Assessing the market for solar photovoltaic (PV) microgrids in Malawi

Access to energy is widely acknowledged as an enabler for development, and a lack of energy is a barrier to economic empowerment. Currently just 12% of the Malawian population have access to the national electricity grid, with rural electrification at only 5.3%. Solar photovoltaic (PV) microgrids offer increased access levels over pico-solar systems and solar-home systems, and are a successful rural electrification method in many areas of Africa. This paper addresses the research question of: "what is the market potential for solar microgrids in Malawi?" through a multidisciplinary methodology and outlines necessary steps to overcome the key risks and barriers for implementation nationally. Case studies of existing initiatives in Kenya and Rwanda have been used to inform a system and business design appropriate to Malawi. The market potential of PV microgrids in Malawi has been identified and quantified through a novel approach combining microgrid optimisation software HOMERPro with Geographic Information Systems tools. The methodology also includes an energy ecosystem mapping exercise to identify and frame influencing parameters affecting microgrid implementation nationally. The findings show that solar microgrids are cost competitive with diesel microgrids in all locations in Malawi, although the addition of dispatchable diesel generation may provide economic benefits in larger, more urban systems. To implement solar microgrids would cost approximately $210 per person and average operational expenses of$17 per person per year. It was determined that 42% of Malawians may be most cost effectively served by existing infrastructure, 37% would be best served by microgrids and 21% would be best served by solar-home systems

Is there still a role for small wind in rural electrification programmes?

In the right context, Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) can offer a valuable complement to solar photovoltaics (PV) or diesel generators, offering diversity in power generation sources and the potential for local manufacture. However, the biggest challenges facing small wind are the high variability in the wind resource (in both space and time) and the high maintenance requirements of SWTs. What is more, PV prices have fallen dramatically in the last decade, resulting in the proliferation of an array of desirable and highly modular solar solutions, such as solar lanterns and Solar Home Systems (SHS). Consequently, outside of high wind regions, SWTs are now rarely directly economically competitive against solar PV. Going forward, SWTs are still likely to have a role to play, but in niche contexts and as a complimentary addition to hybridise solar PV or diesel systems, rather than as a standalone alternative. Market assessments are an essential first step to determine the relative viability of PV-wind or wind-diesel hybrid systems with PV or diesel systems in particular contexts. In favourable regions, the high maintenance requirements of SWTs can be tackled by providing stable institutional support to empower local champions, establish a decentralised maintenance network and foster the development of a local small wind industry. End users and local technicians should be empowered to carry out as much maintenance as they are able/willing to, especially in remote regions, where frequent long maintenance trips are likely to lead small wind electrification programmes to failure. Sustainable business models should focus on productive applications and addressing the weaknesses of diesel and/or solar generation through hybridisation

A global market assessment methodology for small wind in the developing world

Locally Manufactured Small Wind Turbines (LMSWTs) are growing in recognition as a means for rural electrification, and for meeting sustainability and poverty reduction targets set by the UN. This assessment is intended to inform governments and supranational entities where best to invest in order to meet these UN targets and improve the quality of life for millions of people in rural areas. This paper outlines the methodology used in the market assessment and discusses how the information and results are processed in order to achieve a robust ranking system for all countries included. Preliminary results are included and discussed

An assessment of the off-grid small wind power potential in Nepal

Nepal has an abundance of renewable resources, especially in rural areas where energy demand is still overwhelmingly met by traditional biomass. This paper considers the potential for small scale wind turbines (SWTs) to meet the electrical demand of rural communities in Nepal, as assessed through a GIS-based methodology and considerations of the broader enabling environment. Various datasets are processed in order to generate a map of where small wind is estimated to be a viable off-grid technology. The paper also discusses the anticipated barriers and opportunities available to small wind technology

Poverty mapping in sub Saharan Africa using night time light pollution

Night Time Light data from satellite imagery can give an indication of access to electricity, a key developmental enabler as recognised by UN Sustainable Development Goal 7. Given the well documented relationship between energy access and economic development, this paper investigates the relationship between night time light pollution and poverty in Sub Saharan Africa. Night time lights could offer an alternative, quick and visually impactful method of identifying under-developed areas, and facilitate more optimal allocation of resources. This paper details the methods employed to define the relationship between poverty and night time lights and to understand any influential factors in the correlation, the results of which are also discussed. The results showed that under certain circumstances Night Time Light pollution can be used as a proxy for poverty in Sub Saharan Africa. Factors such as the resolution and zoning of data and the type of indicator used to represent development all had an impact on the accuracy of Night Time Lights as a poverty proxy

Another history of museums: from the discourse to the museum-piece

The history of museums could get inspired on the procedures of material studies and of Anthropology in order to take a new stand and move away from the institutional approach and consider the approach of objects traditionally labelled as museum objects. The socalled “museum pieces” are supposed to have a number of characteristics, particularly some great historical and artistic qualities, sometimes an heritage quality, but above all the ability to make “friends” around the community or around the world. In all these respects, it is proposed here a number of research procedures that may supplement or enrich the directions usually assigned to the history of institutions