Productive use Battery Charging Systems (BCS)
Overview
Although linking the topics "battery charging systems" (BCS) and "productive use" might, at first glance, not be immediately intuitive, there are some important points that justify this connection when taking a closer look. Most importantly, money that was previously used for buying kerosene can stay within the country when basic energy demand is supplied for by BCS. This way, employment opportunities and income generating activities are enhanced. When using a broad notion of the term "productive use" one certainly should consider the possibilities that lighting households have on productivity increases (e. g. for cottage industries).
Additionally, a shift in perspective towards the operator of a BCS seems promising when discussing productive use issues related to BCS. Here, certainly some creation of value takes place that enables the operator to use revenues in a productive way (e. g. when expanding business and creating employment possibilities). Therefore, the accumulated capital of the business operator will most likely be beneficial for the village.
Productive Use of Battery Charging Systems
A good example of productive use also provides the hypothetical case of an island system fed by renewable energies (designed for peak loads) that runs the whole day through and could therefore use its generating capacities in off-peak times (surplus) for charging batteries. This service, in turn, could be sold to villagers close by that do not have access to direct generating facilities. This business model could yield substantial mutual benefits.
Another aspect with regard to productive use of BCS is that, as a first step, it helps to promote Solar Home Systems (SHS) by gradually increasing the number of appliances used. This way, the market for the use of further appliances is developed.
BCS could also help to protect existing RE systems by avoiding excessive over use. Often, systems are damaged because additional batteries, not originally planned for in the set up, are recharged. By avoiding these negative implications through channeling demand for recharged batteries explicitly to BCS, lifetime of system components (and therefore money that can be productively used) can be prolonged.
Further Information
