Frugal energy innovations for developing countries – a framework

Abstract

Frugal innovations have recently emerged to feature low‐cost technologies and business innovations to serve consumers in emerging markets and improve their quality of life. Although the concept of frugality is well known, the present literature on frugal energy innovations, or energy frugality, is scarce, which could lead to overlooking its true characteristics. Therefore, we propose a framework for defining energy frugality based on a detailed analysis of several low‐cost sustainable energy technologies. The five‐criteria assessment method developed will help to identify potential frugal energy innovations and will increase the adoption of these technologies through better matching to local needs. Fuel‐efficient biomass cooking stoves, small‐scale photovoltaic systems, and pico‐grids are examples of such frugal energy technologies.

The rise and fall of green growth: Korea's energy sector experiment and its lessons for sustainable energy policy

“…Renewable energy gained recognition and elevated importance for the first time in the Korean energy development. The GEG strategy's top priority was to significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the national fuel mix for electricity generation because renewables offer a potential to lead to significant social change since their use can mean a major decentralization of the energy system and, importantly, its governance (Byrne & Toly, ; Glover, ; Goldemberg, Johansson, Reddy, & Williams, ; Goldthau, ; Khavul & Bruton, ; Lovins, ; Numminen & Lund, ; Zeschky, Widenmayer, & Gassmann, ). Glover () observes that a social goal of renewable energy development lies in realizing autonomy for users and for communities who can tailor policies to local needs.…”

“…Paradigm shift was supposed to yield a different outcome. The energy system was supposed to be rebuilt to focus on socially valuable ends such as local development, equitable distribution of economic benefits, and governance based on democratic involvement of citizens rather than simply consumers (Beermann & Tews, ; Bulkeley & Fuller, ; Byrne et al, ; Byrne & Taminiau, ; Byrne & Toly, ; Cities, ; Dobbs, Wheldon, & Sharma, ; Glover, ; Goldemberg et al, ; Goldthau, ; Koirala, Koliou, Friege, Hakvoort, & Herder, ; Numminen & Lund, ; Ostrom, ; Piggot, ; Späth & Rohracher, ; Zeschky et al, ).…”

Transforming rural light and dark under planetary urbanisation: Comparing ordinary countrysides in India and the UK

“…Despite evidence that many people give more importance to other forms of electrification (Kumar, ), lighting is a key marker of development. In the last decade, many western for‐profit and not‐for‐profit actors have “experimented” with various forms of lighting provisions based around solar‐powered LED lamps (Adkins et al., ), as well as more innovative projects such as “Litre of Light” (Numminen & Lund, ). These have sought to provide lighting without connecting homes to national grids, avoiding conflict with other demands of electrification.…”

Power to the People

“…There have been a number of studies on Boond's products and services in recent years. These previous studies have been conducted mainly from business sustainability, economics and engineering perspectives (D'Agostino, Lund, & Urpelainen, 2016;Numminen & Lund, 2016;Urpelainen & Yoon, 2016) using quantitative methods, such as surveys, computer systems monitoring and literature reviews. Consequently, a solid body of knowledge on the system performance, business viability, and technology innovation has been developed.…”