1,176 research outputs found

    Effekter av tilgang til fornybare energikilder og teknologi på rurale husholdningers energiforbruk og på miljøet i Etiopia

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    Access to modern, affordable, and reliable energy and clean cooking facilities is critical for Ethiopia to drive its economic development, reduce poverty and curb the negative environmental and health impacts of traditional and unsustainable use of solid biomass fuels. To that end, the government of Ethiopia has devoted considerable efforts in recent years to improving rural access to electricity, and the dissemination of household biogas systems, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and improved biomass cookstoves (ICSs). In light of these efforts, the present thesis aims to investigate and empirically examine the effects of access to modern and renewable energy sources and technologies on the rural households’ energy use patterns, well-being, and the environment in southern Ethiopia. In doing so, the thesis seeks to shed new light on the nexus between renewable energy access and household energy transition in rural sub-Saharan Africa in the face of climate change. The research was carried out mainly in four rural districts of Southern Ethiopia and data were collected from a comprehensive cross-sectional study (survey) of sample households, direct field assessments, and energy consumption measurements. The first paper systematically reviews and analyses existing empirical evidence on the potential environmental impacts of small-scale renewable energy technologies (SRETs): biogas, ICSs, and solar PVs in East Africa by taking Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as case studies. The results showed that SRETs have considerable potential for reducing household consumption of traditional fuels; thereby lessening forest degradation and the subsequent carbon dioxide (CO2) emission at local level. Our conservative estimates, based on the evidence, indicated that the biogas plants and ICSs disseminated in each country until 2015, had a combined potential of saving 0.31 to 3.10 million tons (Mt) of woodfuel and reducing emissions of 0.56 to 5.67 Mt of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per country per year. However, when compared with the annual biomass energy consumptions and CO2 emissions of each country, the biogas and ICSs disseminated till 2015 did not appear to offset more than 7.2% of the total woody biomass energy consumed and 3.8% of the total CO2e emitted by the respective countries per year. In light of the evidence from the systematic review in paper I, in paper II we analysed the current utilization rate, performance, and impact of domestic biogas systems in rural southern Ethiopia based on direct field studies and surveys in four districts. The results showed that despite growing efforts, the uptake and utilization of biogas technology is yet very low. Out of the total 32 digesters directly investigated, only 21 (65.63%) were found functional. The average quantity of biogas produced from a 6m3 functional plant was estimated to be 0.61 m3/day. This suggests that the current level of biogas use could substitute the consumption of 632 kg of fuelwood and 25 L of kerosene per household per year. However, comparative analysis of the total energy consumption of biogas user and non-user households revealed that the effect of biogas use on household fuelwood and kerosene consumptions, and energy transition was insignificant. Paper III extended the in-depth investigation and examined the potential fuel savings, economic and environmental co-benefits of three ICSs (Mirt, Gonziye, and Tikikil from a survey of 605 sample households and direct kitchen cooking observations to 133 ICSs users. The study finds that compared with the traditional open-fire tripod, the three ICSs studied could reduce household fuelwood consumption on average by 1.72 to 2.08 tons (t)/stove/year. The fuelwood savings translate to an estimated CO2e emission reduction of 2.82 to 3.43 tCO2e per stove per year. The results from the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) showed that usage of these ICSs could provide a net economic return of between US317and 317 and 460 during the 2 to 5 years lifespan of the stoves. The study highlighted that beyond improving the energy efficiency and well-being of rural households, ICSs are an essential component of the national and global strategies for GHGs emissions abatement. In paper IV we explored the impacts of rural electrification with solar PV systems in the study districts based on the survey data and direct field assessment of 137 solar PVs and lanterns. The findings indicated that solar-electrified households consume on average 43.68 litres less kerosene, and emit 107 kg less CO2 and 2.72 kg less Black Carbon (BC) per year compared with non-electrified households (neither grid nor solar light). This reduction in kerosene consumption and the access to electricity from the solar PVs could enable a solar user household to save between US65and 65 and 75 per year from the avoided energy expenditures and mobile charging costs. The new access to electricity and solarlighting has also reduced the health risks of rural families from kerosene wick lamps and allowed small-businesses to generate more income. The study concluded that solar PVs and lanterns are improving rural households’ wellbeing and access to clean lighting, and therefore should be further integrated into the national energy systems. However, the sustainability and effectiveness of solar PVs faces serious challenges from poor-quality and counterfeit products in the market, high cost of quality-verified products, lack of after-sales maintenance services, and limited access to credit financing services. In paper V, we analysed the current patterns of rural households’ energy consumption and the share of modern and clean fuels to examine the overall effect of access to modern and renewable sources and technologies on rural household energy use and transition. The results showed that more than 97% of the households still rely on traditional solid biomass fuels, particularly fuelwood (90.7%) as the primary fuel for cooking and baking Injera (Ethiopian bread). In contrast, the use of biogas and electricity for cooking was limited. On the other side, 50% use kerosene, 29% grid electricity, 19% solar, and 1.98% biogas as primary energy sources for lighting. Of the total 87, 172 MJ energy estimated to be consumed by a rural household per year, energy derived from traditional biomass fuels accounted for 85, 278 MJ (97.83%); while energy from modern and clean sources (electricity, biogas and solar) combined accounted for only 830 MJ (≈ 1%). The findings indicated that the recent efforts of Ethiopia to improving the rural access to modern and renewable energy sources have led to significant lighting energy substitution and partial transition from kerosene oil-based towards clean lighting fuels. However, we found no evidence of substantive energy substitution to suggest that the heavy dependence on traditional solid biomass fuels for cooking and baking end-uses is declining. Given the findings in paper V, in paper VI, we examined the major determinants of rural household’s energy choices for cooking and lighting by using Pearson’s Chi-square (χ2) test and Multivariate probit model. The results indicated that rural household’s primary cooking fuels are statistically significantly associated with the household size, distance to wood source, location, and income level. Empirical results of the multivariate analysis showed that rural households’ energy choices for lighting are significantly influenced by income level, family size, location, educational status, distance to market, road access. We find that wealthier and more educated households residing near road access were more likely to use clean lighting energy such as electricity and solar power; while poorer households residing in areas with limited road access use kerosene and dry-cell battery. However, the results also indicated that high-income level and grid-connection have not led households to completely forgo the use of traditional cooking and lighting fuels. This pattern appears to observe the energy-stacking model as opposed to the energy-ladder model of complete fuel-switching. While income remains a principal factor, the study finds that several non-income factors also play a major role in determining the energy choices and energy transition of rural households in developing countries. Overall, this PhD thesis provides new empirical evidence and fresh insights to inform decision making and energy planning on the socio-economic, environmental, and energy transition effects of access to renewable energy sources and improved cookstoves; and the associated drivers, challenges, and determinants in the context of rural sub-Saharan Africa. The thesis has shown that increased access and use of modern and renewable energy sources such as electricity and solar in rural areas of developing countries can lead to significant energy substitution and transition from kerosene towards clean and quality lighting. It has also revealed that promoting the use of ICSs is a viable option and an essential component of the strategy for reducing deforestation, mitigation of climate change, and sustainable use of biomass in sub-Saharan Africa. The low rate of utilization and impact from household biogas systems, on the other hand, signifies that thorough re-examining of existing dissemination approaches and operational practices is critical. Most importantly, the thesis has highlighted that the nexus between access to modern and renewable energy; and household energy transition in rural sub-Saharan Africa is complex and non-linear. As such, traditional biomass fuels will likely remain the primary energy sources of even the wealthiest households that are connected to the grid. The implication is that solid biomass-energy dependent countries like Ethiopia need to critically address the growing demand for biomass fuels through developing sustainable and diversified bio-energy sources, energy-saving and affordable cooking technologies, and decentralized renewable rural hybrid energy systems alongside the current efforts of improving rural access to grid electricity. Although the data for this study is primarily from rural southern Ethiopia, the conclusions and policy implications drawn can have a wider application in the broader context of rural sub-Saharan Africa.NORAD ; National MRV Capacity Building Project of Hawassa University, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources (WGCF-NR

    Household energy information management system for Africa : a Ugandan case study

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    Bibliography: leaves 86-89.An information database built through regular planned surveys in a comprehensive manner is the objective of this study. A foundation for periodic up-date of household energy is necessary and requires a proper institutional or structural set up that gives priority to household energy issues. This study explores the fundamental need to shift away from the current ad hoc surveys to a more reliable, systematic, comprehensive and financially effective way of conducting household energy surveys to generate household energy information that is representative of national picture and which supports effective planning and policy-making. Promotion of the importance of the household energy sector in terms of social equity and improved living standards is vital for investors, developers, financiers and policy-makers and planners to improve the sector. Thus the study addresses the appropriate way of obtaining comprehensive household energy information and harmonized data collection methodology through cooperation in information exchange amongst African countries to achieve comparability of data for a common African energy database

    Status Report 2006

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    The European Union is implementing challenging commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% in accord with the Kyoto protocol, and has established ambitious targets for renewable energies and energy end-use efficiency in its White Paper: Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy. In the past decade, renewable energy technologies have made significant progress in terms of performance, cost and reliability, thanks to vigorous research, development, demonstration and market introduction programmes at European, national and also regional level. Developments primarily rooted in environmental concerns are now penetrating all societal decision making and have led to a new, dynamic, and exponentially growing industry. Three major drivers are determining today’s socio-economic framework for the impressive renewables’ industrial and market developments. First, successful application of legally binding feed-in tariffs; secondly, liberalisation of the electricity market, and thus new possibilities for decentralisation of power generation. Third, and in the medium term, there is the undisputed need for massive re-powering the larger part of Europe’s generation capacity. This will incur generally higher electricity costs, which reflect somewhat better the real costs (incl. externalities) of all the different energy technologies. Thus a more favourable market situation for sustainable technology choices will evolve, e.g. for massive renewable power generation. While technology development has been a key driver in the progress of renewables, first examples of significant penetration would have been impossible without appropriate, supporting policies including instruments such as introduction targets, carbon taxes, elimination of non-technical barriers, internalisation of external costs of energy, and harmonisation of market rules. The efficient end-use of energy is a parallel area where modern technology, policies, better public conscience of the issues and market forces, like the utilities’ interest to exploit the potentials for avoidance of new transmission and generation capacity, have combined to achieve significant results. New integrated marketing concepts, like energy service companies, have been very successful lately, and organisationally break ground for the implementation of sharper physical efficiency concepts as well. This is of particular strategic importance for the New Member States of the EU, as the use of energy, including electricity, in these countries is still significantly less efficient than in the old Member States. The aim of this Status Report is to provide relevant, validated and independent information on renewable energy and the efficient end-use of electricity to decision makers and the public.JRC.H.8-Renewable energie

    Energy use in the EU food sector: State of play and opportunities for improvement

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    The amount of energy necessary to cultivate, process, pack and bring the food to European citizens tables accounts for the 17 % of the EU's gross energy consumption, equivalent to about 26 % of the EU's final energy consumption in 2013. Challenges and solutions for decreasing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy in the European food sector are presented and discussed.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

    You are what you measure! But are we measuring it right? An empiric analysis of energy access metrics based on a multi-tier approach in Bangladesh

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    Measuring energy access through binary indicators is insufficient, and often, even misleading. In this work, the SE4ALL global tracking framework, and the recently introduced ESMAP multi-tier approach, is critically discussed analyzing questionnaire based primary data from rural Bangladesh. The performance of different energy interventions is evaluated using the new tier framework. The challenges in its application lie in reliable data collection, adequate gradation of indicators, and an effective algorithm for the tier assignment based on the specified set of attributes. The study showcases very high sensitivities to parameter changes, different algorithms, and data requirements. The results reveal a clear trade-off between capturing the multi-dimensionality of energy access and the simplicity of an easy to use global framework. Suggestions to improve the measuring approach are made and conclusions are drawn for possible implications of the tier framework for different energy service offers in the market. Strengths and weaknesses of the present measurement scheme are discussed and country specific results interpreted through targeted gap analysis for future policy advice

    Effects of trade liberalization in environmental goods

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    The need to protect and preserve the environment in a globalized world is causing countries to reach agreements through international organizations to enable the coexistence of trade and environment. Through the World Trade Organization, efforts are being made to reduce barriers in the trade of environmental goods, with the ultimate objective of encouraging their use. This is likely to imply benefits for trade, the environment and the development of countries. From the analysis of studies by different authors, the present paper focuses on the effects of a decrease in tariffs on environmental goods within countries, especially in Spain. Through the observation of the signing of the Agreement on Environmental Goods, the elimination of tariff barriers concludes to be not sufficient for the adhesion of developing countries. Additionally, a highly beneficial effect on Spain is reported, due to the large number of exports of environmental goods performed annually. With this in mind, it is expected that environmental services and the removal of non-tariff barriers will be comprised in the Agreement in the near future

    Carbon Emission Policies in Key Economies

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    The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a study on the ‘effective’ carbon prices that result from emissions and energy reduction policies in Australia and other key economies (the UK, USA, Germany, New Zealand, China, India, Japan and South Korea). The Commissions research report, released 9 June 2011, provides a stocktake of the large number of policy measures in the electricity generation and road transport sectors of the countries studied. And it provides estimates of the burdens associated with these policies in each country and the abatement achieved. While the results are based on a robust methodology, data limitations have meant that some estimates could only be indicative. More than 1000 carbon policy measures were identified in the nine countries studied, ranging from (limited) emissions trading schemes to policies that support particular types of abatement technology. While these disparate measures cannot be expressed as an equivalent single price on greenhouse gas emissions, all policies impose costs that someone must pay. The Commission has interpreted ‘effective’ carbon prices broadly to mean the cost of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — the ‘price’ of abatement achieved by particular policies. The estimated cost per unit of abatement achieved varied widely, both across programs within each country and in aggregate across countries. The relative cost effectiveness of price-based approaches is illustrated for Australia by stylised modelling that suggests that the abatement from existing policies for electricity could have been achieved at a fraction of the cost. The estimated price effects of supply-side policies have generally been modest, other than for electricity in Germany and the UK. Such price uplifts are of some relevance to assessing carbon leakage and competitiveness impacts, but are very preliminary and substantially more information would be required.carbon pricing; cost abatement; greenhouse gas emissions; abatement technology; carbon policy; energy reduction policy; emissions trading scheme; carbon leakage

    Environmental Improvement Potentials of Meat and Dairy Products

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    The report is a scientific contribution to the European Commission¿s Integrated Product Policy framework, which seeks to minimise the environmental degradation caused throughout the life cycle of products. This report first presents a systematic overview of the life cycle of meat and dairy products and their environmental impacts, covering the full food chain. It goes on to provide a comprehensive analysis of the improvement options that allow reducing the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle. Finally, the report assesses the different options regarding their feasibility as well as their potential environmental and socioeconomic benefits and costs. The report shows that meat and dairy products contribute on average 24% to the environmental impacts from the total final consumption in EU-27, while constituting only 6% of the economic value. The main improvement options were identified in agricultural production, in food management by households (avoidance of food wastage), and related to power savings. When all environmental improvement potentials are taken together, the aggregated environmental impacts (external costs) of meat and dairy products may be reduced by about 20%.JRC.J.2-Competitiveness and Sustainabilit

    Guidebook "How to Develop a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)"

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    The purpose of the present guidebook is to help the Covenant of Mayors signatories to reach the commitments they have taken by signing the Covenant, and in particular to prepare within the year following their official adhesion a Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) and a Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). BEI is a prerequisite to SEAP elaboration, as it will provide knowledge of the nature of the entities emitting CO2 on the municipality's territory, and will thus help select the appropriate actions. Inventories conducted in later years will allow determining if the actions provide sufficient CO2 reductions and if further actions are necessary. The current guidebook provides detailed step-by-step recommendations for the entire process of elaborating a local energy and climate strategy, from initial political commitment to implementation. It is divided into 3 parts: · Part I relates to the description of the overall SEAP process and covers the strategic issues; · Part II gives guidance on how to elaborate the Baseline Emission Inventory; · Part III is dedicated to the description of technical measures that can be implemented at local level by the local authority in the different sectors of activity; The guidebook provides a flexible but coherent set of principles and recommendations. The flexibility will allow local authorities to develop a SEAP in a way that suits their own circumstances, permitting those already engaged in energy and climate action to come on board of the Covenant of Mayors, while continuing to follow the approaches they have used before with as little adjustments as possible. This document is intended to help beginner towns/cities/regions to initiate the process and guide them through it. It should also provide experienced local authorities with answers to specific questions they are faced with in the context of the Covenant of Mayors, and if possible, with some fresh and new ideas on how to proceed.JRC.DDG.F.8-Renewable Energy (Ispra
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