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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/G063826/1
Title Decentralised off-grid electricity generation in developing countries: Business models for off-grid electricity supply
Status Completed
Energy Categories Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electric power conversion) 50%;
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 50%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 50%;
Applied Research and Development 50%;
Science and Technology Fields SOCIAL SCIENCES (Economics and Econometrics) 25%;
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Development Studies) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 25%;
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences) 25%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Systems Analysis related to energy R&D 25%;
Systems Analysis related to energy R&D (Energy modelling) 25%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions) 10%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour) 15%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Technology acceptance) 15%;
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Other sociological economical and environmental impact of energy) 10%;
Principal Investigator Dr SC Bhattacharyya
No email address given
Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP)
University of Dundee
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 20 October 2009
End Date 31 August 2012
Duration 34 months
Total Grant Value £1,533,303
Industrial Sectors Energy
Region Scotland
Programme Energy : Energy
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Dr SC Bhattacharyya , Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), University of Dundee (99.997%)
  Other Investigator Professor P Cook , Environment and Development, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Dr KM Nadvi , Environment and Development, University of Manchester (0.001%)
Professor T Muneer , Engineering and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India (0.000%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract As 80% of about 1.6 billion people who lacked access to electricity in the world in 2005 reside in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and given the importance of energy in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) of the countries and thereby general welfare of the population, this proposal aims at developing innovative solutions to the problem through an interdisciplinary research involving UK and South Asian (Indian) universities, NGOs, government agencies, financing institutions,and other stakeholders. We propose to take a systematic view of the problem by considering the local resource availability, appropriate technology choices, institutional arrangements, and financing options and to demonstrate cost-effective and viable options through a demonstration project in a selectedarea of South Asia. We would also analyse the scaling-up and mainstreaming of the off-grid business delivery models and recommend enabling conditions for a wider implementation of such solutions.This research proposal is based on the premise that the solution strategy has to promote innovative solutions as opposed to prescribing standard templates for adoption and that each rural area will havetosearch for its own solutionsa) By focusing on the creation of opportunities for higher income generation in monetary terms. Unless money flow increases to the poor, commercial energies stand little chance of competing with traditional energies.b) by developing local energy markets takinginto account the specificities of local energy situation resources, needs, capacities, strengths and constraints and adopting appropriate supply mechanisms and organizational structures to cater to the local needs.c) by selective and judicious use of market interventions to make energy supply affordable but ensuring financial viability of energy supply. Unless the supply is financially viable, it cannot be sustained.d) by ensuring local community participation in the decision-making and policyimplementation process.Deriving from the above premise, this research will focus on hybrid, multi-functional technological platforms using innovative participatory delivery mechanisms (such as franchisees, licensees, co-operatives or other local enterprise models) and alternative funding options (e.g. micro-finance, capital grants, subsidies, fee-based systems). Two main research questions are as follows:(1) Are there cost-effective, secure and reliable local off-grid electricity supply solutions that can meet the present and future needs and are socially acceptable, institutionally viable and environmentally desirable?(2) Do these local solutions have the scaling-up and replication potentials and can these solutions be brought to the mainstream for wider electricity access in the developingworld?We are proposing an inter-disciplinary work programme spanning over a period of five years that will be conducted by a Consortium led by the University of Dundee. The work is organised around two main themes (Theme 1: local level solutions, Theme 2: Replicable generic models) and each theme revolves around two work packages (WP) as described below, with a total of 5 packages. At each work packagelevel, we shall pay specific attention to capacity building, cross-referencing and cross-learning, dissemination of the research outcomes and policy translation of academic research. These four cross-cutting elements run across the entire programme.We are specifically focusing on South Asia where the largest concentration of people without energy access can be found. The diversity of local conditions found in the South Asian region provides a rich comparative base for analysing decentralised off-grid electricity supply provisions. The consortium partners have excellent research and project track records in this area and our serious inter-disciplinary research programme aims to provide lasting solutions to the energy and development problems
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 12/08/09