Husk Power Systems: Bringing Light to Rural India and Tapping Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Gupta, Rakesh; Pandit, Ajay; Nirjar, Abhishek; Gupta, Prashant

doi:10.1177/0972820113493690

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…HPS uses abundant rice husk waste to power a small biomass gasifier and significantly reduces kerosene and diesel use [24]. In addition to the fact that HPS takes advantage of biomass waste, it effectively utilizes the side-stream of its process [24]. On the contrary, SELCO recycles the used lead-acid batteries as part of the service contract [25], which is very important due to the harmful substances they contain.…”

Section: Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, HPS supports the education of local children and the training of teachers by financial and other means [36]. Better health is strongly related to a reduction in the indoor pollution that was produced by kerosene lamps, while HPS also provides medical cover to its employees [24]. In part, having electric lights at home also improves learning opportunities and education, as children can study later in the evening.…”

Section: Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[46] Is the frugal innovation more material efficient, e.g., recyclable or reusable, than the existing solution? 0 [24,36,39] "On an average, each power plant replaced 40,000 litres of kerosene and 18,000 litres of diesel every year." " .…”

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The char could be used to manufacture incense sticks, a process which generated employment for rural women." [24] Is the frugal innovation more climate neutral than the existing solution? + [27,36,39] "Kerosene savings cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 125 tonnes/year CO 2 equivalent per plant (assessed as part of CDM certification)."…”

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[34] Does the frugal innovation enable better health or improve access to education? + [24,34,35] "In 2011 HPS set up Husk Power University in partnership with the Shell Foundation and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The university is a training program for mechanics and mid-level managers."…”

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Frugal innovations are often associated with sustainable development. These connections, however, are based on anecdotal assumptions rather than empirical evidence. This article evaluates the sustainability of four frugal innovations from water and energy sectors. For the purposes of the evaluation, a set of indicators was developed. Indicators are drawn from sustainable development goals by the United Nations and they encompass central dimensions of sustainability: ecological, social and economic. In this article, frugal innovations are compared to solutions that are currently used in similar low-income contexts. Studied frugal innovations were found more sustainable in terms of energy production and water purification capacity than the existing solutions. In terms of social sustainability, larger differences between innovations were found. For example, business models of frugal energy solutions focus on capacity building and the inclusion of marginalized low-income people, whereas business models of water purification solutions focus on more traditional corporate social responsibility activities, such as marketing awareness campaigns and cooperation with non-governmental organizations. Three major sustainability challenges for frugal innovators were identified: (1) the proper integration of material efficiency into product or service systems; (2) the patient promotion of inclusive employment; and (3) the promotion of inclusive and sustainable local industrialization. The article concludes that despite indisputable similarities between frugality and sustainability, it is problematic to equate the two conceptually.

show abstract

Section: Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Supporting Arguments Ecologicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Frugal energy innovations for developing countries – a framework

Numminen

Lund

2016

Global Challenges

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Sustainable Business Models of Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems: Two Resource-Scarce Approaches for Design and Manufacturing

Lyytinen

2017

Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Husk Power Systems: Bringing Light to Rural India and Tapping Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Abstract: Lighting over 200 villages through de-centralized power plants, impacting 200,000 people's lives and counting -Acumen Fund.

Cited by 19 publications

References 0 publications

Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations

Implications of Frugal Innovations on Sustainable Development: Evaluating Water and Energy Innovations

Frugal energy innovations for developing countries – a framework

Sustainable Business Models of Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems: Two Resource-Scarce Approaches for Design and Manufacturing

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About