AN INTRODUCTION

Local Energy Launch PadLE LP

AN INTRODUCTION
www.localenergy.info

Sydney office: Unit 7 242 Rainbow St Coogee, NSW 2034 Australia M: 61.402 298 569T: 61.2.9664 2252

London office: 2 Chignell Place West Ealing London W13 0TJ T: 44.20.8840 3222 F: 44.20.8579.7439

LE LP

The Local Energy Launch Pad (LELP) aims to bridge the gap between the information and expertise that is currently available on local sustainable energy solutions, and the people who are actually making things happen on the ground
The need:The experience base and learnings from local sustainable energy projects needs to be shared with other local implementers of sustainable developmentBut local implementers do not commonly have access to modern information infrastructure and generally do not have background to sift through that information for what they really needWhat the Local Energy Launch Pad will provide:An interactive tool which connects local implementers with the right information, compiled and presented based on their situation, objectives, and local characteristicsStructured and thorough needs assessment to help people decide what is best for them and their local situationGuidelines for planning of integrated energy systems, assessing the impact on the community, and tips on how to manage and implement the projectRelevant case examples, information on successful models and descriptions of the key issues to considerPartnerships with the Peoples Choice Integrated Rural Energy System project, the Integrated Renewable Energy Models initiative, and the Global Village Energy Partnership

LE LP

The issue is not simply providing access to sustainable energy information, it is tailoring that information and advice to the specific local context, including the resources and abilities of the local implementers
Needs AssessmentCollected by regional experts and trained local specialistsOr done online if possibleStructured questionnaire What is the situation now?What are our objectives?
Delivery of Implementation Tools, Information & AdviceDelivered by trained local specialistsTailored to the capabilities and resources available Enabling information to make it happenGuidelines for planning, assessment and project implementationRelevant case examplesKey issues to consider and how they have been addressed by others
Knowledge base Experience base Links to experts and implementers Links to finance & materials suppliers
Community heads, local authority coordinators, local NGO activists, concerned citizens working with experienced implementers and trained local specialists to help the people decide what they need and how the community can make it happen
Information and advice from the sustainable energy global community, sourced from data clearing houses, capacity building programs, and local experts, tailored to the specific local context as defined in the needs assessment, and delivered in a format that can be understood and used by the local implementer
The key is tailoring the information so that it is relevant, understandable and useful to the people who are actually implementing sustainable energy systems at the local grass-roots level
Expert system linking pieces of information based on defined rules and associations

Web interface with dedicated staff to gather the right information, tap implementation expertise from around the world and check output

LE LP

A thorough Needs Assessment provides a number of indicators of the current situation and the specific local context
Current energy resources used
Lighting:Cooking:Heating:Transport:Etc
Primary
Secondary
Resources available
SunRiver waterWindForest woodOther biomassEtc
CoalElectric gridGas pipelineDiesel/petrolParaffin/keroseneEtc
Community characteristics
$
Income available for energy spend:
Is gender a factor in energy supply and usage?
Yes
No
Current housing situation:
Mud hut
Brick
Etc
Local political stability
High
Meduim
Low
__ , __
Current income generating activities:
Primary
Secondary
Organisations currently providing aid:

LE LP

and identifying the objectives of the local implementer together provide an initial set of criteria for selecting relevant implementation models, lessons from other sustainable energy projects and links to experts that can help
Main objectives
1.2.3.4.
Secondary criteria
1.2.3.4.
Project timing and scale
Time scale available
Months
Years
Scale of project and reach
Individual
Household / Small business
Community
300
Population
Geographic area

LE LP

The proposed approach (initial steps to implementation)
Phase 1 : Initial ResearchWhat is out there already in energy and other sectors? Phase 2 : Build Consensus on the VisionIdentify stakeholders and potential partnersEngage them with the vision Phase 3 : Refine Action Plan and Build PartnershipsDevelop detailed proposal and action plan for implementationSecure resource commitments Phase 4 : Implement and DevelopBuild project infrastructureImplement initial version with feedback mechanismsIncrementally develop the program

LE LP

Action plan for Phase 1 : Initial Research
Action : Research on what exists alreadyBy who : Randeep Bindra (UK) & Rob Fowler (Australia)When : September October 2002Resources :Internet accessCommunicationsMan days for research and project developmentCo-operation from other programs and organisationsPartners :Stakeholder ForumUS Department of EnergyEskom Renewables, South AfricaGlobal Village Energy Partnership?