Renewable Energy Solutions for Rural Zambia Workshop Report · Sub-Saharan Africa is the most...

RenewableEnergySolutionsforRuralZambia

WorkshopReportUniversityofZambia,Lusaka,Zambia

November,2019

2

Editors

UniversityofZambia:NchimunyaMwiinga,RekhaRajan,PremJain

UniversityofOxford:SusannStritzke

UniversityofCapeTown:BothwellBatizarai,AmosMadhlopa

Contactinformation:

NchimunyaMwiinga:nchimy@gmail.com

SusannStritzke:susann.stritzke@smithschool.ox.ac.uk

https://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/research/rise-renewable-energy-innovation-scale

3

AbbreviationsandAcronyms

ERC-EnergyResearchCentre

SEC-SolarEnergyCentre

SSEE-SmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironment

RISE-RenewableInnovationandScalableElectrification

GCRF-GlobalChallengesResearchFund

UNZA-UniversityofZambia

UCT-UniversityofCapeTown

CBU-CopperbeltUniversity

KNU-KwameNkrumahUniversity

MU-MulungushiUniversity

NSTC-NationalScienceandTechnologyCouncil

EERG-EnergyandEnvironmentResearchGroup

ZESCO-ZambiaElectricitySupplyCorporationLimited

4

TableofContents

1. The research partnership on rural electrification in Zambia: background and objectives .................. 7

2. Overview: The ‘RISE’ Project ................................................................................................................ 8

3. Energy access in rural Zambia: the community perspective ............................................................... 9

4. Impacts of Capacity Building Costing in Renewable Energy Development-Africa perspective ......... 11

5. Challenges of solar energy utilisation in Zambia: a case study of Kitwe, Zambia .............................. 12

6. Business models and institutional frameworks for successful electrification– findings & research approaches ................................................................................................................................................. 14

7. Community level assessments: conducting community energy engagement and needs assessments 17

8. Community Level Assessments: Energy needs assessments for women in selected districts of Zambia ........................................................................................................................................................ 19

9. Technical planning: system sizing and protection of resilient standalone solar power plant-considerations for community projects planning to meet end user needs ............................................... 20

10. Interactive session 1: Key questions and interdisciplinary approaches to address electrification challenges ................................................................................................................................................... 21

11. Plenary discussion & consolidation – Making an impact on rural electrification, contribution of research and interdisciplinary collaboration .............................................................................................. 24

12. Appendix -Workshop agenda ............................................................................................................ 26

5

Introduction

An Interdisciplinary Workshop on Renewable Energy Solutions for Rural Zambia was held onNovember5th,2019attheUniversityofZambia.ThisworkshopwasjointlyorganizedbytheSolarEnergyCentre(SEC) in theDepartmentofPhysics,UniversityofZambia incollaborationwith theEnergyResearch Centre (ERC), University of Cape Town and the Smith School of Enterprise andEnvironment(SSEE),UniversityofOxford(UK).

Thethemeoftheworkshop“RuralelectrificationinZambia-Interdisciplinaryresearchapproaches& findings”reflectedon interdisciplinaryresearchapproaches focusingon thequestionofhowtoenhancethelowlevelsofaccesstoelectricityinruralareasofZambiaandacrosssub-SaharanAfrica.InruralZambia,thisfigurestoodatabout5%.Sparsepopulation,longdistances,highpovertylevels,lowaffordability,andlowconsumption/loadsweresomeofthechallengesattributedtoimpedimentofeffortstowardstheprovisionofruralelectrificationinasustainablemanner.Theworkshopwasattended by 46 stakeholders including senior academics, research staff, students from sixUniversities,externalpartnersfromthemediaaswellasprivateandpublicsectororganisationsanda representative from the ZambianNational Science and Technology Council (NSTC). It aimed atconvergingacademicswithdifferentareasofspecialisationwithaviewtosharing ideas,researchmethodologiesandfindingsonruralelectrificationinZambia.

Thesixuniversitiesrepresentedwere:

● UniversityofZambia(UNZA),● UniversityofCapeTown(UCT),● UniversityofOxford(OxU),● CopperbeltUniversity(CBU),● MulungushiUniversity(MU),● KwameNkrumahUniversity(KNU).

TheworkshopwasofficiatedbytheActingViceChancelloroftheUniversityofZambia,Dr.MichaelMULENGA(ThesubstantiveDean,SchoolofEngineering).

Acknowledgements

TheworkshopwasorganizedundertheRenewableInnovationandScalableElectrification(RISE)project.AuthorswouldliketothanktheEconomicandSocialResearchCouncil(ESRC)ofUKforthefinancialsupportthroughtheGlobalChallengesResearchFund(GCRF).

6

OpeningSpeechTheimportanceofresearchinsustainableelectrificationinZambia

Dr.MichaelMULENGAActingViceChancellor,UniversityofZambia

Thescientificandindustrialrevolutionofpastcenturieshasledtohigherstandardsoflivinginmanycountries.However,ourlifestyles,growingpopulationandindustrializationareupsettingthenaturalbalanceof the earth anddamaging its life support systemsand leading, inpart, to global climatechange. The use of renewable sources of energy, including solar, wind, biogas, hydro, tidal andgeothermaltechnologies,inplaceoffossilfuelshasemergedasthemostpowerfulwaytomitigateclimatechange.In Zambia, hydroelectric power remains the dominant form of renewable energy. The country’spopulation has increased, resulting in increased energy demands. The low-rainfall patterns haveresulted in continued national electric energy deficit. Scheduled power outages,which last up to15hrs per day, have had negative impacts on homes, business and the economy at large. Theinadequateelectricitysupplyhasresulted inan increase in thedemandforcharcoalathouseholdlevels.Thisinturnhasresultedinanincreasedlevelofdeforestationinvariouspartsofthecountry.It is necessary to have a convergence of academicswith different specialisations for purposes ofsharing ideas, researchmethodologiesand findingsonruralelectrification inZambia.ThisshouldinvolvemanagingtheEarth’sresourceswithoutdepletingthemforgood–aconceptreferredtoas“sustainabledevelopment”. Thisworkshopinvolvesparticipantsfromthe(i)UniversityofZambia,(ii)UniversityofOxford,(iii)University of Cape Town, (iv) Copperbelt University, (v)Mulungushi University and (vi) KwameNkrumahUniversity.Itismyhopethatthisinterdisciplinaryacademicworkshop(involvingstaffandafewstudents)willallowforasynthesisofideaswithaviewtocontributingtowardsthedevelopmentofgoodcountrypolicies,entrepreneurialsavvyandbehaviouralchanges.Finally,itismyhopethatthiskindofcollaborativeworkshopswillcontinueforthebettermentoftherenewableenergysectorinZambia,andthecontinentatlarge.

7

1. TheresearchpartnershiponruralelectrificationinZambia:backgroundandobjectives

ProfessorPremJAIN(UNESCOChairinRenewableEnergyandEnvironmentSolarEnergycentre,DepartmentofPhysics,UniversityofZambia,Lusaka,Zambia)

Accesstoelectricityisthebackboneforeconomicandsocialdevelopment.Thereisadismallylowrate(5-10%)ofelectrificationinruralZambia,aproblemthatexistsinmostAfricancountries.Over600m people in Africa (mostly in rural areas) have no access to electricity. The United NationsSustainableDevelopmentGoal7(UNSDG7)targetsby2030,tohaveaffordableandcleanenergy,universal access to affordable, reliable andmodern energy services. In pursuing SDG7, Zambia’sstrategyistoenhanceenergyaccess,especiallyinruralareas,todiversifyitsenergymixinabidtoreduceongreen-housegasemissionsaswellasmovingawayfromthedependencyonhydro-powergeneratedenergyalone.Withregardtoruralelectrification,governmentsandutilitieshaveneithertheresourcesnorsurplusenergytoextendthegridover longdistancestoremoteareas. Off-gridenergysystemsareemergingasaviableoption.

TheDepartmentofPhysicsatUNZAhasbeeninvolvedinsolarenergyandclimatechangeforclosetofourdecades.TheSolarEnergyCentre(SEC)whichismainlyfocusedonprovidingacomprehensive range of support services totheemergingsolar industrywas launchedon22November 2018. The SEC has establishedtieswiththeSmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironment (SSEE) at the University ofOxford, UK. The process was driven by ProfPrem Jain (UNZA) and Dr Susann Stritzke(OxU) as it was recognized that RuralElectrification, a global issue and a commonthread,requiresaninterdisciplinaryapproach.

Following this collaboration, aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Solar EnergyCentre,UNZAandOxfordUniversitySmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironmentwassignedon3rdSeptember2019.

ThemaingoalofthecollaborationistodevelopinterdisciplinarystrategiesforruralelectrificationinZambiathroughsolarenergyspecificallythroughtheresearchproject‘RISE’atSSEEincollaborationwiththeUniversityofCapeTown(UCT).ThethreecentralgoalsoftheworkshopasanelementofprojectRISEwherethepresentationofresearchfindingsonruralelectrification,thediscussionof interdisciplinary research approaches and the exchange between academics with differentspecialisationstoshareideas,researchmethodologiesandfindingsonruralelectrificationinZambia.

Signing of the UNZA/Oxford MoU, 09/2019

8

2. Overview:The‘RISE’ProjectDr.AmosMADHLOPA(UniversityofCapeTown,SouthAfrica)

Aninternationalresearchteam,ledbyDrAoifeBrophyHaneyfromSSEEandSaïdBusinessSchool,wasawarded funding from theGlobalChallengesResearchFund (GCRF) to investigateinnovativesolutionsforpromotingenergyaccessinsub-SaharanAfrica(SSA),throughtheRenewable,InnovativeandScalableElectrification(RISE)projectfrom1stSeptember2018to29thFebruary2020.

TheGlobalChallengesResearchFund(GCRF)isa£1.5billionfundannouncedbytheUKGovernmentin late 2015 to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developingcountries.GCRFformspartoftheUK'sOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)commitment,whichismonitoredbytheOrganisationforEconomicCooperationandDevelopment(OECD).

The interdisciplinary research project aims to design integrated, actionable and transferabledevelopmentstrategiesforthelocalrenewableenergysector in sub-Saharan Africa. The research pursuesthree mutually reinforcing areas of inquiry: suitablebusiness models for a competitive local renewableelectrification industry; optimal institutionalarrangements to facilitate the development of theindustry; and enabling community involvement,especiallyinruralareas.Twocontrastingnationalcasestudies, Uganda and Zambia, form the basis of theproject.

Sub-SaharanAfricaisthemostenergy-deprivedregionintheworld,withmorethantwo-thirdsofthepopulationlackingaccesstoelectricity.Energypovertyisespeciallyacuteinruralareas,whilehighprices,unreliablesupply,andslowadoptionofrenewablesourcesarepersistentproblemsevenforthose with access to electricity. Thus, none of the three criteria for equal energy access —affordability,reliabilityandsustainability—asdefinedbytheUNSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs) is yet close tobeing fulfilled.Energypovertyhas impaired sub-SaharanAfrica's economicdevelopmentfordecades,yetthesechallengeswillonlyworsenasthecontinent'sruralpopulationgrowthoutpacescapacitygrowth.

GiventhesheersizeoftheAfricancontinentandlowratesofurbanisation,large-scaleelectricalgridsarebothimpracticalandprohibitivelyexpensive.Meanwhile,rapidlyfallingsystemcostshavemaderenewableoff-gridsolutionsthecheapestcleanoptioninmanyremoteareas.Todate,however,threemain issues have prevented sustainable electrification: difficulties in attracting internationalinvestment to small-scale renewables; inconsistent and often opaque regulatory and institutionalframeworks;andafailuretoincludelocalcommunities,i.e.customers,inplanning.

The project aims to understand how these three broad factors are interrelated and is deeplycommitted to delivering impact beyond academia. Key stakeholder groups from government,business,andcivilsocietywillbeinvolvedthroughoutallstagesoftheproject.Integraltothesuccessoftheprojectwillbetranslatingtheresearchfindingsintoactionabledevelopmentplans,includingnew renewable energy business models, financing and revenue schemes, and policyrecommendations.

9

3. EnergyaccessinruralZambia:thecommunityperspectiveDr.BothwellBATIDZIRAI(UniversityofCapeTown,SouthAfrica)

ThispresentationfocussedonfindingsoftheRISEprojectCommunityengagementstudywithaviewto sharing five keymessages derived fromundertaking the study in communities in Zambia andUganda.Thestudyundertookanovel community surveyovera sampleof1016respondentsandelicited community views, perspectives, preferences, opinion on community electrification needs,interaction of community members with energy service providers as well as involvement inelectrificationplanningandimplementation.Weidentified5keymessagesasfollows.

First,energyiskeytoimprovingthequalityoflifeinruralUgandaandZambia,butisnotseenasatop-prioritypurchase.This isbecausethereareotherprioritypurchasessuchaseducationwhichimplylimitedabilitytopayformodernenergyservicesdespiteahighwillingnesstopayforelectricity(~86%). There is recognition that electricity can transform lives and acknowledged by 90% ofelectrifiedrespondents.Second,thereistremendousunmetdemandforelectricity-enabledcooling,cookingandproductiveuse,butseverechallengesremaintounlockit.Currentmainelectricityusesarelighting,chargingdevices,andentertainmentmetbysmallsystems.Currentsolutionsareeitherfar-awayandoftenunreliablegridelectricityorsmall-sizedsolarsystems-ofteninadequatetomeetcommunityenergyneeds.Thekeychallengetoaccessisthehighelectricitytariffs(~60%).However,

10

97%ofrespondentsarewillingtopayforelectricityforproductiveusesacrosssectors.Otherkeycommunity challengeswith electrification include poor system reliability, limited access options,insufficientcapacitytomeetneeds,poorservice,technicalproblems,etc.

Third, potential for more productive use of energy exist across all income-generating activities,especially agricultural, small-scale industry, retail and services sectors. Currently only 15% useelectricity forsomeformincome-generatingactivity. Itmakesfinancialsensetouseelectricity forproductive use at current tariffs as the value-add of 1 kWh can exceed1USD for different smallbusinesses, especially in large untapped potential and strong desire to provide cooling services,hairdressing,sewing,cookinginrestaurants,weldingandgadgetrepairing.Fourth,despitevariousinformation channels that exist, end-users are not yet well-informed enough about their energychoicesandfacenumerouschallengeswheninteractingwithenergybusinesses.Lackofinformationand knowledge is a key challenge of community interaction with energy providers and this isattributedtoinadequateoutreachandvisibilitybyserviceprovidersandkeyenergyinstitutions.Only50%ofrespondentsareawareofenergyserviceprovidersoperatingintheirlocalitiesandonly43%are satisfied with energy services. This highlights the importance of relationship building andcommunicationbetweenanynewpotentialenergyproviderandthetargetcommunity.

Fifth,communitiesdesiregreater inclusion inenergy-relateddecisionmakingusingadequateandcase-specificpointsofcontact.Currentcommunityinvolvementinelectrificationprojectsis30%butthereisahighdesireforstrongerinvolvementinenergyprojectprocesses.Thereisnoone-size-fits-allforcommunityengagementastherearenoclearpreferencesoninvolvementmethods.Communityleadersandskilledcommunitymemberscanplayakeyroleinfacilitatingtheflowofinformation,andin mobilising resources. Thus there is need to identify individual community desires, to ensureadequate involvement through the relevant means. Communities could consider pro-activeapproachesofcommunicatingtheirneedsandinitiatinglocallevelsolutionsfollowinge.g.theGhanacommunityinitiatedelectrificationmodel.Linksbetweentheprivatesector,publicinstitutionsandcommunitiesneedtobestrengthenedtosupportinclusivedevelopment.Alsolinksbetweenpublicsectorandcommunitiescouldbenefitfromenhancedcommunityengagement,theinclusionoflocalrepresentativesandtheflowofinformationinbothdirections.

11

4. ImpactsofCapacityBuildingCostinginRenewableEnergy Development-AfricaperspectiveSamSICHILALUandEstherT.AKINLABI(DepartmentofMechanicalEngineeringScience,FacultyofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironment,UniversityofJohannesburg)

Energyscarcityhasbecomeaglobalchallengeinthemidstofclimatechangeeects.InmostAfricannations, there are rapid policy transformation with the help of donor funding that encourages

diversification of its energy resourcesanddevelopmentofdistributedenergysystems. These funding are mostlydedicated to renewable energy sectorfinancingundermatchinggrantsorco-financing.Thisdonoraidcomeswithanalready packaged capacity buildingfunding costed from the donor’sperspective rather thanAfrican.There-fore, this perspective mismatch in

capacity building costings has led to massive developmental failures of renewable energyinfrastructure,criticalshortageofskilledhumancapitalandsystemsustainabilitychallenges.

Thecurrentfinancingmodelofrenewableenergy development is expected tocontinue registering failure projects inachieving energy-as-enabler forrural/urban development unless thecapacity building financing modelproposed in this paper is implemented.Thispaperempathizescapacitybuildingasthekeytosuccesstotheimplementationofany renewable energy project whetheron/o grid system. The proposed modelprovidesrealisticmodeloffundingcapacitybuildinginallenergydevelopmentandrealitiesontheground.

12

5. ChallengesofsolarenergyutilisationinZambia:acase studyofKitwe,Zambia

ProsperyC.SIMPEMBA,DicksonCHEMBEandInutuKATOTI(CopperbeltUniversity,Zambia)

Zambia is currently facing a critical power deficit largely due to low rainfall and because of her dependence on hydroelectricity. Many Zambians have felt the impact of this power deficit and are looking for alternative energy sources for relief. We present here results of a case study of solar energy utilization in Kitwe, highlighting the opportunities and challenges in the application of this energy source.

It is evident that power stations in Zambia are reaching their lifespan and urgent need of replacement or

retrofitting. Zambians recognise existing energy challenges, the need to diversify the energy mix and to tap into solar energy for lighting, water heating and small appliances.

Despite Zambia enjoying enough solar irradiancy, solar power utilisation has not received the much needed attention. In Kitwe, CEC has already implemented a 1W solar power plant. Another 40 MW solar power plant has been constructed in Garneton area of Kitwe. There are also some minigrid systems linked to milling. The common solar application in the area are home lighting, water pumping (Saro Agro supplies system), powering small electrical appliances (TVs, radios, phones, shaving machines, etc), water heating and drying. There are various brands of solar systems on the market.

13

Unlike hydro, utilisation of solar energy is not affected by droughts. There is also a desire for people to utilise solar technologies due to heavy load shedding in the country. There is need for appropriate policies to be in place to attract locals to participate in solar energy projects. Also research funding is required to study local materials for local production of solar panels

14

6. Businessmodelsandinstitutionalframeworksforsuccessfulelectrification–findings&researchapproaches

DrSusannSTRITZKE,DrPhilippTROTTER(SmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironment,UniversityofOxford,UK)

EnergyaccessinruralUgandaandZambia:mappingthechallengesfromtheinstitutionalandbusinessperspectivesIn many rural areas across SSA, renewable off-grid solutions are the cheapest and cleanestelectrificationoptionduetotheirabundanceandrapidlyfallingsystem.Atthesametime,theruralelectrificationstrategyforZambiahasshiftedfromagovernment-driventoaprivatesector-drivenapproachbutoff-gridenergybusinessesstruggletobefinanciallyviable,dramaticallylimitingtheirpotential scale. Many complex and interrelated challenges on community-level such as low- andvariable-incomestructures,relianceontraditionalfarmingmethodsandlowresiliencetoexogeniceffectssuchasdroughtsnegativelyimpactthelong-termsustainabilityofoff-gridsolutions.

In our research,we are finding that in order to address this challenge,mini-grid developers aredesigning innovative business models that go beyond delivering energy. Rather, their missionidentifies them as integrated community developers who want to achieve energy-enableddevelopmentratherthanmereenergyaccess,viewingenergyasnothingmoreandnothinglessthana catalyser fordevelopment.Theyaim to increase revenues fromnotonly sellingkWhsbut from

5

The problem of electrification

§ Over 80% of unelectrified people in ACP countries live in rural areas:

§ Small-scale projects§ Rural customers with weaker

purchasing power§ Economic challenges and limited

local business development§ Off-grid projects are expensive

and economically risky

§ Big investments require profitable and stable markets:

§ Large-scale electrification projects§ Industrial and urban electrification§ Growing economies, served by

multi-national businesses

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM ISN’T WHERE THE PROFIT IS

The profit of electrification

15

sellingelectricity-enabledproductivegoodsandservices.Thisincreasestheper-kWhvalue-addofthemini-gridandallowstocross-subsidiseenergyaccessinhouseholds,schoolsandhealthcentres.Thekeylearninglessonsthatcanbederivedfromourresearchinthebusinessmodelworkstreamare:

● TomeetUganda’sandZambia’sgoals,theoff-gridmarketrequiresinnovation● Theregulatoryenvironmenthasacrucialinfluenceonthebusinessperspectivesofoff-grid

developers.● Policyneedstopromotebusinessmodelinnovation–nothinderit● A “Big Pull” approach as a solution to the frequently cited chicken-and-egg problem of

electricitydemandandeconomicdevelopment● Innovative off-grid companies operationalise the “Big Pull” paradigm by re-defining their

businessmodels:the‘IntegratedDeveloper’approach● TheIDbusinessmodelisdistinctfromthecurrentthreeexistingbusinessmodeltypesinthe

off-grid energy space, namely: Standard Retail (SR), Consumer Finance Retail (CFR), andMicroUtility(MU)

Researchon the institutional perspectiveof sustainable electrification inUganda andZambiahasrevealedsomegapsbetweenruralelectrificationtargetsandunderlyingstrategiestoachievethesetargets and a stakeholder mapping exercise has illustrated, that the involvement of localrepresentativesinthenationalenergyplanning-andpolicy-makingprocessesisyetverylimited.TheresearchfindingsfortheinstitutionalworkstreamofprojectRISEwithregardtoZambiacanbesummarisedasfollows:

● Privatesector&donor-drivenprogramscanenhanceno.ofconnections,butthepictureisunevenwithregardtoproductiveuse&regionaldistribution–government-drivenstrategicplanscancomplementprivatesectorinitiatives

● Greatercoherence&integrationofon-andoff-gridplanningcanpushruralelectrification● The clear definition of mandates and roles together with the development of integrated

implementationplanscanenhancetheeffectiveexecutionofnationalenergystrategies● Effectivemonitoringandevaluationcanprovideimportantlearninglessons● Morecommunityinvolvementinenergypolicy-makingcanleadtoelectrificationapproaches

thatcapturetheneedsoftheconsumers● Greaterregulatorycertaintyforgrid-encroachmentreducesfinancialrisksforMGdevelopers● Foreign Donors have increased their focus on off-grid solutions, enhancing coordinated

effortscanreducetransactioncostsandduplicationsofapproaches● MinistriesofEnergyandtheiraffiliatedagenciesdedicatedtoruralelectrificationcouldtake

thedriver’sseatincreatinganintegratedenergystrategy

16

AssessingappropriateinstitutionalandbusinessmodelsforsuccessfulelectrificationinSSA–researchapproachesTheresearchapproachfortheinstitutionalanalysiswascomprisedoffourssteps:

1. Formulationofthecentralresearchquestions;2. Developmentof the specific research approachwasdevelopedandbasedonan extensive

literaturereviewincludingselectionofadeductiveapproachbasedontheoreticalapproachesofmeasuringanddetermininggoodgovernance;

3. EmpiricalresearchprocessincludingaQualitativeDocumentAnalysis(QDA),astakeholdermappingexerciseandthedesignofsemi-structured,qualitativestakeholderquestionnaires.

TheresearchofthebusinessmodelworkstreamfollowedaninductiveapproachbecausethereislittletheorytoexplainthetypesofdevelopmentsthatarecurrentlytakingplaceinSSArelatedtobusinessmodelsforoff-gridenergysystemsandthesedevelopmentscanindicatemoregeneraltrendsaboutbusinessdevelopmentinSSAparticularlyifitispossibletoabstractgeneralfindingsfromspecificobservations.ThismeantthattheoverallaimoftheresearchprocessatthebeginningwastounderstandgeneraldevelopmentsintheREmarketsorwhichtypesofcompanieswereactive.Duringtheresearchprocessesinbothworkstreams,thefollowingchallengesoccurred,whichweremitigatedthroughasetofspecificmeasures:

● Adaptingresearchapproachandatthesametimestayingfocused:InitialfocusonZambiaandUgandabutexpandedinterviewstoothercountriesastheroleofpolicycontextemerged

● Iterationbetweendataandtheory:Becausetheprocessdidnotstartwithcleartheoreticalpredictions,itwasessentialtokeepanopenmindandaclearprocessforgoingbackandforthwithoutgettingtoolost

● Decidingwhentostop:It’softendifficulttoknowwhentheprocesshasreached“theoreticalsaturation”–willonemoreintervieworevenonemorecountrycasehelp?

● DesignofQuestionnaires–ComprehensivenessvsLength:3Interviewrounds–adjustmentofquestionnairestofindingsandtheresearchprocessnecessary

● Abroadrangeofstakeholdersandviews:remaincritical,checkfacts,don‘tacceptcommonknowledge.

17

7. Communitylevelassessments:conductingcommunityenergyengagementandneedsassessments

Dr.BothwellBATIDZIRAI,(UniversityofCapeTown,SouthAfrica)ThispresentationfocussedontheexperiencesandlessonslearntduringtheRISEprojectCommunityengagementworkstreamwithaviewtosharingimportanthighlightsfrommethodologyappliedandoutcomesderivedfromundertakingthestudyincommunitiesinZambiaandUganda.Itfocussedonthreeissues(a)Contentofthecommunityengagement(includingresearchquestions,questionnairedesign, ethics, datamanagement, etc.) (b) Process (of community engagement including how thesurveywasexecuted)(c)Outcomes(i.e.findingsandimpacts).The community engagement study implemented a novel community survey to elicit views,perspectives, preferences, opinion on community electrification needs, interaction of communitymembers with energy service providers as well as involvement in electrification planning andimplementation. Our sample included both electrified and unelectrified households,businesses/entrepreneurs,andcommunityleaders.Thiswasdesignedtoachievegender,incomeandregionalbalanceforasampleof1016respondents.Thekeyresearchoverarchingquestionwas:Howcan communities engage with and contribute to the development of sustainable electrification,especiallyinruralareas?

18

ThequestionnairedesignwasdonecollectivelybytheRISEprojectteammembers,combiningthethree workstreams including business and institutional workstreams. This was to allow forintegratedsolutionstoemergefromthecommunityfeedback.However,thisresultedinaverylongquestionnaire-106 questions which contributed to fatigue during the interview. Translating thequestionnaireintoregionallanguageswasalsotimeconsumingandrequiresexpertqualitycontroltoensurethesenseisnotlost.Weusedmainlystructuredquestionstoenableefficientquestioningwithafewopen-endedquestionstocapturevarietyofanswers.Weavoidedrankingquestions,asthesewereconsidereddifficultandtimeconsuming,eventhoughrankingwouldhavebeenusefultoshowpriorityofneedsandperceptions.Ourpre-surveyworkincludedextensiveliteraturereviewtoidentifygapsandframingassessment(includingMITLabresources-whichisagoodresourceforsimilartypeofsurveys).Itwasclearthatderivingintegratedsolutionsbringscomplexitybutsomeimprovementscanbemade,e.g.thequestionnairecouldbeshortenedtoimprovesurveyexecution,questionnairecouldbesplitby typeofrespondentandwecould focusmoreon fewerbutcriticalresearchquestions.Ashorterquestionnairewithmoreopenendedquestionscouldprovidewidervariety of answers. We included relevant Ethics and data management code of conduct but weobservedthatEthicsaremisunderstoodbynon-academicplayers.Thusthereisneedtoeducateotherpartiesinvolvedinthesurveyoftheacademicobligationstoethicse.g.offeringgifts,protectionofdata,anonymisingdatatoprotectrespondents,etc.Forexecutingthesurvey,weworkedwithpartnersembeddedincommunitiesasthisallowedeasiersettingupofprocess,getsupportandnavigatingtheprotocol ladenlocalcommunityinteractions.While enumerators can be trained – and it is important to tailor the training to the calibre ofenumeratorsenrolled,thereishoweverneedforveryprofessionalenumerators–whocanmakesplitmoment judgement to retain accuracy of responses. This avoidsmechanical enumeration whereillogicalanswersarecapturedwithoutduediligence.Lowerlevelenumeratorsrequiremoretargetedguidance.Trainingofsuchenumeratorsshouldbefollowedbyapilotforqualitycontrolandfurtherrefinement of training. During survey execution, there is need for continuous quality check ondeliveredquestionnaires–tocorrectrecurringcommonerrors.Althoughthisisstilldifficultinmanyrural parts of Africa, where there is connectivity, the use ofmobile apps that upload completedquestionnairesimmediatelycanbeuseful.Thereisalsogreatneedformanagingexpectationsduringprocess,asthisfeedsintoresponsesandneedcarefulcommunication.Itisdifficulttocheckhoweffectivethiscommunicationisandhowmuchbiasiseliminatedintheprocess.Fortheanalysis,weusedthestatisticalsoftware–Stata–toperformdataanalysis.Ourresultsarecontained at themoment as descriptive statistics in a Practitioner’s report. Further econometricanalysis has been done and will lead to at least two scientific publications. The results are alsoexpected to feed into business models and policy/institutional strategies in the region. TheassumptionisthatourfindingswillberepresentativeandcanbeextrapolatedtootherregionsandSSAcountries.Thisstudyisalsoexpectedtohavemadeimpactsintermsofcapacitybuildingandawarenessincommunities.

19

8. CommunityLevelAssessments:Energyneedsassessments forwomeninselecteddistrictsofZambia

Progress H. NYANGA, Douty CHIBAMBA (The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Zambia)

ThispresentationisanoutcomeofastudysupportedbytheNon-GovernmentalGenderCoordinatingCouncil(NGOGCC).Thestudyshowsthatwomenandchildrenintheprojectsitesarehighlyexposedto the health risks that comewith heavy reliance on biomass energy for cooking and fossil fuel,particularlykerosene,forlighting.Thus,thisassessmentreportprovidesempiricalevidencefortheneedforactorssuchasNon-GovernmentalGenderCoordinatingCouncil(NGOCC)torecruit,trainandsupportwomenentrepreneurstosellcleanenergyproductsintheselectedprojectsitesinordertoincreaseaccesstocleanenergytechnologies.Thiswillreducethehealthrisksthatwomenandgirlsare exposed towhen using biomass sources of energy. This effort will alsomake a contributiontowardsattainingSDG7whichiscallingforaccesstocleanandrenewableenergyforall.

It is thus recommended that both state and non-state actors should promote the supply and commercialization, at community level, of affordable energy saving cookstoves and solar technologies for lighting. There is need to promote animal husbandry and bio digesters as affordable options for clean energy technologies for cooking. Sensitization of rural communities on the use of movable assets as collateral and lobbing with the private sector to pilot the actualization of the movable property Act (collateral registry) to overcome the limitations of access to credit by rural households is critical for success.

20

9. Technicalplanning:systemsizingandprotectionofresilientstandalonesolarpowerplant-considerationsforcommunityprojectsplanningtomeetenduserneeds

Sebastian NAMUKOLO, Ackim ZULU (University of Zambia)

Off-grid solar-PV supply could be the path for achieving modern energy access in rural areas of Sub Saharan Africa, significantly moving the rural population toward the target of the 7th Sustainable Development Goal. Energy from the PV plants has the desirable attributes of being clean and affordable. Despite these desirable attributes, off-grid PV plants are also prone and susceptible to lightning effects in operation, this situation particularly accentuated in Sub Saharan Africa where there is high lightning activity. To redress this, the general principles of lightning protection are invoked in the design of the PV power supply to stave off the negative effects resulting from the plant being struck by lightning.

This presentation discusses energy access using off-grid PV systems and proposes a design approach which makes the PV plant to be more resilient in lightning-prone regions. Five subsystems of lightning protection in PV-powered plants, which may be selectively applied depending on the results of the risk assessment, are adopted. This proposed approach is expected to reduce outages and downtime of the PV power plant.

.

10. Interactivesession1:Keyquestionsandinterdisciplinaryapproachestoaddresselectrificationchallenges

SessionChair:Prof.ReccabO.MANYALA(DepartmentofPhysics,SchoolofNaturalSciences,UniversityofZambia)

A significant part of the morning session was devoted to interactive group discussions for theparticipants to share experiences around anumberof pertinent questions linked to theprevioussession(findingsandmethodologies).Theparticipantswereseparatedintofivegroups.Atimeframeof one hour was allocated for individual group discussions aimed at framing key electrificationresearchquestionsandneeds.AsummaryofkeyquestionsaregiveninTable1.

Table 1

CommunityNeedsAssessmentQuestions1 Forwhatpurpose(s)isenergyusedincommunities?2 Whatarethedomesticandeconomicenergyneeds?3 Howdoweprioritizeinvestmenttomeettheenergyneedsofurbanandruralareas?4 Whatenergysourcesareusedbycommunities?5 Whatarethemajorbarriersenergyaccessandhowcanweovercomethem?6 Howmuchmoneydoesthecommunityspendingonenergy?7 Whatistheaffordabilityofenergysolutions(i.e.financialstrategies)forcommunitiesin

termofwillingnesstopay?8 Whatisthelevelofawarenessonenergysolutions,costimplicationandfinancialviabilities

ofdifferentenergysources?9 How can we enhance the coordination and collaboration between policymakers and the

implementers?10 Whatisthemosteconomicallyviableapproachtoruralelectrificationbetweensolarhome

systemandminigrids?11 Isitviabletomanufactureand/orassemblecomponents(invertors,solarpanels,batteries,

etc.)solarenergysystemslocally?12 Whatnon-financialassetscanbeusedinexchangeforenergyusageandmanagement?How

cantheybemeasured?13 Which operational and financialmodels can be developed out of a system that uses non-

financialassetsforenergyaccess?14 Whatskillsdevelopmenttrainingarerequiredforcommunities?15 Doestheprovision/accessofelectricityleadtosocial,economical and sustainable

development?16 HoweffectiveisthecurrentsensitizationonusingLiquidPetroleumGas(LPG)ascompared

toHydroElectricPower?17 Whatstudieshavebeenconductedontheeffectoflighteningonsolarinstallationsinviewof

thefactthatZambiaispronetolightning?18 Howcanwefurtherimprovetheefficiencyofsolarpanels?19 Whataffordablesolutionsareavailableformaximizingenergystorage?20 Canweproduceawindmapforsub-SaharanAfrica?21 Howcanrenewableenergybeusedasaproductivetoolforwealthcreation?

22

Fromthegroupdiscussions,theparticipantsexaminedthevariousquestionsinTable1anddiscussedextensivelysolutionstocreatinganenablingenvironmentforupscalingruralelectrification.Someoftherecommendationsandpre-conditionsforachievingsustainableelectrificationincludethefollowing:

1. ConductingFeasibilityStudies:,i.e.▪ Properlyidentifyspecifictargetgroupsofpotentialruralmarket;▪ Demonstratetheusesofavailablesystemstocommunities;▪ Carryouttailoredneedsassessmenttospecificcommunities(aone-size-fits-allapproach

cannotbeeffective);▪ Investigatetheviability-aswellaslegalandhistoricalimplications-ofgeothermalpower

consideringthatZambiahasabout86geo-geysersfromtheriftvalleysystems▪ Developstrategiesandstructuresforgeneratingfundingforenergyprojectsandcapacity

building

2. Policyandregulatoryframework3. Revisit the policy frameworks;4. Developandimplementpoliciestosupportindependentpowerproducers;5. Long-termplanthinking

6. Technicalconsiderations

▪ Identifyappropriateenergysourcesforvariousenergydemands▪ Identifybestpracticesforenergystoragesystems▪ Capacitybuildingoflocaltechnicianstoenhancesustainabilityofinstalledcommunity

energysystems7. Culturalprofiling

▪ Assessperceptionsonenergytechnologies▪ Explorecommunitybeliefsystemsandhowtheyimpacttechnologyadoption▪ Developappropriateadvocacy(i.e.socialengineering,demystificationofenergysolutions)▪ Developknowledgemanagementandmentoringmechanisms(i.e.sustainabilityin

knowledgemanagement)8. Innovativeenergydeliverymodels

▪ Encourageproductiveenergyuses▪ Possibilityof“payasyougo”approach▪ Involvelocalpeopleinplanning,designandimplementationofelectrificationschemes▪ Electrifyforservice(e.g.electrificationofclinicsandschools)▪ Electrifyfordomesticandsmallscalebusinessenterprises(suchasrefrigeration,lighting

andentertainmentunits(e.g.TVandradio)aswellasenergyforlightindustrialactivitiessuchaswelding,hummermills,etc.)

23

9. PublicPrivatePartnerships▪ Provideconduciveenvironmentforprivatesectoroperations,includingregulation▪ Providegovernmentsubsidiesastrade-offforefficiencytoenableaffordabilitybylocal

communities▪ Developinnovativepricingtosuitelocalcontexts▪ Developflexiblepricingsystemthat'ssuitstheruralmarkets

10. Monitoringandevaluation▪ Evaluateprivatesectorinitiativestoensuresustainedtechnologyuptake▪ Evaluatepublicsectorinitiativestomonitorandrevisite.g.usageofitssubsidy,effectof

policymeasures

24

11. Plenarydiscussion&consolidation–Makinganimpactonruralelectrification,contributionofresearchandinterdisciplinarycollaboration

Thefinalsessionoftheworkshopwasaplenarydiscussiononhowacademicscancontributetomakinganimpactonruralelectrificationthroughresearchandinterdisciplinarycollaboration.Thediscussionwasframedaroundthefollowingthreeissues:

(i) IdentifyingbarriersthatinhibittheadoptionanddiffusionofrenewableenergyamonglocalcommunitiesinZambia

(ii) Challengesthataffectperformanceorviabilityofsolarenergytechnologies(iii) Wayforward

Participantssharedarangeofinsightsandexperiencesondevelopmentchallengesfacingtheruralelectrificationsector.Highlightsofthediscussionsaresummarisedbelow:

▪ Therewasgeneralconsensusthataccesstoefficientandsustainableenergyservicesleadstoabetterqualityof lifeforlocalcommunities.However,manypeopleinruralareasstill livewithunreliable or expensive power which poses a key barrier to economic development ascommunitiesandpublicfacilitiesremainwithoutaccesstoenergy.Healthclinics,forinstance,arenot able todeliverhighquality of services, schoolsdonot function effectivelywhile localbusinessareequallyadverselyaffected.

▪ There is need to develop appropriate short term and long-term measures to accelerate theadoptionofelectricityservices.Optionsincludetariffrationalisationtoencourageefficiencyandinvestmentinelectricitysupply.Tariffswouldneedtotakeintoaccountthepayingcapacityofespeciallytheruralpoor.

▪ Forminigrids,thebiggestchallengesarepoorpolicies,inadequateregulations,lackofplanningandlackoffinancingforoff-gridentrepreneurs,andlimitedaffordabilityforpoorerhouseholds.Itwasnotedthatbeforetheelectricitycrisis,thegovernmentofZambiahadK22millionwhichcouldhavebeeninvestedinsolarenergy.However,suchinvestmentsarenotmadeasdecisionsintheelectricitysectorappeartobepoliticallymotivated.Thus,investmentdecisionsinthesectorneed tobe groundedon long termplanning and feasibility studies. Itwas recommended thatimprovementsinelectricitysupplycouldbeachievedifZESCOisfreedfrompoliticalinterference.

▪ Itwasalsonotedthataftertheintroductionofpre-paidmeters,ZESCOwasmakingprofit.Butthemoneywaschannelledtootheruses.

▪ DistributedsolarsystemsthatfeedintothegridcouldmakeanimpactonelectricitysuppliesinZambia.Anexamplewasgiven that if eachhouseholdgenerates3kWof solarpower, thenonaverage,300000householdscanfeedin600kWpowertothegrid.However,themainchallengeinZambiaisthatZESCOwouldnotallowthecustomerstoconnecttogridasthiscancollapsethegridsystem.Butwithinnovativesolutionsandmoderntechnologiesavailable,nowisthetimetobe hopeful to introduce microsimulation at ZESCO. The country has many experts from

25

institutionslikeUNZA,whocandomicrosimulationatZESCO,andassistinresolvingsomeofthecapacityshortages.ZESCOcanalsointroducenetmeteringonalargerscale.

▪ Innovativebusinessmodels,suchaspay-as-you-gooffergreatopportunitiesforprivatesector-drivenoff-gridelectrification,aslongascountriescancreatetherightinvestmentenvironment.

▪ Another intervention is to allow electricity provider (ZESCO) to supply solar panels, solarinverters and installation to people at a subsidized rate, thereby accelerating the uptake ofrenewableenergytechnologies.

12. Appendix-Workshopagenda

RegistrationandOpeningSession

Arrivalandregistrationofparticipants Secretariat,SolarEnergyCentre(SEC),UNZA

Introductions NchimunyaMWIINGA,DirectorofProgramme

WorkshopBackgroundandobjectives PremJAIN,SolarEnergyCentre,DepartmentofPhysics,UNZA.

TheRISEProject AmosMADHLOPA,UniversityofCapeTown,SA

Introductoryremarks TheDean,SchoolofNaturalSciences,UNZA

OpeningSpeech TheViceChancellor,UNZA.

Session1:Framingthekeyelectrificationchallenges

SessionChair:Dr.ProgressNYANGA

EnergyaccessinruralZambia:thecommunityperspective BothwellBATIDZIRAI,UniversityofCapeTown

EnergyaccessinruralZambia:institutionalandbusinessperspectives

SusannSTRITZKE,SmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironment,UniversityofOxford,UK.

Capacitybuilding–experiencesineconomicsofrenewableenergydevelopment

SamSICHILALU,DepartmentofElectricalandElectronics,SchoolofEngineering,UNZA.

Challengesforthesustainableoperationofasolarmini-grid–experiencesandlessonslearntfromMpantasolarmini-grid

PremJAIN,SolarEnergyCentre,DepartmentofPhysics,UNZA.

Challengesforthesustainableoperationofasolarmini-grid–experiencesandlessonslearntfromKitwe

ProsperySIMPEMBA,DepartmentofPhysics,SchoolofMathematics&NaturalSciences,CopperbeltUniversity,Kitwe,Zambia.

Session2:Keyquestionsandinterdisciplinaryapproachestoaddress

electrificationchallengesSessionChair:ProfReccabO.MANYALA

Groupexercises-Framingthekeyelectrificationresearchquestionsandneeds:Whatarethecentralresearchquestions?WhatapproachescanbeusedtoachievemoreeffectiveandefficientelectrificationinSSA?

All

Groupreportbackanddiscussions AllCommunitylevelassessments:EnergyneedsassessmentforwomeninselecteddistrictsofZambia

ProgressNYANGAandDoutyCHIBAMBA,DepartmentofGeographicalandEnvironmentalSciences,UNZA.

27

Communitylevelassessments:Conductingcommunityenergyengagementandneedsassessments BothwellBATIDZIRAI,UniversityofCapeTown

Technicalplanning:Systemsizing&protectionofresilientstandalonesolarpowerplant–considerationsforcommunityprojectsplanningtomeetenduserneeds

SebastianNAMUKOLO,DepartmentofElectricalandElectronics,UNZA

InstitutionalframeworksandBusinessModels:AssessingappropriateinstitutionalandbusinessmodelsforsuccessfulelectrificationinSSA

SusannSTRITZKE,SmithSchoolofEnterpriseandtheEnvironment,UniversityofOxford,UK

GroupDiscussions–Howtoundertakeinterdisciplinaryresearchandincludeall(social,technical,economic,policy,regulatory,institutionalandbusinessdevelopment)importantaspectstoachievesuccessfulelectrificationinZambia

All

Session3:WayForward–ResearchandCapacityNeeds

SessionChair:Dr.AmosMADHLOPAGroupreportback AllHowtopublishintopinternationaljournals PhilippTrotter,SmithSchoolofEnterprise

andtheEnvironment,UniversityofOxford,UKPlenarydiscussion&consolidation–Makinganimpactonruralelectrification,contributionofresearchandinterdisciplinarycollaboration

All

Closingremarks HEAD,DepartmentofPhysics,SchoolofNaturalSciences,UNZA