ACCESS Productive Uses

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Questions? Comments?

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What: definition, context, and current obstacles/knowledge gaps

Productive uses of energy can be defined as the use of energy to power activities that result in income for the community and its individuals. In this case, the source of electricity or thermal energy will ideally be from a sustainable source, specifically relating to decentralized energy systems that have proven to be a more feasible solution to energy access than grid extension. There are many categories and definitions of productive uses; therefore this portal helps readers gain exposure to the possibilities and extent of productive uses.

Subtopics

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  The productive use portal on energypedia offers articles related to productive energy use:
• Productive Use of Electricity (e.g. lighting, business-specific electric devices, electric tools, etc.)
• Productive Use of Mechanical Energy (e.g. water supply, agriculture, natural resource extraction, etc.)
  
• Productive Use of Thermal Energy (e.g. cooking, drying, baking, cooling, etc.)
• Productive use of energy for rural development
• Productive use of electricity from mini-grids
• Productive use of solar PV and Productive Use of PicoPV
• Productive use of micro-hydro power (e.g. in Afghanistan)
• Productive use of thermal solar
• Productive use of biogas (e.g. in Kenya)
• Energy value chains of crops and commodities (see Energy for Agriculture)
  
  • Milling as a Productive Application in Green Mini-Grid (GMG) Systems
  • Ice-Making as a Productive Application in Green Mini-Grid (GMG) Systems

• Community uses of energy (schools, health centers, etc.)
  
• Enhancing Access to Financial Services for Productive Use Projects
  

Knowledge Gaps

• Community uses of energy (schools, health centers, etc.)
  
• Skills required on the ground, Entrepreneurs (and how CSOs can partner with the right implementers), market linkages (how do we ensure there is a market for the goods produced, how do we partner with livelihood NGOs etc.)