We argued in previous chapters that Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) generation is a promising approach towards sustainable energy for All. Aside, we described the Sustainable Product-Service System (S.PSS) model, as promising one towards sustainable development, even in low-and middle-income contexts. In this chapter, we describe the application of the Sustainable Product-Service System (S.PSS) to Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) as a win-win opportunity for the diffusion of sustainable energy, even in low-and middle-income contexts. It is clear that we need to undergo a paradigm shift in the way we produce, supply and use the energy. Indeed, to reach the shift, will by coupling the two models, mean to: shift from centralised and non-renewable energy system to distributed renewable energy systems, in which the user can be the prosumer (consumer + producer) of her/his energy with small generator units nearby or at the point of use sourced by sun, wind and all other forms of renewable energy. Furthermore, in case of energy systems, the shift from individual ownership consumption to Sustainable Product-Service System would entail that: • would be a model where the providers retain the ownership or at least some responsibilities over the life cycle of the small generator unit (of renewable energy) and eventually of the products that use the electricity, i.e. the Energy-Using Products/Equipment (EUP, EUE); • customers pay per use/period, thus reducing/avoiding the (initial) investment cost of the small energy generator unit and eventually of the Energy-Using Products/Equipment;

Until now the discussion on resilience has mainly adopted technical, economic, functional points of view. This paper assumes that, even though these approaches are important and necessary, they are not enough. If resilience must be a characterizing feature of every potential future society, its cultural dimension must be considered too. In order to make a contribution in this direction, the paper introduces the notions of distributed systems and cosmopolitan localism and discusses the possibility of using design tools to connect and reinforce them. It also observes that both distributed systems and cosmopolitan localism can be recognized in the growing wave of social innovations we are witnessing worldwide. Building on them, the paper concludes outlining an emerging design scenario, the SLOC scenario, and the new cultural fabric needed to implement it.

Some authors adopt a more stringent definition of Design for Sustainability: e.g. Tischner [113] argues that Design for Sustainability requires generating solutions that are equally beneficial to the society and communities around us (especially unprivileged and disadvantaged populations), to the natural environment, and to economic systems (globally but especially locally).

Green Energy and TechnologyOpen Access This book is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this book are included in the book's Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the book's Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer International Publishing AG part of Springer Nature The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Foreword IIt gives me great honour and privilege to contribute with the foreword for this book, as a collaboration between Africa and Europe towards sustainable energy for All. The book is a transdisciplinary text with the latest knowledge-base, know-how and experiences in sustainable energy for All system development and design. Indeed, it presents the key role of design in providing sustainable energy solutions to human society in its quest for continuous improvement and socioeconomic development.Africa is blessed with a variety of sustainable energy resources, including solar, hydropower, wind, mini/micro hydro and geothermal resources. However, lack of access to adequate and sustainable energy services remains one of the major constraints to economic development on the continent. We, therefore, urgently need to encourage and incentivize our scientists, researchers and research institutions, businesses and industries, supported by development partners and governments, to invest more in research, education, curricula development and designing feasible and bankable renewable energy projects, that will enable Africa to exploit and utilise the continent's vast energy resources for social economic development. From the...

In the previous chapter, we introduced that Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) is the most promising model to bring sustainable energy to All. Figure 2.1 schematizes the paradigm shift from non-renewable/centralised energy generation systems to renewable/distributed energy generation unit. Let us see better why DRE is environmentally, socioethically and economically sustainable compared with the dominant centralised and non-renewable energy generation systems. Environmental benefits of DRE If we look at centralised and non-renewable systems, namely, large-scale plants using fossil fuels as oil and coke, they are environmentally unsustainable because they are based on exhausting resources, so forth fastening resources depletion. Furthermore, these exhausting resources result in high greenhouse gases emission (CO 2 emissions), through several processes along their life cycle, which determine global warming. Finally, they are responsible for other pollution problem during extraction and transportation processes due to their linking. If we now look at renewable and distributed resources, such as small-scale solar and wind generation units, they are more environmentally sustainable because they use locally available and renewable energy sources, thus resulting in a reduced environmental impact compared to the various processes of extraction, transformation and distribution of fossil fuels. Furthermore, they have much lower greenhouse gases emissions in use. To conclude, compared to centralised systems, local energy production and distribution increase reliability and reduce distribution losses. Socioethical and economic benefits of DRE Centralised systems are unsustainable even in socioethical and economic terms. This comes because, due to the composition of oil and coke, they are very complex