Abstract
Sustainable energy technologies are widely sought-after as essential elements in facing global challenges such as energy security, global warming and poverty reduction. However, in spite of their promising advantages, sustainable energy technologies make only a marginal contribution to meeting energy related needs in both industrialised and developing countries, in comparison to the widespread use of unsustainable technologies. One of the most significant constraints to their adoption and broad diffusion is the socio-economic context in which sustainable energy technologies are supposed to operate. The same holds true for community-based energy projects in developing countries supported by the WISIONS initiative. Practical strategies dealing with these socio-economic challenges are crucial elements for project design and, particularly, for the implementation of project activities. In this paper experiences from implementing community-based projects are reviewed in order to identify the practical elements that are relevant to overcome socio-economic challenges. In order to systematise the findings, an analytical framework is proposed, which combines analytical tools from the socio-technical transition framework and insights from participative approaches to development.
Highlights
IntroductionThe provision of modern energy services using renewable energy technologies offers multiple development opportunities to off-grid communities in emerging economies and developing countries
The provision of modern energy services using renewable energy technologies offers multiple development opportunities to off-grid communities in emerging economies and developing countries.Several technical alternatives using renewable energy sources exist, which have proven to be adequate for responding to diverse sustainability challenges
The present study aims to build a framework for guiding the analysis and evaluation of the implementation strategies of community-based projects
Summary
The provision of modern energy services using renewable energy technologies offers multiple development opportunities to off-grid communities in emerging economies and developing countries. Several technical alternatives using renewable energy sources exist, which have proven to be adequate for responding to diverse sustainability challenges. The promotion of these technologies is being widely sought as an essential part of the strategy aiming to alleviate poverty in developing countries [1,2,3]. More ambition and decisive efforts are necessary to truly unlock their potential contribution to more sustainable development paths [4]. The transition to sustainable energy provision requires significant efforts in developing, testing and further improving technical innovations as well as in identifying and applying effective implementation strategies for those new technologies.
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