Our solutions - practical people power
Practical Action has been working for over three decades to provide sustainable energy solutions to those who need them most. Practical Action’s ethos is ‘people power’.
We work with communities to develop renewable energy technologies, using natural resources such as water, wind, sun and waste, which are available in even the smallest or remote communities.
If people have more fuel-efficient stoves, they can spend less time gathering fuel. Larger-scale wind, solar or hydro-powered schemes can transform local communities. This can improve their health, give them light in the evenings, improve their education and give them links to the wider world.
Access to modern energy helps people to help themselves.
Our approach
Micro-hydro power
Micro-hydro power is a renewable, indigenous and non-polluting resource for the small-scale generation of energy using falling water.
Read moreSmall-scale wind power
Converting wind energy into electricity is clean, renewable and sustainable. Practical Action has developed reliable and cost effective wind energy systems to help meet electrical energy needs.
Read moreImproved cooking stoves
Improved cook stoves use one third of the amount of firewood as a traditional fire, reducing household smoke levels.
Read moreSmoke hoods
Sheet metal smoke hoods are cost effective and efficient, reducing indoor smoke levels by up to 80%.
Read moreRenewable energy village
This cluster of renewable energy technologies in rural Nepal is an example of the benefits of access to energy and what it can mean for a community’s development
Read moreSolar-powered water pumps
A solar-powered water pump that uses locally-sourced equipment can pump 30,000 clean litres of clean, safe water every day.
Read moreSolar power
Solar power employs the sun as an alternative for people who face the practical and financial difficulties associated with distributing grid electricity.
Read moreFireless cooker
The "fireless cooker" uses stored heat to cook food over a long period of time. A simple basket, insulated with banana leaves or old clothes, can reduce fuel use by 40%.
Read moreOur energy work in pictures
A slideshow of images from our energy projects, showing how Practical Action is working with communities to provide sustainable energy solutions.
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