Category:Community Questions

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Welcome to the energypedia community answers (ECA)!

Community Questions and Answers

This is our portal where you can post your questions and look for answers others have posted relating to energy! Scroll down to see the recent questions and the related answers.


Open Questions

Below you find a list of current open questions. Please feel free to answer any of the questions below. If you think your experience can contribute, please allow all energypedia users to read about it. Simply click on the relevant question, click on "edit with form" to give your input in form of texts, publications and links to existing articles. Thank you very much!

Question in detail
Topics
Country
Answer
Creation Date
User
Is the presence of or belief in a high-quality after-sales service a decisive argument for the purchasing decision? What about warranties? Energy Access Worldwide
28.04.2017 *****
How does the increasing reliance on micro-finance and banking impact communities? Financing and Business Models Worldwide
28.06.2017 *****
How do people assess quality of picoPV products? Do they read and understand labels? Impacts Worldwide
28.06.2017 *****
Can somebody help me peer review an outline I wrote for a paper. It is about using standardization tools (IEC 62257:2015) in rural electrification projects in Colombia. I will forward the outline if people are interested. Muchas gracias! Energy Access Colombia
12.09.2018 *****
Does more lights and warm water lead to better hygiene? Impacts on Health: Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
28.06.2017 *****
Is there an experience monitoring sales behaviours before and after adjusting the design to a user-centred approach based on the context/ current conditions? Energy Access Worldwide
19.05.2017 *****
To what extent are emissions and exposure from kerosene lamps reduced through solar lamps? Impacts on Health: Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
28.06.2017 *****
To which degree to people retain and continue to use traditional systems (dry-cell batteries, mobile phone charging services, kerosene lanterns) even after purchasing a picoPV system? Energy Access Worldwide
28.04.2017 *****

Questions with Answers

Below you find a list of questions that already have been answered. Energypedia users have helped to answer those. In case you want to add more information, please feel free to edit the answer page by clicking on the corresponding link to give more information on the topic or insert a link to an article that explains the question.

Question in detail
Topics
Country
Answer
Creation Date
User
How is the milk transported from small scale farmers to the markets? Is there an option with solar energy? Solar Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
What is the current state for off-grid appliance markets? Other Worldwide
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    PicoPv, TV, refrigerators, fans and appliances for productive use: see linked article.
20.02.2017 *****
How much energy is wasted or not used in the case of electricity flatrates? What is the impact of flatrates? Are there any studies and/or statistical data available regarding this topic? Impacts Worldwide
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    Flat rate tariffs, while convenient for both parties do have several downsides that make it unfair for different consumption patterns. The point at which a metered tariff becomes more financially viable than a flat tariff in a mini grid is case-dependent. See link
29.03.2017 *****
What is the permissible voltage drop in rural area distribution network? Mini-grid Worldwide
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    This question have been answered in the "Permissible Voltage Drop" article on energypedia.
20.02.2017 *****
Does the supply of energy increase the economic situation of an entire village or only of a few individuals? Impacts Worldwide
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    It is depends on the productive use of the supplied energy. For e.g: If there are multiple Medium Small & Micro Enterprises (MSME's) in a village then access to energy will uplift the economic status of the entire village, but if the productive use is less i.e. only few MSME's are operating then it will benefit the individuals.

This article (link) gives an overview of the economic impacts on individuals and on the community resulting from energy access through different technologies. However, further research is necessary to disclose if positive impact of energy access on a few extends to the others of a newly electrified community.

28.06.2017 *****
What impacts do different tariff systems have on the economic viability of a mini-grid? Mini-grid Worldwide
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    A well-designed tariff structure, which is appropriate to the respective mini-grid, will be able to generate a higher revenue by reducing the numbers of non-payments. See article
14.07.2017 *****
How do Governments decide what type of support mechanism works better: feed-in tariffs, or auctions, or both? Financing and Business Models Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
What are the latest in solar thermal energies? What are typical technologies? What types are there for households, for social institutions and for productive uses? Who is involved in this topic (companies, research institutes, national and international organizations, NGOs)? What are the typical costs for these technologies? Solar Worldwide
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    Find this information @ Solar Water Heaters and Solar Thermal Technologies (see links provided)
10.04.2017 *****
What is the effect of different tariff systems on the social cohesion of the village? Impacts Worldwide
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    The direct link between tariff systems and the social dynamics in a village/community however remains relatively untouched. So far, there haven't been studies on that topic. Find possible impacts within the article.
29.03.2017 *****
Do children, especially girls, go to school more often after the introduction of efficient cookstoves, or do they have to do other work during the saved time? Improved Cookstoves Worldwide
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    The article (link below) provides a thorough research among publications that deal with the topic of usage of schools outside of the regular school days due to access of electricity. As of now (2017), there are no studies that examine the impacts of electricity access of schools on other uses (outside of school main business teaching). Therefore, this article can only be a first attempt in collecting information on who uses electricity in schools after sunset. Please feel free to add your information
28.04.2017 *****
What types of risks are involved implementing an energy access project? Other Worldwide
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    Extensive list of risks organized in six sub-categories based on literature review and field experience in monitoring. With additional suggestions on how to minimize, mitigate or controll some of the riks during the life cycle of a project.

Explanation on how to prioritize risks according to the dimensions of their probability to occur and their impact potential.

Example of activities that can be carried out during a projects’ preparation as guidance on how to be aware of risks.

List of experiences applying de-risking approaches for rural electrification projects (mini-grids and hydro), as well as further reading about risks management for renewable energy systems.

20.02.2017 *****
To what extent is picoPV used for productive use? Does it lead to an increase in income? Productive Use Worldwide
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    Due to limited capacity, picoPV cannot be used to run high-voltage appliances but can help to generate income by providing services such as mobile phone charging.
28.04.2017 *****
What is the role of product design in people's purchasing decisions? Are there any studies and/or statistical data available regarding this topic? Energy Access Worldwide
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    Today’s different financial approaches have empowerd low-income households to not only base their purchasing decisions on their affordability but on form, functionality and quality of products, among other aspects. For example, when purchasing a product people place a high value to colour. However, in different markets the same colour might have various interpretations and/or associations, in consequence these need to be considered, particularly at the time of entering a new market and/or introducing a new product.

This article explains the concepts of democratic and user-centred design, lists feedback from users on design aspects of Pico PV and cookstoves, and points out a series of questions that have not been addressed yet.

29.03.2017 *****
What are the market trends for picoPV? Solar Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
What are the advantages and disadvantages for PAYGO approaches? Financing and Business Models Worldwide
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    Find an overview of the Advantages and Disadvantages of PAYGO. (Furthermore, an article about the PAYGO-"hype".)
20.02.2017 *****
What is the impact of mobile phone charging / access to communication by picoPV systems? Is this impact comparable to the impact of traditional, grid-based electrification? Impacts Worldwide
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    With the widespread penetration of mobile phones, mobile phone charging will become a priority for many rural consumers. Therefore, PicoPV kits with mobile charging can tap into this market and provide affordable and cheap solutions to the rural consumers. However, the kit needs to be calibrated to function properly with the different mobile phones. Since, lighting is the biggest demand of the rural consumers, there might not be enough charge left for charging the mobile phones and it is necessary to advise the users to charge their phones during the day or to devise picoPV with greater capacity. Also, there is a possiblity for mobile network providers and picoPV suppliers to collaborate together to promote the use of mobile phones via PicoPV kits with mobile charging units.
28.06.2017 *****
What steps do projects have in mind when developing energy projects in migration/refugee contexts? Energy Access Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
How to calculate efficiency variation with respect to head change? Hydropower 20.02.2017 *****
What is the impact of the picoPV trade on the market for candles and kerosene lamps? Energy Access Worldwide
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    Kerosene is currently the main lighting fuel, used by about 1.2 billion off-grid population of the world. However, kerosene is expensive, is not easily available and has negative effect on consumer’s health. On the other hand, PicoPV products are clean, healthy and cost-effective solution and has the potential to tap into kerosene market and replace it as a lighting fuel. The picoPV products have already begun to tap into the kerosene market. It is however important to research on what are the market barriers for proliferation of picoPV and how to avoid them.
28.04.2017 *****
What is the experience with locally-assembled systems? What impacts does this have on businesses and the local economy? Impacts Worldwide
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    See article in the link. Please provide your experiences with the topic!
28.04.2017 *****
How do other countries formulate the legal texts to lift import duties for solar products? Solar Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
Is bigger always best in renewable energy? Renewable Energy Worldwide
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    Economies of scales have their limits, and it depends more on who will own the power stations: Experiences from the USA.
20.02.2017 *****
What types of jobs are destroyed after a village is provided with access to modern energy sources? Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
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    Only very few studies focus on the loss or change in employment patterns. This article summarises the jobs that are potentially destroyed to energy access.
28.06.2017 *****
What is the impact of some people having access and others not within a community, for example to grids, mini-grids or solar? Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
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    The one article summarises the Economic impact on individuals and community through energy access. while the other one looks into rising inequalities. However, further research is still urgently necessary.
28.06.2017 *****
What is the income of actors in the value chain of different technologies? Impact on Income and Access to Finance: Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
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    In RE technology markets a wide range of business and distribution models can be found accommodating various actors. However, quantitative information on the different income levels is hardly available. Various studies on business models and market analyses exist, yet barely any of these examine income, profit margins or even revenue of the market players in detail. As mentioned above concerning retailers and entrepreneurs at the end of the chains the difficulties of obtaining this particular information are the various income generating activities carried out in parallel as well as the informality of the businesses. Regarding the actors further up the chain which are generally formal larger enterprises the issue here is probably reluctance to share internal information on revenue or profit of the company.

The two links lead to articles that try to summarize what information is available.

28.06.2017 *****
What are inclusive distribution strategies of different energy access initiatives? Financing and Business Models Worldwide
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    Find out more Inclusive Energy Distribution Strategies for Energy Access Programmes and Companies
20.02.2017 *****
Which norms can be applied to make rural electrification projects better suitable for evaluation? How can these norms be implemented? Mini-grid Colombia
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    Dear Johanna, let me share you the norms edited by AFSEC for African coutries. Best regards. Hary
03.09.2018 *****
What type of support mechanisms are there for hydropower: where do I find an overview for governments? Hydropower Worldwide
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    Policies are very important for microhydropower. Find an overview of resource collection at the following link:
20.02.2017 *****
Do hydro power plants protect the catchment areas and improve flood prevention? Are there any studies and/or statistical data available regarding this topic? Hydropower Worldwide
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    The maturity of hydro power plants technology as a way of harnessing cleaner energy means that a lot of experience has been gathered in this area. If designed and operated correctly this allows modern hydro power plants to control and prevent flooding as well as produce energy simultaneously. Smaller schemes still meet multiple challenges and have been shown to contribute towards flooding. This is possible due to small hydro’s effect on the bodies of water in the catchment area, changing their sedimentary flow and their cross-sectional areas in turn allowing flooding events to occur more easily. However, when carefully designed small scale hydro power plants do not necessary have to increase the risk of flooding and can in fact even be used to mitigate the risk.

Follow the link for more information as well as for an overview of studies published on this topic.

29.03.2017 *****
How does the global tracking framework looks like? Impacts Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
What types of entrepreneurs suffer the most/the least from lack of energy access? Do you know about any studies and/or statistical data available regarding causal chains of impact theories? Impacts Worldwide
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    This article discusses the link between energy access and productivity and seeks to determine the specific sectors or entrepreneurs that suffer a lot from lack of energy access and would therefore benefit the most from access to energy.
28.06.2017 *****
What does the "Energiewende" (energy transistion) mean for developing countries? Renewable Energy Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
Can we use cashew shells to generate electricity? Are there experiences? Productive Use Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
What are the economic costs of air pollution? Impacts Worldwide
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    Find out more at Indoor Air Pollution above.
20.02.2017 *****
Does using energy for productive uses will enhance social and economic development? What concrete evidence is there? Productive Use Worldwide
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    Nevertheless, to which extent access to modern energies truly impacts poverty reduction and entrepreneurial success remains unclear. Especially in rural areas the evaluation of the effective benefits of energy access is intricate. The productive uses of energy could certainly help to reach these goals, as many examples attest. However, systematic evidence of these outcomes and impacts is still limited and questions remain: Which complementary services are necessary to establish productive uses? Do productive uses of energy contribute to social and economic development? Why do many energy projects fall short to establish productive activities? Is there a tipping point for the amount of energy that will have the greatest impact? Which “productive” activities should be supported, and who will benefit?
27.06.2018 *****
How does crowdfunding for energy access products work? What types are there? What platforms are already out there? Who can participate? Who can invest and what do I get in return for my investment? Financing and Business Models Worldwide
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    Find our more about 5 types of Crowdfunding options and the role it may play for financing energy access projects.
12.07.2017 *****
Will more coal end energy poverty? Energy Efficiency
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    Not according to a position paper from various authors in Oct 2016: Beyond coal: more coal will enrich poverty see
20.02.2017 *****
Energy and Climate change - how are those topics correlated? Climate Change Worldwide
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    See this article on NAMAs and how they relate to energy topics
20.02.2017 *****
What are the advantages of citizen-owned energy projects? What is meant by "citizen energy" (Bürgerenergie)? Are those owned by cooperatives, community energy, locally owned utilities? What are the differences? Are they always pro-renewables? What are the disadvantages? Who has some experiences? For which technologies are they important? Impacts Worldwide
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    This articles summarises the definitions, dynamics and feasabilty of community power projects. Furthermore, it explains what type of support is need to scale up community power outreach. Examples are the German Energy Transition and the initiative to bring those experiences into project development in Africa.
28.06.2017 *****
What exactly is “blockchain” and what does it mean? How might it affect the future of energy systems? How can it contribute to energy access? How can communities profit from blockchain technology? Impacts Worldwide
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    Find definition and relation to Energy Access in the following articles:
28.06.2017 *****
Who uses electricity in schools after sunset? Energy Access Worldwide
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    As of now (2017), there are no studies that examine the impacts of electricity access of schools on other uses (outside of school main business teaching). Therefore, this article can only be a first attempt in collecting information on who uses electricity in schools after sunset.
28.04.2017 *****
How much would it cost to make electricity affordable to all people for society? What does it cost to be connected to the grid for individuals? Which measure of grid-electricity poverty, if any, is best correlated with access? Grid Worldwide
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    Find out more at Affordability of grid electricity
20.02.2017 *****
Is access to electricity linked to the development of productive use of electricity? Energy Access Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****
How do energy-poor people getaccess to finance? What different types of approaches are there? Financing and Business Models Worldwide 20.02.2017 *****

Pages in category "Community Questions"

The following 52 pages are in this category, out of 52 total.