quite rapidly from the early 2000s and the trend appears to be gaining pace, with an estimated 285 kWp sold in 2007, having risen by 57% in one year. At the time of the research, there were two large donor-funded PV projects underway in the country.
The research attempts to explain the dynamics of the two PV niches over the past 25 years using strategic niche management as its theoretical framework. It finds that the Kenyan niche has benefited more from donor support than is usually acknowledged. The thesis also makes theoretical and methodological contributions. It offers a way to connect first and second-order learning to expectations and visions concepts; dimensions expectations and visions; and presents a tool for systematic investigation of socio-technical trajectory developments.
The thesis also suggests a number of ways in which the strategic niche management framework could be enhanced. These include stronger theorising about learning, and the incorporation of power, politics and risk into the theory.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed an alternative solution involving both grid and off-grid approaches to provide basic levels of electricity service in rural areas, where grid extension is not least-cost or reaching remote communities through grid network expansion is economically impractical.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the long-term performance of collective off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems in rural areas in the province of Jujuy, Argentina.
TL;DR: Different simulation models from APL (Alternative Power Library) have been used for a Hybrid PV–wind-hydrogen system that will be installed in the Essaouira region in Morocco and the integration of a hydrogen storage path in hybrid system operation is investigated.
TL;DR: The Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) program is the latest attempt to promote solar-based rural electrification in a fee-for-service model, aiming to remove the high upfront capital costs associated with solar technologies and using a public-private sector partnership for maintenance as mentioned in this paper.