Exploring the Energy Consumption Environmental Impacts and Economic Consequences Of
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies Graduate Capstones 2018 Exploring the energy consumption environmental impacts and economic consequences of Qureshi, Nazish Qureshi, N. (2018). Exploring the energy consumption environmental impacts and economic consequences of (Unpublished report). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/33095 http://hdl.handle.net/1880/108743 report University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY “Exploring the energy consumption, environmental impacts and economic consequences of implementing in-house solar cookers in Chitral.” by Nazish Qureshi A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CALGARY, ALBERTA AUGUST, 2018 © Nazish Qureshi 2018 ABSTRACT The ‘Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation’, as described by Ali & Benjaminsen (2004), is concerning for many. Chitral is a beautiful remote valley in north-west Pakistan, nestled in Hindu Raj, Hindu Kush and Karakoram-Himalayan mountain ranges. In the absence of other fuel options, about 99% of Chitral’s population uses traditional firewood stoves for cooking. To alleviate the consequent burdens of deforestation, pollution and health hazards, my analysis explores the feasibility of implementing solar cookers in Chitral. I make an energy comparison, study the environmental impacts and determine the economic viability of this transition. I collected data for this project through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. With limited research done on solar alternatives for my study area, I provide an insight on whether the environmental and economic expenses of firewood consumption will encourage the people of Chitral to use solar cookers—a technology foreign to their culture. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS APPROVAL PAGE ....................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ iii LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ v LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... v CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Research Proposition .......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Background .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Interdisciplinary Aspect of Study ...................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ................ 7 2.1 Geographic Background of Chitral ................................................................................... 7 2.2 Solar Cooker Technology ................................................................................................. 10 2.2.1 Principle of Solar Cooking ......................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Solar Cooker Designs................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2.1 Box Type Solar Cooker .................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.2.2 Concentrating Type Solar Cooker .................................................................................................. 12 2.2.2.3 Parabolic Solar Cooker .................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2.4 Scheffler Reflectors ........................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Measuring the Performance of Solar Cookers ........................................................................... 17 2.3 Solar Cooking Projects Implemented in Other Regions................................................ 17 2.3.1 Case of India and Burkina Faso ................................................................................................. 18 2.3.1.1 Solar Cooking at the Brahma Kumaris Retreat, India ................................................................. 18 2.3.1.2 Solar Cooking in Zabre & Tiakane, Burkina Faso ........................................................................ 19 2.3.2 Solar Cooking at Vajra Foundation, Nepal ................................................................................ 21 2.4 Environmental Impacts of Firewood Use for Cooking .................................................. 22 2.4.1 Environmental Impact of Deforestation in Chitral ..................................................................... 22 2.4.2 GHG Emissions in Pakistan ....................................................................................................... 27 2.5 Health Impacts of Firewood Use for Cooking ................................................................ 29 2.6 Economic Conditions in Chitral ...................................................................................... 32 2.7 Energy Comparison of Firewood Stoves vs. Solar Cooking .......................................... 34 CHAPTER 3: METHODS ......................................................................................................... 38 3.1 Methods of Data Collection .............................................................................................. 38 3.1.1 Location Selection: How I Selected the Region of Chitral for My Study .................................. 38 3.1.2 Firewood Use in Chitral ............................................................................................................. 39 3.2 Energy Comparison of Firewood Stove vs. Solar Cooking ........................................... 40 3.3 Environmental Feasibility ................................................................................................ 40 3.3.1 Deforestation in Chitral .............................................................................................................. 40 3.3.2 GHG Emissions in Chitral ......................................................................................................... 42 3.4 Economic Feasibility of Implementing Solar Cookers in Chitral ................................. 43 3.5 Technical Feasibility ......................................................................................................... 44 iii CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE ................................................................................ 45 4.1 Energy Comparison of Firewood Stove vs. Solar Cooking ........................................... 45 4.2 Environmental Impacts of Firewood Use........................................................................ 49 4.2.1 Deforestation .............................................................................................................................. 49 4.2.2 GHG Emissions ......................................................................................................................... 52 4.3 Economic Feasibility of Implementing Solar Cookers in Chitral ................................. 54 4.3.1 Firewood Cost to a Chitrali Household ...................................................................................... 54 4.3.2 Opportunity Cost Associated with Collecting Firewood ........................................................... 54 4.4 Technical Feasibility ......................................................................................................... 56 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS ........................................................................................................... 57 5.1 Energy Comparison of Firewood Stove vs. Solar Cooking ........................................... 57 5.2 Environmental Impacts of Using Firewood for Cooking .............................................. 58 5.2.1 GHG Emissions ......................................................................................................................... 58 5.2.2 Deforestation .............................................................................................................................. 59 5.3 Economic Feasibility of Implementing Solar Cookers in Chitral ................................. 63 5.3.1 Transition from Firewood to Solar Cooking .............................................................................. 63 5.4 Technical Feasibility ......................................................................................................... 64 5.4.1 Needs Assessment for