The benefits of energy appliances in the off-grid energy sector based on seven off-grid initiatives in rural Uganda

Hirmer, Stephanie; Guthrie, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.152

Cited by 38 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The electrical consumption of the target users is often increasing with time, as the process of electrification itself contributes to greater energy needs because of improvement in living standards (Gustavsson 2007). It is therefore important for rural off-grid initiatives to enable communities to move beyond basic lighting and phone charging (Hirmer and Guthrie 2017). However, the complex causality of electricity access with socio-economic development significantly impacts energy modelling approaches, while most electrification impact assessments estimate a linear growth in electricity demand (Riva et al 2018).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stochastic load profile construction for the multi-tier framework for household electricity access using off-grid DC appliances

et al. 2018

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To improve access to electricity, decentralized, solar-based off-grid solutions like Solar Home Systems (SHSs) and rural micro-grids have recently seen a prolific growth. However, electrical load profiles, usually the first step in determining the electrical sizing of off-grid energy systems, are often nonexistent or unreliable, especially when looking at the hitherto un(der)-electrified communities. This paper aims to construct load profiles at the household level for each tier of electricity access as set forth by the multi-tier framework (MTF) for measuring household electricity access. The loads comprise dedicated offgrid appliances, including the so-called super-efficient ones that are increasingly being used by SHSs, reflecting the off-grid appliance market's remarkable evolution in terms of efficiency and price. This study culminated in devising a stochastic, bottom-up load The original version of this article was revised: Figure 5 image top right legends, the solid black line was defined "CF" and the broken blue line was described "CF" too. The figure image was updated to correct the mistake.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stochastic load profile construction for the multi-tier framework for household electricity access using off-grid DC appliances

et al. 2018

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“…Around 1.1 billion of the world's poorest people live entirely without access to electricity, another billion have only weak and unreliable access to the grid. Energy poverty depresses and delays social and economic development (Hirmer and Guthrie 2017). Increasingly, distributed clean energy technologies such as solar home systems (SHSs) and mini-grids are making it possible for people and businesses to access lifechanging modern energy for the first time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

State of play and innovations in off-grid refrigeration technology: lessons learned from current initiatives

et al. 2019

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Energy efficiency enables distributed off-grid renewable energy systems-from solar home systems to renewable micro-grids-to deliver energy services that otherwise might be economically or technically infeasible in resource-constrained settings. When superefficient appliances are used, the total cost of solar home systems and their associated appliances can be reduced by as much as 50% (Phadke et al. 2015). The authors of this paper will first explore the broader interplay of energy access and energy efficiency for off-and weakgrid settings by sharing learnings from the Efficiency for Access Coalition and the UK aid funded Low-Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) program. To serve as a concrete example among off-grid appliance technologies, this paper will then explore the work of LEIA and other Coalition partners to accelerate cost and efficiency improvements in off-grid refrigeration. Refrigeration presents significant technical challenges to off-grid energy systems because of high-energy demand in addition to the lack of consistent and comparable performance data to help market stakeholders make effective and informed decisions about product selection. To help address this knowledge gap in the market, this paper presents the findings of a baseline product testing effort used to establish a foundational understanding of the field performance of commercially available off-grid refrigerators. The paper further explores the role of innovation cash prizes in catalyzing technology innovation and market expansion of off-grid refrigeration analyzing them through the lens of the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) Off-Grid Refrigerator Competition.

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“…With dependable connectivity remaining often unrealistic and/or cost-prohibitive in many Boff-grid^regions, distributed renewable energy systems, such as minigrids and solar home systems (SHSs), have the potential to instead serve as the primary means to provide a first access point for life-changing modern energy services. High-quality, efficient, and off-grid appropriate appliances such as fans, TVs, and refrigerators play an essential role in offering off-grid communities further benefits from their energy systems (Hirmer and Guthrie, 2017), as well as developing and sustaining the distributed clean energy market in a positive cycle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Off-grid appliance performance testing: results and trends for early-stage market development

2019

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High-quality, efficient, and off-grid appropriate appliances play an essential role in developing the distributed clean energy market-but little data or market intelligence exists to help market actors make informed decisions. To fill this significant knowledge gap, CLASP, in support of the Efficiency for Access Coalition, has developed the Off-Grid Appliance Data Platform: an off-grid appliance performance database. Based on analysis of the test data from the Platform, the paper provides a glimpse into the current status, efficiency and cost trends, and remaining challenges gleaned from the off-grid television, fan, and refrigeration market-top three appliances with significant potential to scale. The analyses show a wide variation in the efficiency of products across the market. Efficiency improvements are observed, albeit slowly. Analysis shows that prices are decreasing, but have not yet reached a level of affordability for off-grid consumers in Africa and South Asia. Through the appliance performance testing results and market trends, the authors of this paper hope to enhance the global knowledge about off-grid appliances performance. Further research and data collection around sales trends will enhance the comprehensiveness and robustness of future analyses of off-grid appliances.

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The benefits of energy appliances in the off-grid energy sector based on seven off-grid initiatives in rural Uganda

Cited by 38 publications

References 25 publications

Stochastic load profile construction for the multi-tier framework for household electricity access using off-grid DC appliances

Stochastic load profile construction for the multi-tier framework for household electricity access using off-grid DC appliances

State of play and innovations in off-grid refrigeration technology: lessons learned from current initiatives

Off-grid appliance performance testing: results and trends for early-stage market development

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