TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACTS OF “MUNDANE” SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

TECHNOLOGIES (ASETS)

VIENNA ENERGY FORUM 2011

Lakshman Guruswmay, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Energy & Environmental Security

Nicholas Doman Professor of Law, University of Colorado

ACCESS TO ENERGYAPPLAUD UN FOR DECLARING 2012

YEAR OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL

SALUTE DR. YUMKELLA, PRADEEP MONGA AND THE DEDICATED UNIDO STAFF FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE

TARGET OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR ALL BY 2030 IS TO BE ACCLAIMED

COST HOWEVER IS DAUNTING

COSTS INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY (IEA)

ESTIMATES IT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL 36 BILLION PER YEAR

OTHERS HAVE STATED THIS IS A UNDERESTIMATE

COSTS COULD BE MORE IN THE RANGE OF 60 -100 BILLION PER YEAR

BUT EVEN AND ADDITIONAL 36 BILLION FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS IS VERY DIFFICULT

NEED A PLAN FOR THOSE WHO WILL NOT BE REACHED BY ELECTRIFICATION

The energy poor encompass between a billion and a quarter and three billion people who do not have access to beneficial energy

for their cooking, illumination, or mechanical needs.

THE ENERGY POOR

APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY (ASETS)Non Fossil Fuel Based Sustainable

DevelopmentUses Decentralized, Renewable Energy

SourcesLow in Capital CostsWithin Cultural and Social Comfort

Levels; Accentuates Indigenous Knowledge

Promotes local InnovationUses Local MaterialsEncourages Participatory Development

MUNDANE/ SUSTAINABLE MUNDANE/ SUSTAINABLE SCIENCESCIENCE

Energy Poor (EP) trapped in poverty, poor health, social instability & lack of economic development

Energy critical to sustainable human development in Low Energy Societies, BUT

“Sustainable” energy does not equate to modern technologies like fusion (ITER), carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), next generation biofuels or commercial energy

LEAP FROGGING IS DIFFICULT

ASETSASETSCooking Efficient cook-stoves, charcoal,

biogas, passive solar

Water Filtration and Heating

Swach (Tata) water filter passive solar, desalination, fog-collection, rainwater harvesting

Agricultural Technology

Improved plows, sustainable farming practices, passive solar greenhouses

Irrigation Drip irrigation systems, treadle-pumps, ram-pumps, rope-pumps, play pumps

Draft Animal Technology

Improved harnesses, feed systems

Lighting Multifunctional biodiesel platforms, hand-held solar-lamps, mini-electric

Transportation Local biodiesel, mechanical enhancement, improved cart-and wheel design

Waste Management Composting, pit latrines, urine-diversion dehydration toilets

Housing Improved construction practices, solar thermal heating

Local Electric Wind-belt micro-wind, micro-hydro, small-solar

Human Power Improvement

Round-abouts, gear-driven shell-crackers

ASETSASETS

ASETS: TREADLE PUMP

ASETS: TREADLE PUMP

ASETS: DRAFT ANIMAL WATER PUMP

ASETS : PLAYPUMP

WATER PLAYGO ROUND

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES1) The current lack of cohesive collaboration networks representing different types of ASETs is an obstacle to efficient growth of the sector due to unnecessary waste and duplication of financial and human resources. Quality standards and certification procedures are also missing from this sector.  (2) Stakeholders must determine how to address the challenge of presenting compelling information and promoting awareness of the negative impacts of energy poverty.

 (3) Stakeholders must determine how to address the behavioral issues associated with successful deployment of ASETs, while simultaneously respecting human dignity and cultural concerns

STAKEHOLDERS 

Include:•Representatives for ASET end-users•Designers of ASETs•Manufactures of ASETs•Development organizations•Foundations•Governments•Entrepreneurs (all levels)•Finance/Banking

PRIORITY AREAS• Cooking and Heating

(includes clean fuels and insulation)

• Water Access and Sanitation

• Illumination• Motive Energy

(includes agricultural needs, transportation, and basic mechanical energy)

APPROPRIATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (ASETS)

EMPHASIZESIntegrated Approaches to Complex Systems

Socio-political and socio-cultural realities

Practical ResultsSustainable DevelopmentAppropriate Sustainable Energy Technologies (ASETs)

PARTNERSHIP FOR RELIEF OF ENERGY POVERTY