How can underserved communities access affordable renewable energy systems and technologies?

Renewable energy projects are pivotal for social equity, aligning with environmental justice principles by providing fair access to energy and equitable distribution of benefits. Carbon funding, through credits and emissions trading, offers financial incentives, making these projects more feasible and allowing communities to monetise carbon reduction. Community energy systems, tailored to local needs and often community-run, promote engagement and ownership, vital for sustainability. Best practices involve community engagement, government and NGO partnerships, and tech innovations like microgrids for efficient energy use. These enable communities to attain energy independence, sustainability, economic growth & fostering an equitable world.

Wind power is now the lowest cost new capacity electric energy. As low cost, reliable power is the life blood of any economy, cost competitiveness is crucial. This more true than ever as a significant increase in power demand appears to be around the corner (transport, heating, data centres). Renewable energy is carbon free and avoids air pollution which has a significant impact to human health (according to the UN, causes ~7 million fatalities per year). The intermittent nature of wind & solar is the obvious trade off / challenge. Power grids already have reliability 'back ups' and will need incrementally more. Solutions exist to achieve higher penetration: fortunately, energy storage technology has matured and forecasting has improved.

One of the best benefits of Renewable energy, is it gives owners the chance to own their power. Self generated energy can provide you will local sourced energy, that can reduce energy costs and provide reliable energy.

Renewable energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat.[ Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not. For example, some biomass sources are considered unsustainable at current rates of exploitation. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling. Renewable energy projects are typically large-scale, but they are also suited to rural and remote areas and developing countries, where energy is often crucial in human development

Hoy en día la electricidad es esencial en cada uno de nuestros hogares, el uso de combustible o gases derivados del petróleo se ha ido sustituyendo por productos eléctricos. Muchos de los hogares de hoy en día solo utilizan como fuente de energía, la electricidad. Para el caso de las comunidades desatendidas las energías renovables de presentan como una solución para el acceso a la electricidad. Esto se debe a que las diferentes variantes renovables (eólica, fotovoltaica, hidráulica o biomasa) pueden suministrar electricidad a la comunidad sin que exista la infraestructura de la red eléctrica. Esto hace esta tecnología mas rentable y accesible para este tipo de usuarios

By far the biggest challenge was stable and predictable funding. The location of many under served communities does not interest with commercial interests and thus is not a priority. Private sector funding for communities/sponsorship is typically focused solely in areas of operations or planned developments. There are many areas where a little funding can go a very long way - for instance a charity I volunteered with for years, could provide solar+battery to homes for lighting, cell phone charging and more for less than $200 Canadian (all in). If the corporate sector directed a small % of their marketing / advertising and community sponsorship budgets to the highest impact areas facing energy poverty, it would drive real positive change.

We should not forget the most common challenges of renewable energy. Since these depend on abiotic factors, they become intermittent and could lead to fluctuations in energy. Besides that, the space of land designated for this activity might become visually contaminated.

The available data indicates that communities that are under-served tend to experience a higher degree of negative impact from power outages, exorbitant energy prices, and energy generation facilities that contribute to pollution. As a result, the implementation of energy storage solutions can play a crucial role in promoting energy equity by offering backup power during outages and lowering energy expenses for these communities.

Renewable energy can effectively address energy crisis in underserved communities as it is more cost effective than fossil fuel based energy. World economic forum claim that solar and win energy are almost the-same price or rather cheaper than new fossil fuel capacity in more than 30 countries and unlike fossil fuel which runs on finite resources. Renewable energy is powered by unlimited resources, it can supply under served communities a stable supplies of energy without having to spend more on oil or power line grids. CHALLENGE S Lack of finance Accessibility Acceptance Technology know how etc

Firstly, acknowledge that everyone benefits from the decarbonisation and economic development that renewable electrification brings. Secondly, recognise that the underserved communities cannot pay for this development, it has to be financially supported. Thirdly, better target concessionary funding, grants etc. and carbon market products for this renewable electrification. This is not charity it just makes sense.

One such example of renewable energy solutions is installation of solar driven borewell pumps. In India, farmers are encouraged to install solar for their pump sets by providing subsidies.

These global initiatives demonstrate how renewable energy can transform underserved communities. Off-grid solar, wind turbines, and hydro plants address specific local needs. The Lakota tribe's wind energy and India's Barefoot College exemplify empowerment and self-sufficiency. Nigeria's project turning agricultural waste into energy highlights innovative, sustainable solutions. These efforts showcase the potential of renewables in enhancing life quality and economic stability.

Renewable energy solutions be seen small or big. They all have impact on the environment. One local example is using wind energy to generate hydrogen. Their a many success stories. The success in each project is a local design that uses the local resources. BC uses hydro power because of our mountain and abundance of water. AB has lots of sun and has lots of solar plants.

Proposing my paper : 'Planning and assessment of an off-grid power supply system for small settlements' (Renewable Energy 149, 1271-1281) by E. Tsiaras et al. The study introduces a novel approach for evaluating hybrid wind-photovoltaic off-grid systems using small settlements as case studies. It integrates various data sets—meteorological, demographic, geographical, geospatial, land use, and load data—to design and implement off-grid power plants. This research aims to refine off-grid hybrid energy systems and demonstrates the feasibility of autonomous renewable energy production in remote areas, offering crucial insights for sustainable energy solutions.

One specific example is the numerous hydroelectric power plants in the French Alps that take advantage of the region's mountainous terrain and abundant water resources. The gravitational force created by the elevation differences in the mountainous landscape allows for the efficient generation of hydropower. These plants often involve the construction of dams or the diversion of rivers to create artificial waterfalls, providing the necessary head (height difference) for the generation of electricity. It's important to note that the environmental impact of dam construction and operation, as well as the alteration of river ecosystems, is a subject of consideration and management in the development of hydropower projects.

To ensure lasting impact, best practices in renewable energy management for underserved communities involve participatory assessments, engaging the community in all phases, establishing clear governance structures, and continuous monitoring. Education, training, and ongoing support play a crucial role. Let's empower communities sustainably!

I would start with a scanning together with underserved communities what local resources are available around in their ecosystems (wind?, sun?, water?, thermal heat?). Provide with information about its potential, understand how they value and the importance they give to these resources. Design solutions together that benefit all using the living lab framework. Moreover, plan how the idea will be maintained and governed in time for a long lasting solution, the roles of each member involved (manager, financial admin, technical service, distribution, etc). Not imposing but co-creating and collaborating using energy cooperatives way of working as an example.

In order for renewable energy projects in underserved communities not to fail, it is important to ensure that: 1) The communities take active part in the decision making process. 2) The communities take ownership of the project, especially during operation and maintenance phase. For this it is crucial to provide skills training to locals and clear governance structure. 3) Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Es ist eine Sache, in gro?en Runden über die Notwendigkeit der Energiewende zu diskutieren und Pl?ne zu schmieden. Was ist mit den Planern und Ausführenden vor Ort, die mit der Umsetzung von Energiewende-Projekten konfrontiert sind? Sie stehen oft vor bürokratischen Hürden, Verwaltungsstrukturen und einem Vergaberecht, das selbst kleinste Projekte über Jahre hinweg verz?gern kann. Diese Realit?t macht es schwierig, ihre Arbeitsweise tats?chlich zu ?ndern und innovative L?sungen umzusetzen. F?rdermittel sind gut, aber wenn sie nicht effizient genutzt werden k?nnen, bleiben sie oft nur Makulatur. Wir sollten nicht nur über die gro?en Visionen zu sprechen, sondern auch über die praktischen Hindernisse, die einer Umsetzung im Wege stehen.

In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, fostering innovative thinking is paramount. By encouraging a mindset that embraces creativity and outside-the-box approaches, we can uncover new, groundbreaking ideas to propel renewable energy initiatives forward. Whether it's developing novel financing models, harnessing cutting-edge technologies, or establishing collaborative platforms, innovation holds the key to overcoming existing challenges. Embracing a culture of continuous improvement and inventive problem-solving not only accelerates the adoption of renewable energy but also ensures that our strategies remain dynamic and adaptable to the evolving landscape of clean energy solutions.

Too often those interested in renewable energy at the small (community) scale jump to the tangible step of purchasing a technology and planning an installation without having completed the assessment, planning and development steps. The foundational pieces need to start with the simple but at times overlooked steps of evaluating available lands and determining constraints and buildable area, engagement and partnering with the local community to set clear objectives and a path to get there, confirming energy needs (on vs. off grid), examining the available resource (e.g. solar) and investigating available grant funding and/or confirming applicable requirements to an energy project. Then it's time for layouts, sizing and technology selection.

Embarking on a renewable energy journey for underserved communities? Start by researching local resources and policies. Network with stakeholders, seek financing options, and consider pilot projects for valuable insights. Scaling up ensures wider impact. Let's catalyze change together!

Es bedarf einer grundlegenden überprüfung der Verwaltungsstrukturen, um den Planern vor Ort mehr Spielraum und Flexibilit?t zu geben. Es müssen Mechanismen geschaffen werden, die es erm?glichen, kleine Projekte schnell und effizient umzusetzen, ohne dass sie in einem bürokratischen Dschungel stecken bleiben. Entscheidungstr?ger müssen auf allen Ebenen erkennen, dass die Energiewende nicht nur eine Frage der Strategie, sondern auch eine Frage der praktischen Umsetzung ist. Wenn wir diese Herausforderungen angehen und L?sungen finden, k?nnen wir sicherstellen, dass die Energiewende tats?chlich gelingt.

At many school-level science projects, simplicity often serves as the bedrock for creative and innovative ideas. These projects, once recognized and nurtured, possess the potential to instill a sense of community ownership and yield more impactful results than sweeping governmental policy changes or the implementation of expansive solar farms and wind turbine projects. By harnessing locally generated waste and adopting practices of reuse and repurposing, communities can achieve energy self-sufficiency. Embracing small, decentralized initiatives for their inherent merit, even if they lack scalability, becomes crucial in fostering sustainable and impactful solutions."

Beyond the defined sections, consider the transformative power of community-led initiatives and the resilience built through sustainable practices. Share your unique stories and insights, contributing to a richer tapestry of renewable energy's impact. Together, we illuminate the path to a greener, equitable future.

Unfortunately, in the United States most utilities and electric grid networks lagged in upgrading infrastructure to manage newable energy. No secret fossil fuel utilities would not favor renewables. Their investment in natural gas in the last 15 years is not fully recouped. The economics of natural gas drove out of business nuclear and coal fired power plants. Much more deleterious currently with coal soot and long nuclear radiation remaining as long as Co2. As a result utility grids, public utility commissions don't have enough personnel to process the long queue of applicants wishing for a grid interconnection and with new equipment. Sadly, more attention to large utility projects overrides small local disadvantaged communities.