Energy Development in Rural Areas

1
Energy Development in Rural Areas

• Amanda Wiggins
• University of Texas
• Department of Chemical Engineering
• ChE 379 Fall 2005

2
Outline

• Problem and Background
• Progress
• Cooking Methods
• Fuel Sources for Electricity
• Programs
• Government and U.S. Roles

3
Rural Energy Crisis

• Dependent upon biomass
• 1/3 of all consumed energy in the developing
  areas
• Grid extension costly
• Rural areas have sporadic energy needs
• Require a small amount of energy
• Primary areas of concern
• China (largest amount of success)
• India
• Latin America (Brazil)
• Africa

4
Progress

• 1970s
• 23 of rural population have access to
  electricity
• Major concern on energy crisis, not rural areas
• 1980s
• 33 have access to electricity
• 1990s
• 44 have access to electricity
• 33 if Chinese efforts excluded

5
Cooking Methods

• All from biomass
• Animal dung
• Crop residues
• Wood ? Charcoal
• Low efficiency
• Biomass 10, LPG 65
• Alternatives (move away from raw biomass)
• Biogas (animal waste biomass)
• Producer Gas (crop residue biomass)

6
Fuel Sources for Electricity

• Diesel-engine generators
• Small-scale biopower and hydropower
• Photovoltaics
• Wind
• LPG (only viable in specific situations)

7
Diesel-Engine Generators

• 2-3 times the cost of implemented grid
  electricity
• Less than cost of grid extension
• Assists in general energy needs and agricultural
  needs

8
Small-Scale Biopower and Hydropower

• Biopower replaces the diesel needed
• Use producer gas
• Improves economic growth
• Micro, mini, and small hydropower
• Mini is the most common
• Unreliable
• Droughts, slow river speeds

9
Photovoltaics

• Small-scale electricity
• Largest use in Kenya
• Joint venture with Shell and Eskom (South Africa)
• Leasing methods
• gt90 collection rate

10
Wind

• Standalone and hybrid systems
• Hybrids in densely populated areas
• Decrease air pollution
• Standalone systems manufactured in house to
  reduce costs
• Hybrids eliminate some diesel fuel
• Hybrid technology in industrialized countries
• Imports raise the price
• Joint ventures

11
Energy Extension Programs

• Chinese National Improved Stoves Program
• Largest program to date
• Biomass stoves
• Kenyan charcoal stove movement
• Did not require chimneys
• Indoor CO pollution
• Bangladesh rural cooperatives
• Government supported take-over
• Rapid expansion of grid-based electricity

12
Current Policy

• Free-enterprise
• Credit/rental program for renewable energy
  equipment
• Private sectors very successful
• Government subsidies
• Hurts the situation in most areas
• U.S. government has little involvement
• Technology development