About the project
The collaboration will involve researchers from a wide range of disciplines. The technology component will cover energy production, storage, distribution and utilization. The socio-economic component will examine the accommodation of mini-grids to local micro-economies and to local practices concerning health, food storage and preparation, hygiene and also other energy services. It will be important to explore the attitude of the local people towards the use of solar technologies. How can conditions be created such that people are willing to change their energy-using domestic and agricultural practices, now based mainly on wood fuel and petroleum products, to accommodate use of solar energy and other renewables? What is the most efficient way of spreading new renewable energy technologies such that know-how on operation and upkeep are acquired by the users? The answers to these questions will help to identify challenges and success factors at the local, regional and national level for the implementation of mini-grids, and to examine how social and economic development may be facilitated in ways that are replicable on a larger scale.
Duration: 2010–2012
Objectives
The overall objective will be to set up solar mini-grids in two Tanzanian villages and use these cases to explore social, technological and economic challenges associated with the implementation of off-grid energy systems.
Financing
- NORAD
- SIU
Cooperation
- University of Dar es Salaam (Department of Electrical Engineering, the Intitute for Development Studies and Computer Systems Engineering)
- MILEN