Energy poverty in Greek mountainous areas： a comparative study

The paper studied the energy poverty in the mountainous areas of Greece through parallel primary surveys, in comparison with the country-level conditions. The surveys are based on objective financial and expenditure data as well as on subjective views about housing conditions. The objective approach showed that mountainous areas of Greece are burdened with much higher energy expenditure while also having lower annual incomes. Under these circumstances, the energy poverty rate skyrocketed to73.5%. The subjective indicators reveal significant aspects of the problem, such as the intense problem of damp walls and mold growth at home or the restriction of other basic needs in order to cover heating needs. However, despite the proven high vulnerability of Greek mountainous areas, current energy policy actually ignores the special features of mountainous areas, implementing horizontal policies.Therefore, a specialized energy plan targeted to alleviating energy poverty in mountainous areas in Greece is an urgent imperative.

Energy poverty in the mountainous town of Metsovo,Greece

In an attempt to enhance knowledge on the energy poverty phenomenon in mountainous areas,a primary social survey was conducted in a typical mountainous town of Greece,Metsovo in the Region of Epirus.The survey recorded quantitative data of energy expenses and incomes of households and it also captured qualitative indicators related to energy poverty.The findings showed that nine out of ten households in Metsovo are exposed to energy poverty,based on the objective 10%index.The subjective indicators revealed other interesting aspects of the problem.Over one-third of the local population live in houses that are inadequately heated and/or present damp problems.Almost two-thirds of the local population have been forced to restrict other basic needs,in order to respond to high energy costs.Studying the relationships between variables of the survey also revealed some notable issues.Households inadequately heated present statistical significant correlation with the heating system used.The inadequately heated houses are also correlated with houses that presented damp-mould problems,as well as households that report arrears in energy bills.Moreover,reduction in hours of heating system operation is correlated with health problems.Current energy policy in Greece does not include specific strategies for mountainous areas,apart from some differentiations in heating oil subsidies.The great extent of energy poverty in mountainous Greece,highlighted by the present representative(with respect to mountainous Greece)study,may have irreversible social impacts.Hence,a need for specific and effective action is necessary,whose main axes should be an extensive upgrade of buildings’energy efficiency in mountainous settlements and special fuel tariffs for mountainous areas.

The energy identity of mountainous areas:the example of Greece

Mountainous areas have been long recognized as particularly important for the planet and sustainable mountain development is a global priority. In order to improve the socioeconomic development perspectives of mountain societies, efficient and well-targeted energy strategies should be formed. An important step towards this direction is adequate understanding of local conditions and specific features that affect energy sector. This procedure allows the inclusion of "locality" in energy planning and so, decentralized energy production is facilitated. The present study attempts to determine the particular energy identity of mountainous areas. Greece, which is the second most mountainous country in the EU, has been selected as a case study. Essential features of the mountainous space have been selected, namely altitude, inclination, remoteness, lack of productive activities, old buildings/vernacular architecture, in order to explore their interrelation with the energy sector. Based on literature review and research findings the interaction between mountainous character and energy is outlined. Therefore, a framework of the characteristics of mountain energy identity is composed, which can provide support to the formation of specialized energy policy for mountainous areas. Some of the main findings of the present study include the significantly increased energy loads of mountainous areas, the abundance of renewable energy potential in high – altitude areas, the vulnerability of mountain societies to energy poverty and the difficulties in sitting energy projects in the restricted usable space of mountains. Since the literature regarding mountains and energy is rather poor the present paper aspires to be a step towards highlighting the importance of energy issues for mountain areas and societies. By determining the features of mountain energy identity energy planning in high – altitude areas and so, helping make energy planning more effective, such research works can be parts of sustainable development strategies for mountainous areas.

Solar Photovoltaics Development in Nigeria: Drivers, Barriers, and Policies

Energy access is vital to a nation’s economic growth and its populace’s social well-being. Still, there is a lack of adequate energy in Nigeria, negatively affecting the country’s socio-economic development. Due to the inadequate energy supply, some manufacturing companies shut their operations, and most Nigerians now use backup generators (BUGs) with their attendant health hazards, environmental pollution, and global warming. The need for energy access and a sustainable energy supply through renewable energy (RE) resources necessitates adopting solar photovoltaics (PV) in Nigeria. Studies on Nigeria’s energy accessibility and sustainability are generally on RE development and a few on solar PV applications. This research covers the need for an in-depth analysis of the growth of solar PV in Nigeria, and the research question is: What factors promote or limit the adoption of solar photovoltaics in Nigeria? A method of Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Thematic Analysis (TA) is employed for the analysis. The research findings are divided into drivers, barriers, and policies. Some identified factors promoting the adoption of solar PV are energy poverty and the urgency to improve electricity supply, the ease of its operation and maintenance, and the Nigerian government’s commitment to clean electricity supply with policy initiatives and increased awareness of solar PV applications. Conversely, some noticed factors mitigating the growth of solar PV are poor tariff systems, dual subsidies of electricity and petroleum, and lack of finance and economic incentives.

Study on Biogas Development in the Qinba Mountain Area in the Background of Developing Ecological Civilization

Biogas is a clean energy source with high value for the comprehensive development and utilization of the Qinba Mountain area.Promoting biogas in the Qinba Mountain area can effectively solve the energy dilemma in the construction of a new socialist countryside.However, the promotion and usage of biogas are faced with economic, technical, and policy obstacles.The government and farmers of the five provinces and one municipality in the Qinba Mountain area have invested time and resources to build household biogas pools and related supporting facilities.Whether these facilities can continue to play a role or not has become the most important issue faced by these farmers.Based on the inputs and outputs of biogas processes in the Qinba Mountain area, we present an analysis of the factors affecting the construction, maintenance, operations, and utilization of biogas in this area, and put forward relevant suggestions for the healthy and sustainable development of household biogas in the Qinba Mountain area.

Addressing Barriers to Off-Grid Rural Electrification in Africa： The Botswana and Namibia Experience

Africa is the most affected continent with energy poverty. Wood fuel is the main source of energy for remote and rural populations. At the same time, most parts of Africa are endowed with abundant solar energy. Together with a highly developed global solar industry and ever declining cost of solar systems, solar has unprecedented potential to combat energy poverty in Africa. However, dissemination of solar systems is faced with a number of barriers and challenges amongst where sustainable financing and lack of technological support for installation, maintenance and repair of systems are the most significant. This paper discusses the cases of Botswana and Namibia where financing schemes based on different partnership models have been successfully implemented. These schemes have the potential for success and adaptation by countries with similar socio-economic conditions. We conclude with recommendations on training programs for different levels of intervention to overcome the lack of technological support.

Investigating energy policies to boost grid-connected rooftop solar PV in Sudan

Grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic(PV)systems can reduce the energy demand from the grid and significantly increase the power available to it.However,rooftop solar PV has not yet been widely adopted in many sub-Saharan African countries,such as Sudan,although they are endowed with high solar radiation and in dire need of additional power.This paper investigates risks and policies to increase grid-connected rooftop solar PV adoption in Sudan.A simplified United Nations Development Program Derisking Renewable Energy Investment framework is adopted to investigate this over three stages.For Stage 1,a list of risks and barriers was produced based on a literature review of solar PV studies in Sudan and interviews with nine stakeholders.Affordability was the risk most often mentioned(eight times from nine interviewees),followed by concerns about poor utility grid infrastructure.For Stage 2,policy de-risking instruments and financial de-risking instruments were listed to overcome the barriers.These include the intro-duction of net metering,the use of a third-party organization to monitor policy implementation,upgrade of the grid infrastructure,public awareness campaigns and energy-saving schemes.For Stage 3,the levelized cost of electricity was estimated for a typical 2-kW rooftop PV system without policies(0.11$/kWh)and with a net-metering policy(0.07$/kWh).