Energy
Energy access is a key element to development especially in more remote rural communities where mains electricity does not reach. In these locations there are a number of small-scale renewable energy technologies that can be used. These technologies include; micro-hydro, solar energy, wind as well as more traditional biomass technologies such as biogas, crop waste, biofuels and stoves.
Topics
Biofuel and Biomass
Biofuels and biomass cover a whole range of energy options derived from organic sources such as wood and crops.
Biogas
Biogas is produced from organic material such as animal dung that is decomposed in the absence of oxygen.
Fuels and Engines
There are many options of fuels that can be used for domestic and commercial use, some of these are highlighted here.
Hydro Power
Micro and pico hydro turbines can provide electricity to people for domestic use such as lighting.
Solar Energy
Direct energy from the sun can be used either as photovoltaic energy -where light is converted directly into...
Stoves and Ovens
Improved stove can help reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality and people’s health.
Wind Power
Small-scale wind turbines can be used in many locations and are especially useful in isolated areas where other...
General Resources
Energy for Rural Communities
Nearly a third of the world's population have no access to grid electricity. Households can use renewable energy to...
Energy for Rural Communities - L'energie pour les Communautes Rurales
Nearly a third of the world’s population have no access to grid electricity. Households can use renewable energy to...
Evaporative Cooling
Keeping produce fresh with refrigeration methods that require no external power.
Evaporative Cooling - Refrigeración por Evaporación
Manteniendo la frescura de los alimentos con métodos de refrigeración que no requieren fuente de energía externa.
Evaporative Cooling - Refroidissement par Evaporation
Keeping produce fresh with refrigeration methods that require no external power.
Evaporative Cooling - The Ceramic Refrigerator
The ceramic refrigerator uses evaporative cooling to keep food fresh without a power source.
Grid Connection
The potential for grid connection and its alternatives for providing electricity in rural areas are look at in this...
Recycling Used Lead Acid Batteries
Batteries are used whenever electrical energy is needed and are common around the world but can be harmful to the...
Refrigeration in Developing Countries
In vast areas of developing countries that are without reliable electricity supply alternative methods for...
Renewable Energy to Reduce Poverty in Africa
A toolkit for planning decentralised renewable energy projects.
Renewable Energy: Climate Change and Carbon Funding
A look into climate change and the displacement of carbon.
Rural Lighting
Lighting is taken for granted in industrial countries. It is hard for many people to imagine living at night without...
Rural Lighting - Alumbrado Rural
Lighting is taken for granted in industrial countries. It is hard for many people to imagine living at night without...
Rural Lighting - L'Eclairge en Milieu Rural
Lighting is taken for granted in industrial countries. It is hard for many people to imagine living at night without...
For more on energy issues see our Interactive Renewable Energy Toolkit sponsored by Oxfam and Christian Aid.
For more information on energy in South Asia see our sister site http://www.sa-energy.net/
