Innovation in distributed energy services for sustainable development: case studies from sub-Saharan Africa

In this work, we explore how locally led innovations can advance sustainable energy access in low-income regions of Africa. Given the emphasis of the Sustainable Development Goals on the importance of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, we critically assess how local innovations can addres...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research letters 2024-11, Vol.19 (11), p.114090
Main Authors: Pachauri, Shonali, Coldrey, Olivia, Falchetta, Giacomo, Pelz, Setu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Distributed generation
Energy
energy access
Energy utilization
innovation
Innovations
poverty alleviation
Renewable energy
sub-Saharan Africa
Supply chains
Sustainability
Sustainable development
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable energy
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Summary:In this work, we explore how locally led innovations can advance sustainable energy access in low-income regions of Africa. Given the emphasis of the Sustainable Development Goals on the importance of affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy, we critically assess how local innovations can address the unique challenges of regions characterized by informality and low purchasing power and where existing grid-based electricity supply is weak. Through case studies, we highlight successful initiatives in expanding energy services access, including product bundling, pay-as-you-go financial models, leveraging existing supply chains, and securing strong funding support. Our findings underscore the importance of local ownership, contextual knowledge, and the adaptation of innovations to specific socio-economic and cultural conditions. By comparing the case studies, we identify common strategies that can contribute to the effectiveness of local innovations in improving energy access and sustainability that can inform efforts to replicate and scale up such initiatives. We conclude by identifying common elements contributing to the success of these cases and their significance, focusing on those crucial for achieving speed, scale, and impact.
ISSN:1748-9326
1748-9326
DOI:10.1088/1748-9326/ad8460