DOCSLIB.ORG

Scaling up Off-Grid Solar Energy Access

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Scaling up Off-Grid Solar Energy Access Scaling up off-grid solar energy access through improved understanding of customers’ needs, aspirations and energy use of decentralised (SMART) Solar Home Systems – a case study of BBOXX customers in Rwanda. Iwona Magdalena Bisaga Centre for Urban Sustainability and Resilience Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering Faculty of Engineering University College London Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2018 i Abstract In the fast-growing market of decentralised energy systems, stand-alone PV Solar Home Systems (SHSs) are among modern solutions which have quickly grown in numbers across the unelectrified parts of the world, substituting often polluting, expensive and inefficient sources like candles, kerosene or battery-powered torches used for lighting homes and businesses. Little research has been done to understand behavioural aspects of energy use among SHSs adopters. This case study aims to address this gap in the body of knowledge regarding energy use behaviour, needs and aspirations, focusing on SHSs users in Rwanda through both qualitative and quantitative research methods. It applies the Three-Dimensional Energy Profile framework to explore the needs, aspirations and energy use at a household level, with a recognition of differences among genders, different poverty groups and various system packages consisting of a diverse range of appliances. Time factor is considered to better understand whether and how needs and energy consumption change over time, demonstrating that energy use is dynamic and power consumption does not increase in a linear manner. Further findings reveal a substantial decrease in the use of candles, kerosene and batteries for lighting, with continued fuel stacking practices post-SHS adoption. Business applications are basic, as are the needs in terms of the most-desired appliances, which cover lighting, phone charging, access to information and entertainment, and other daily use appliances, such as shavers and irons. Aspirational level of access to energy services has the potential to be met by SHSs with increased availability and affordability of super energy efficient appliances, and appropriate business models. This can enhance the already significant impact on HHs, which has a well-defined gender dimension, with women benefiting the most. Policy and regulatory frameworks remain an important factor in scaling up off-grid energy access as key market enablers, channels of awareness-raising and trust-building among off-grid communities. ii Impact Statement This research has contributed to the existing body of knowledge on an emerging and highly important subject of current and future electrification efforts in Rwanda, which can be applied in other countries aiming to scale up their energy access rates and reach universal electrification by the 2030 deadline set by the Sustainable Development Goal 7. It has made a significant contribution to the academic body of research on the use and impact of decentralised energy solutions (DREs), such as off-grid Solar Home Systems, in a low-income country context, and by doing so improved the understanding of how such solutions are used by predominantly rural households in Rwanda. This case study has informed the private sector of decentralised off-grid solar energy, offering valuable findings which can guide product and service design, and improve the provision of energy services in Rwanda, East Africa and beyond, now and in the future. It has had a direct impact on the industry partner (BBOXX), generating insights on the customer base which are critical for business model development, as well as continued product and service improvement. It has additionally helped in establishing a customer research department and the setting up of end-user focussed research activities which have since been expanded and have become an integral part of company’s operations in Rwanda and other countries where BBOXX have their presence. Furthermore, the scope of and findings from this research have informed the design of the ‘Socio-Economic Impact Research’ and the off-grid solar impact metrics led by the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) in partnership with a number of private companies in the off-grid solar sector, including BBOXX. Impact on energy policy and regulation has been achieved in a twofold manner: first, through the seminar organised at and with the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST) on “Off-grid solar in Rwanda: The way forward” (October 2016) where early findings of this research were presented and which was attended by various stakeholders from academia, the private and the public sectors, as well as the donor and NGO community in Rwanda; and second: through the WIREs Energy and Environment publication (2018) covering issues around existing policy iii frameworks and home-grown solutions (HGS), and their potential of scaling up energy access efforts by promoting off-grid solar solutions at the grassroots level. Further impact on the wider energy sector, including both policymakers and practitioners, has been made through other published articles in renowned journals, including Energy Policy and Energy Research & Social Science, focusing on the application of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions as enablers of off-grid energy services (2017), and proposing a novel approach to understanding energy use behaviour of SSHSs adopters through Social Practice Theory (SPT) lens and the energy ladder framework (2018). Having assumed an original approach to qualitative research methods on energy access, which, in addition to more traditional tools such as Focus Groups and surveys, has incorporated participatory photography to explore the rich and often unquantifiable aspects of energy uses and impacts, this research has contributed to the relatively small existing body of academic work which relies on photography as a tool for data collection. Moreover, this research has impacted the public through several public engagement activities, including the mentioned seminar on off-grid solar energy in Rwanda, and photography exhibitions in both Rwanda (Kigali) (May 2017) and the United Kingdom (London) (June 2017) based on the participatory photography workshops with the users of SSHSs across Rwanda utilised as a data collection tool. Additionally, participants of the participatory photography workshops were able to share their experience and talk about why energy access matters in their lives and learn about the experience of other rural HHs across the country, which they would not be able to learn without this engagement. Feedback received from the participants strongly indicated that a positive impact had been achieved. Through the researcher’s collaboration with the Energy and Development Group at UCL, this research has been used as a case study and findings have been cited in the Group’s publications, of which the researcher is also a co-author. Contacts established in the course of conducting this research in Rwanda have also been helpful in writing funding proposals, both for internal UCL opportunities and external ones. iv Last but not least, this work has been presented at several conferences attended by the researcher, namely the Annual Association of American Geographers conference (San Francisco, March-April 2016), UNESCO Chair in Technologies for Development ‘Tech4Dev Conference’ hosted by the Cooperation & Development Centre (CODEV) and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) (Lausanne, May 2016), 3rd UCL Urban Sustainability and Resilience Centre (USAR) conference (London, June 2017), Low Carbon Energy for Development Network (LCEDN) 6th conference (Durham, September 2017), and the ‘Off-grid solar in Rwanda: The way forward’ seminar (Kigali, October 2016) and ‘Social Research on Off-Grid Solar’ conference (London, December 2015) organised by the researcher. Further dissemination of this work has been done through blogs, hosted blogs, a personal website of the researcher, and interviews (UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering ‘Keep it Civil’ podcast, Rwanda TV of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RTV RBA)). v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................ ii Impact Statement ......................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ vi List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................ x Publications and Conferences .................................................................................... xx Statement of Originality ........................................................................................... xxii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. xxiii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ...................................................................... xxvi Note on Currency .................................................................................................... xxix Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Problem statement ......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research partner ...........................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • School Sports Policy
    REPUBLIC OF RWANDA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SCHOOL SPORTS POLICY July 2020 i Table of contents Table of contents ................................................................................................................... ii FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... v ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................................ vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... viii 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 10 1.1 Definition of concepts ................................................................................................... 11 1.1.1 School Sports ................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.2 Physical Education .......................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.3 Mass sports ....................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.4 Sports for all .................................................................................................................................... 11 1.2 Importance of school sports .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Report of Governance Assessment on the Functioning of Sports Federations
    REPORT OF GOVERNANCE ASSESSMENT ON THE FUNCTIONING OF SPORTS FEDERATIONS November 2020 Table of Contents FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Sports Regulatory and Institutional Framework ................................................................................... 6 1.2. Overview of Sports Federations assessed ............................................................................................ 7 2. Assessment Methodology .................................................................................................................. 10 2.1. Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 10 2.2. Description of indicators, sub indicators and variables ...................................................................... 10 2.3. Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................................... 11 2.4. Data entry and analysis....................................................................................................................... 11 2.5. Ranking system ..................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Rwanda Sports Development Policy
    Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Sports and Culture Rwanda Sports Development Policy October 2012 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................. 3 2. Background .......................................................................................................... 4 3. Context and Rationale.......................................................................................... 5 4. Benefits of Sports ................................................................................................ 6 5. Key challenges facing sports industry in Rwanda ............................................... 7 6. Key opportunities available to the sports industry in Rwanda ............................ 9 7. Policy development process ................................................................................ 9 8. Vision .................................................................................................................10 9. Mission ...............................................................................................................10 10. Inspirational Target.........................................................................................10 11. Guiding Principles and Values .......................................................................10 12. Objectives of the Policy ..................................................................................11 13. Policy Orientations and Strategic Actions......................................................12
    [Show full text]
  • Congress CAC Activities Report 2017-2018 CAC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (2017-2021) 1- President’S Activities CAC President Dr
    CAC Congress CAC Activities Report 2017-2018 CAC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (2017-2021) 1- President’s Activities CAC President Dr. Azzam meeting with the Minister of sport in Rwanda Kenya host the regional cycling meeting of East Africa Meeting of Dr. Wagih Azzam President of CAC with the minister of sport in Kenya Handing CAC flag to Minister of Sports and Ethiopian Federation for the organization of CAC Road African Championships in 2019 Dr. Wagih Azzam official visit to Ghana Dr. Azzam Official Visit to Cote d’Ivoire 2- Education CAC training course on the organization of cycling BMX Commissaires Course - 2018 3- African Championships CAC Road African Championships Rwanda 2018 2017 CAC Track African Championships headed for Durban CAC Track African Championship Morocco 2018 Mountain Bike African Championship Mauritius 2017 Egypt hosted the 2018 Mountain Bike African Championships in Cairo at the Wadi Degla Protectorate BMX African Championship Zimbabwe 2017 BMX African championship - Cairo 2018 African Youth Games - ALGER 2018 Africa Cup (Road) - Asmara 2018 CAC Track African Championships Pietermaritzburg 2019 Namibia hosts the CAC MTB African Championships 2019 Nigeria elite women national team participated at the Giro Egyptian Female Rider Ebitssam Egyptian rider scored a new Guinness Records 4- Africa Tour Africa Tours 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 2017 2018 Africa Tours 20 17 5- Training Camps MTB Training Camp April 2018 6- Africa Inside UCI Africa in the UCI Management committee Meeting with CAC Management Committee Members and Voting Delegates of Africa Management Committee Meeting of African Cycling Confederation The African Cycling Family continue to preserve the Slogan “Africa United” during the UCI Congress that take place in Bergen.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of a Policy Brief to Facilitate the Implementation of the Physical Activity/Sports
    DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY BRIEF TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/SPORTS POLICY IN RWANDA Lela Mukaruzima Student No: 2959943 A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape Supervisor: Professor José M. Frantz May 2018 ABSTRACT The importance of health enhancing physical activity participation (HEPA) has always been emphasized globally, as one of the means to reduce the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) occurrence. In Africa, it is more relevant currently, due to the growing burden of NCDs that is coupled with the existing encumbrance of communicable diseases. In Rwanda, specifically, there are limited national strategies to promote health-enhancing physical activity. Consequently, the level of physical activity among Rwandans, especially government office workers, is likely to diminish, which could possibly be attributed to the rapid urbanization that comes with lifestyle changes. Basically, most people tend to abandon the traditional labour-intensive activities, which are associated with high energy expenditure, to more sedentary activities. Therefore, the need to promote health enhancing physical activity participation is crucial. Physical activity participation is an intricate and multifaceted behaviour that may not be viewed from a linear perspective. This current study adopted a socio-ecological framework to assess the factors that influence Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) among government employees in Kigali City. The study used an exploratory, sequential, mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative designs, in order to comprehensively explore and understand the research problem. Qualitatively, a Case study and exploratory design was used to collect data, specifically from the Rwanda Sport Policy and its implementing stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • Women and Sport Progress Report
    From Windhoek From to Montreal: and Women Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 For the Group (IWG) Working International From Windhoek to Montreal International Working Group on Women and Sport Women and Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 Anita White & Deena Scoretz For the International Working Group on women and Sport (IWG) Contact information for the IWG Secretariat from 2002-2006: IWG Secretariat P.O. Box 1111-HHD, Tokyo-Chiyoda Central Station, Tokyo 100-8612 Japan Tel: +81 3 5446 8983 Fax: +81 3 5446 8942 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.iwg-gti.org Photos used in this document have been provided by the following: Aerobics for Pregnant Women Program, Zimbabwe Bernard Brault Bev Smith Canada Games Council and Concepts to Applause Canadian Paralympic Committee Caribbean Coaching Certification Program, St. Lucia Commonwealth Games Canada - International Sport Development K. Terauds Martin Charboneau Sayuri Inoue (JWS) Singapore Sports Council Smith College (USA) WomenSports Federation (I. R. of Iran) IBSN 0-9730719-0-7 This document is also available in French and Spanish: De Windhoek à Montréal : Rapport d'étape sur les femmes et le sport, 1998-2002 De Windhoek a Montreal: Informe de Avance sobre la Mujer y el Deporte, 1998-2002 © International Working Group on Women and Sport, 2002 From Windhoek to Montreal International Working Group on Women and Sport Women and Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 Anita White & Deena Scoretz For the International Working Group (IWG) Table of Contents Acknowledgements . .v Message from the Co-Chairs of the International Working Group on Women and Sport . .vii Introduction . .ix Chapter 1: Background and Context A) First world conference in Brighton, UK in 1994 .
    [Show full text]
  • Mugolds International Bringing Global Expertise in Fire Fighting to Rwanda
    OCT-NOV 2014 ISSUE 45 Telling Rwanda’s Story Magazine www.hope-mag.com Mugolds International Bringing global expertise in fire fighting to Rwanda INSIDE PRIME Life Assurance acquired and rebranded Bralirwa Coca Cola Replenish Africa Initiative Facilitating access to life-saving water RDB Turns new business pages Airtel Rwanda Community Connect FREE COPY COVER PAGE Mugolds International Bringing global expertise in fire fighting to Rwanda INSIDE THIS ISSUE “We are a well-connected company globally in regards to fire risk management, which besides offering trainings on fire safety and firefighting to public and private enterprises, is well placed to advise institutions in procuring the right fire equipment from the best suppliers.” “With our combined experience, what we haven’t seen in this field has not happened; even then we are well positioned to predict future fire risk trends for a fast developing economy like HIGHLIGHTS Rwanda’s” MUGOLDS INTERNATIONAL 18 TIGO RWANDA 20 Airtel Rwanda Community Connection, HOPE OCT-NOV 2014 ISSUE 45 2014 ISSUE HOPE OCT-NOV 24 RDB Rwanda keeps the pace, turns 34 TIGO RWANDA 24 RDB BUSINESS REFORMS new business pages 30 RDB Electricity connection Procedures and costs reduced by 7 EDITORIAL Fires can be contained 16 Bralirwa CocaCola Replenish Africa 50% Initiative facilitating access to life- 8 MUGOLDS INTERNATIONAL Bringing saving water 34 TIGO Rwanda’s Tech Incubator, think, global expertise in fire fighting to selects start-ups from four African Rwanda 18 Turkish Airlines Partners with Team Nations
    [Show full text]
  • Social Inclusion Open Access Journal | ISSN: 2183-2803
    Social Inclusion Open Access Journal | ISSN: 2183-2803 Volume 5, Issue 2 (2017) SportSport forfor SocialSocial Inclusion:Inclusion: QuestioningQuestioning Policy,Policy, PracticePractice andand ResearchResearch Editor Reinhard Haudenhuyse Social Inclusion, 2017, Volume 5, Issue 2 Sport for Social Inclusion: Questioning Policy, Practice and Research Published by Cogitatio Press Rua Fialho de Almeida 14, 2º Esq., 1070-129 Lisbon Portugal Academic Editor Reinhard Haudenhuyse, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium Available online at: www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion This issue is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY). Articles may be reproduced provided that credit is given to the original and Social Inclusion is acknowledged as the original venue of publication. Table of Contents Introduction to the Issue “Sport for Social Inclusion: Questioning Policy, Practice and Research” Reinhard Haudenhuyse 85–90 Promoting Social Inclusion through Sport for Refugee-Background Youth in Australia: Analysing Different Participation Models Karen Block and Lisa Gibbs 91–100 Being Able to Play: Experiences of Social Inclusion and Exclusion Within a Football Team of People Seeking Asylum Darko Dukic, Brent McDonald and Ramón Spaaij 101–110 Interculturalism and Physical Cultural Diversity in the Greater Toronto Area Yuka Nakamura and Peter Donnelly 111–119 A Part of and Apart from Sport: Practitioners’ Experiences Coaching in Segregated Youth Sport Nancy Spencer-Cavaliere, Jennifer Thai and Bethan Kingsley 120–129
    [Show full text]
  • Gender, Physical Education, and Sport
    Gender, Physical Education, and Sport Bringing forward Rwandan girls’ perspectives on their lived experiences of physical activity and sport in secondary schools Lysanne Rivard Department of Integrated Studies in Education Faculty of Education, McGill University Montreal, Canada July 2015 A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy © Lysanne Rivard 2015 CONTENTS Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................xi Résumé..........................................................................................................................................xii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................xiv CHAPTER 1 1. Gender, Physical Education, and Sport in the Global South: A debate transitioning from “Where are the girls in physical education and sport programming?” to “Where are girls’ voices?” .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. The Case of Rwanda ............................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Research Focus........................................................................................................................ 7 1.3. Positioning of the Researcher ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • From Windhoek to Montreal
    From Windhoek From to Montreal: and Women Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 For the Group (IWG) Working International From Windhoek to Montreal International Working Group on Women and Sport Women and Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 Anita White & Deena Scoretz For the International Working Group on women and Sport (IWG) Contact information for the IWG Secretariat from 2002-2006: IWG Secretariat P.O. Box 1111-HHD, Tokyo-Chiyoda Central Station, Tokyo 100-8612 Japan Tel: +81 3 5446 8983 Fax: +81 3 5446 8942 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.iwg-gti.org Photos used in this document have been provided by the following: Aerobics for Pregnant Women Program, Zimbabwe Bernard Brault Bev Smith Canada Games Council and Concepts to Applause Canadian Paralympic Committee Caribbean Coaching Certification Program, St. Lucia Commonwealth Games Canada - International Sport Development K. Terauds Martin Charboneau Sayuri Inoue (JWS) Singapore Sports Council Smith College (USA) WomenSports Federation (I. R. of Iran) IBSN 0-9730719-0-7 This document is also available in French and Spanish: De Windhoek à Montréal : Rapport d'étape sur les femmes et le sport, 1998-2002 De Windhoek a Montreal: Informe de Avance sobre la Mujer y el Deporte, 1998-2002 © International Working Group on Women and Sport, 2002 From Windhoek to Montreal International Working Group on Women and Sport Women and Sport Progress Report 1998-2002 Anita White & Deena Scoretz For the International Working Group (IWG) Table of Contents Acknowledgements . .v Message from the Co-Chairs of the International Working Group on Women and Sport . .vii Introduction . .ix Chapter 1: Background and Context A) First world conference in Brighton, UK in 1994 .
    [Show full text]
  • FACTORS RELATED to SPORT PREFERENCES AMONG YOUTH with PHYSICAL DISABILITY in RWANDA Pierre BARAYAGWIZA
    FACTORS RELATED TO SPORT PREFERENCES AMONG YOUTH WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN RWANDA Pierre BARAYAGWIZA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape SUPERVISOR: Prof. Julie PHILLIPS November 2011 KEYWORDS Disability sport Youth Physical disability Sport preference Sport enjoyment Sport commitment Parental encouragement Physical ability Challenges Rwanda i ABSTRACT Sport participation can play a vital role in enhancing life of youth with physical disabilities. This is because of the rehabilitative influence sport can have not only on the physical body but also on rehabilitating people with disability into society. A successful sport programme in which the youth with disabilities are involved should possibly respect youth‟s wishes regarding the preference of the sport. The Review of the literature revealed that little has been documented about the status of disability sport in developing countries. Given the psycho- social and physiological benefits of sport in everyone‟s life, including those with physical disabilities, there is a need for a study to document the status of sport of this sub-population in Rwanda. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the factors associated with sport preferences among youth with physical disabilities in Rwanda. A sequential mixed model design was used to collect data, specifically the sequential explanatory strategy. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and a total number of 204 participants voluntarily answered the questionnaire. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among four (4) NPC staff to collect data regarding the challenges experienced by youth with physical disabilities with regard to sport preferences.
    [Show full text]
  • Complexities and Dangers of Remembering and Forgetting in Rwanda
    Olivier Nyirubugara Olivier Complexities and Dangers of Remembering and Forgetting in Rwanda Can a society, a culture, a country, be trapped by its own memories? The question is not easy to answer, but it would not be a bad idea to cautiously say: ‘It depends’. This book is about one society – Rwanda – and its culture, traditions, identities, and memories. More specifically, it discusses some of the ways in which ethnic identities and related memories constitute a deadly trap that needs to be torn apart if mass violence is to be eradicated in that country. It looks into everyday cultural practices Rwanda in Forgetting and Remembering such as child naming and oral traditions (myths and tales, proverbs, war poetry etc.) and into political practices that govern the ways in which citizens conceptualise the past. of Dangers and Complexities Rwanda was engulfed in a bloody war from 1990 until 1994, the last episode of which was a genocide that claimed about a million lives amongst the Tutsi minority. This book – the first in the Memory Traps series – provides a new understanding of how a seemingly quiet society can suddenly turn into a scene of the most horrible inter-ethnic crimes. It offers an analysis of the complexities and dangers resulting from the ways in which memories are managed both at a personal level and at a collective level. The main point is that Rwandans have become hostages of their memories of the long-gone and the recent past. The book shows how these memories follow ethnic Complexities and Dangers lines and lead to a state of cultural hypocrisy on the one hand, and to permanent conflict – either open and brutal, or latent and beneath the surface – on the other of Remembering and hand.
    [Show full text]