Energy documents - all files
This is a complete listing of all Practical Action documents relating to energy, including policy, practice, technical information, case studies and classroom resources.
Files marked with 
are supplied by our Practical Answers technical information service, and require registration, but are still free to view or download.
A selection of images of different wind turbines to promote discussion and help students decide on their design
A selection of images of different wind turbines to promote discussion and help students decide on their design
A selection of images of different wind turbines to promote discussion and help students decide on their design
A selection of images to promote discussion and help students design their wind turbine
Appropriate Household Energy Technology Development
Although support materials exist in the form of technical information on various household energy technologies, there are few training materials to guide users.
Axial Turbine Guide to Installation
This simple guide gives the most important process steps for the installation of the Axial Turbine.
Axial Turbine Guide to Installation - Turbina Axial Guía de Instalación
Esta sencilla guía proporciona los pasos más importantes del proceso de instalación de la turbina axial.
Axial Turbine Guide to Manufacture
A low-cost low-head axial turbine design developed for manufacture in Peru.
Axial Turbine Guide to Manufacture - Turbina Axial Guía de Fabricación
Un diseño de turbina axial de bajo costo, desarrollado para la fabricación en el Perú.
Best practices for sustainable development of micro hydro power in developing countries
This report synthesises the experience of micro hydro developments in Sri Lanka, Peru, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It attempts to draw out the best practice from this experience.
Biodiesel - Biodiésel
Este informe explica lo que es biodiésel, sus ventajas y desventajas.
Biofuels for transport
Massive and unregulated large-scale production of biofuels would be potentially destructive for the environment, a threat to food security, and will affect sustainable development and the livelihoods of the poor.
Biofuels for transport
Massive and unregulated large-scale production of biofuels would be potentially destructive for the environment, a threat to food security, and will affect sustainable development and the livelihoods of the poor.
Biogas Digest - Volume I Biogas Basics
This manual describes the basics of producing and using Biogas.
Biogas Digest - Volume II Application and Product Development
This documents looks at the most important factors, providing a checklist for the planning procedure, a planning guide and a checklist for construction of a biogas plant.
Biogas Plants in Animal Husbandry
One of the main areas of use for biogas is on farms.
Biogas Plants in Animal Husbandry
This guide addresses the planners and providers of stock-farming and agricultural-extension services in developing countries.
Biogas Promotion in Kenya
Based on a review of experience in Kenya. It gives details of the factors that have influenced the adoption of biogas in Kenya.
Biogas technology and integrated development: experiences from Sri Lanka
Traditionally the biogas technology was looked at as a source of energy for the rural population mainly for lighting, though it possessed several other benefits. The Practical Action South Asia project recognised the need to look at the biogas technology in an integrated manner to reap the...
Biogas Use in Reconstruction
Biogas technology can provide essential energy services in a post-disaster context.
Biomass as a Solid Fuel
Solid biomass includes wood, sawdust, and crop waste which can be used directly or processed into briquettes and charcoal.
Biomass as a Solid Fuel - La biomasse Comme Combustible Solide
Charbon de bois est largement utilisé comme combustible domestique pour la cuisson dans de nombreuses villes dans les pays en développement, comme c'est plus propre et plus facile à utiliser que le bois.
Boiling Point 45: low-cost electrification
Rural energy development in Nepal - Community micro-hydro power in Kenya - Tariffs for rural grid electrification - Fuel for lighting - Demand side management for rural Nepal - ‘Micro-privatising’ rural power distribution in India - Electricity for the urban poor - Windpower: Small is beautiful...
Boiling Point 49: forests, fuel and food
Sustainable commercial firewood in Brazil and Nicaragua - Super-insulated housing for Northern Asia - Insulative ceramics for improved cooking stoves - Policy decisions to conserve forest reserves in Tanzania - Fuelling development - Linking rural energy transitions and developmental needs in...
Boiling Point 50: scaling up and commercialisation of household energy initiatives
Scaling up biogas in Nepal - Ten top tips for successful scaling up - Rocket stoves for sub-Saharan Africa - Designing stoves for mass production - The Ecostove - Promoting improved household energy in China - Is gender a key variable? - Strengthening community partnerships - Dissemination of...
Boiling Point 51: sharing information and communicating knowledge
Upesi rural stoves - Locally-made solar panels for small appliances - Sharing knowledge and spreading information using the Internet - Promoting solar cookers - Improved cookstove experiences from India - Rocket stove in Southern Africa and Uganda - Improving life for rural communities in the...
Boiling Point 52: health, safety and household energy
Health and climate impacts of solid fuels - Spreading biomass stove technologies - Pollution in rural Zimbabwe - Direct contact hazards of cookstoves - Alcohol stoves in refugee communities - Inkawasi stoves in Peru - Rocket Lorena stoves in Uganda - CSD14 - Effects of ventilation - Methanol...
Bridging the funding gap to ensure energy access for the poor
Presented at ""Financing energy access for the poor"", a Practical Action event at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 15, New York 2007.
Build Manual: ARTI Floating Dome Biodigester
The Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI) developed a compact biogas plant which uses waste food rather than manure as feedstock, to supply biogas for cooking. The compact plants are made from cutdown highdensity polythene (HDPE) water tanks.
Build Manual: ARTI Floating Dome Biodigester - Tutorial De Construction: Bio-Dgesteur ARTI à Toit Coulissant
The Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI) developed a compact biogas plant which uses waste food rather than manure as feedstock, to supply biogas for cooking. The compact plants are made from cutdown highdensity polythene (HDPE) water tanks.
Certificates for all students who take part in the wind power challenge
Certificates for all students who take part in the wind power challenge
Certificates to give to the students who win the wind power challenge
Certificates to give to the students who win the wind power challenge
Charcoal Production
Charcoal is widely used as a domestic fuel for cooking in many towns and cities in developing countries as it is cleaner and easier to use than wood.
Charcoal Production - Production du Charbon de Bois
Charcoal is widely used as a domestic fuel for cooking in many towns and cities in developing countries as it is cleaner and easier to use than wood.
Chimney Stoves and Smoke Hoods
Nearly half the world cooks on three-stone fires or basic stoves causing indoor air pollution. This brief looks at ways to reduce pollution.
Chimney Stoves and Smoke Hoods - Stovu Zenye Dohani Na Vifuniko Vya Moshi
Nearly half the world cooks on three-stone fires or basic stoves causing indoor air pollution. This brief looks at ways to reduce pollution.
Civil Works Guidelines for Micro Hydropower in Nepal
This book look at the technical aspects of designing a micro hydro scheme in Nepal.
Climate change and energy poverty in Africa
An analyis of the interconnecting themes between climate change and energy access for the poor in sub-Saharan Africa
Climate change and the challenge of energy poverty
Climate change mitigation and the ending of energy poverty are not incompatible goals. Governments have the duty to ensure that the poor are able to fulfil their basic needs, including those dependent on energy. At the same time developing countries need support to develop in a carbon neutral...
Community Based Micro-Hydro Village Electrification Scheme Technology and Approach
This booklet explained how science is used in technology development and how this in turn is transformed into infrastructure. The main attributes to be considered, assessment of data, functions and selection of the components are explained to gain an understanding of the community based...
CREST energy
Global CREST challenges are part of the British Science Association's CREST awards. They give students the opportunity to work on projects related to international development issues. This resource suggests project ideas for energy
Decentralised rural electrification: the critical success factors
This review of recent practice draws on our experience of supporting off-grid solutions in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Zimbabwe and Peru in particular, and on work by other organisations in other countries, such as Indonesia, Kenya, Vietnam, South Africa.
Design, development and marketing of solar lanterns
Work on the development of the Solar Lantern has generated a considerable amount of interest amongst potential customers and manufacturers alike. It is clear from the experience so far, that the unique position of development agencies can serve to bring together the necessary ingredients and...
Diesel Engine Repair & Maintenance
This printable booklet explains diesel engines and basic repair and maintenance in light of the most commonly-faced problems.
Diesel Engines
In many countries diesel engines play a very important role in providing power and electricity for remote locations.
Dissemination of smoke reduction interventions in Sudan
Cooking with biomass takes place on traditional inefficient three stone stoves, leading to indoor air pollution. This paper presents Practical Action's achievements in Sudan between 2004 and 2006, and lessons drawn from this best practice.
EC Energy Access Project Leaflet
Decription of the EC funded project "Energy Access for All"
Education Moja island community cards
Moja island is an activity where students consider different renewable energy options available to four communities living on a fictitious island. These community cards give information about the different communities living on the island and their needs.
