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Socio-technical-ecological evaluations of the potential to implement renewable energy sources in coastal areas of tropical developing countries – an East African case study

Report

Title: Socio-technical-ecological evaluations of the potential to implement renewable energy sources in coastal areas of tropical developing countries – an East African case study
Author:
Molander, S.; Gullström, M.; Jagers, S.; Hammar, L.
Publication Date:
Document Number:
2008:2
Pages:
18
Place Published:
Göteborg, Sweden
Affiliation
Chalmers University of Technology
Technology:
Marine Energy
Receptor:
Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data
Language:
English

Document Access

Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Molander, S.; Gullström, M.; Jagers, S.; Hammar, L. (2008). Socio-technical-ecological evaluations of the potential to implement renewable energy sources in coastal areas of tropical developing countries – an East African case study (Report No. 2008:2). Report by Chalmers University of Technology.
@techreport{Molander-2008-1479179,
author = {Molander, S and Gullström, M and Jagers, S and Hammar, L},
title = {Socio-technical-ecological evaluations of the potential to implement renewable energy sources in coastal areas of tropical developing countries – an East African case study },
institution = {Chalmers University of Technology},
year = {2008},
month = {jan},
number = { 2008:2},
address = {Göteborg, Sweden},
keywords = {Marine Energy, Physical Environment, Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - RPRT
TI - Socio-technical-ecological evaluations of the potential to implement renewable energy sources in coastal areas of tropical developing countries – an East African case study
AU - Molander, S
AU - Gullström, M
AU - Jagers, S
AU - Hammar, L
AB - The suggested project aims at evaluating the potential for a successful implementation of renewable energy sources in the coastal zone of tropical developing countries integrating results from different scientific disciplines (ecology, social science and technology) into a useful support for development policy. Its emphasis will be on remote areas where poor infrastructures raise the demand for independent electricity supplies. Moreover, the project intends to identify key-issues and sociotechnical pathways for a future integration of suitable renewable energy sources in such areas. The research will be based on analyses of the relationships between technical, ecological and social systems and focus on applying adequate technology in a socially and ecologically feasible way. The energy sources considered will be selected from local natural flowing resources, i.e. mainly tidal, stream, and wave energies. With funding from Sida (SAREC Planning Grant) and Adlerbertska Forskningsstiftelsen, a planning study was carried out during October – November 2007, including the subsequent parts:1) meetings with representatives from several concerned institutions in Mozambique and in Tanzania 2) field visit to remote rural areas in southern Tanzania where hydrographical and coast morphological features were documented3) meetings with village representatives in remote rural southern Tanzania in order to collect information about living standards, energy demands and development intentionsCompiled results from the three parts are presented in this report and will constitute a baseline for the forthcoming application of Sida Project grant, to be handed in April 2008. When taking part of the results it is important to keep in mind that the suggested project does not intend to construct any actual power plants, or pilot plants, but to study the prerequisites and consequences, technical, natural as well as societal in order to evaluate if and how a future implementation of these recent technologies could be carried out in a feasible and sustainable way.This report is written with a plain perspective and contains no abstract. As the proceedings of the study will be the basis for a research application in progress, conclusions will instead be developed within that context. However, it can be stated that the project received a noticeable support from official, academic and local stakeholders in both Mozambique and Tanzania. It has been made clear that project initiative in its current appearance is very welcome and that bilateral co operations will be straightforward to form.Concerning the ocean energy resource and suitability of sites this planning study has been far to restricted to make any assessments; information received from the meetings and the short visit in field nevertheless implies that several areas may have potential for energy extraction.
CY - Göteborg, Sweden
DA - 2008/01//
PY - 2008
SP - 18
PB - Chalmers University of Technology
SN - 2008:2
LA - English
KW - Marine Energy
KW - Physical Environment
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Social & Economic Data
ER -
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Abstract

The suggested project aims at evaluating the potential for a successful implementation of renewable energy  sources in the coastal zone of tropical developing countries integrating results from different scientific disciplines (ecology, social science  and technology) into  a useful support for development policy.  Its emphasis will  be on remote areas  where poor infrastructures  raise the demand for independent  electricity  supplies. Moreover, the project intends to identify  key-issues and sociotechnical pathways  for a future integration of  suitable renewable energy  sources in such areas.  

The research will be based on analyses of the  relationships between technical, ecological and social systems and focus on applying adequate technology  in  a socially  and ecologically feasible way. The energy sources considered will be selected from  local natural flowing resources,  i.e.  mainly  tidal, stream,  and wave energies. With funding  from  Sida (SAREC Planning Grant) and  Adlerbertska Forskningsstiftelsen, a planning study  was carried out during  October –  November 2007, including  the subsequent parts:

1)  meetings with  representatives from  several concerned institutions in Mozambique and in Tanzania  

2)  field visit to remote rural areas in southern Tanzania where hydrographical and coast morphological features were documented

3)  meetings with  village representatives in  remote  rural  southern Tanzania in order to collect information about living  standards, energy  demands and development intentions

Compiled results from  the  three parts are presented in  this report and will constitute a baseline for the forthcoming application of  Sida Project grant, to  be handed in April 2008. When  taking part  of  the results it is important to keep in mind that the suggested project does not intend  to construct  any actual power plants, or pilot plants, but to study the prerequisites and consequences,  technical, natural as well as societal in order to evaluate if and how a future implementation of these recent technologies  could be carried out in a feasible and sustainable way.

This report is  written with a plain perspective and contains no abstract. As the proceedings of the study will be the basis for a research application in progress, conclusions  will instead be developed  within that context.  However, it can be stated that the project received a noticeable support from  official, academic and  local stakeholders in both  Mozambique  and Tanzania. It has been made clear that project initiative in its current appearance is very  welcome and that bilateral co operations will be straightforward to form.

Concerning the ocean energy  resource and suitability  of sites this planning study has been far to restricted to make any  assessments; information received from  the  meetings and the short visit in field nevertheless implies that several areas  may  have  potential for energy extraction.