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Optimal deployment of energy services for economic upliftment of low-income communities: A South African case study

Author

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  • Tulkens, Bart
  • Cloete, Schalk
  • Muvhali, Pfunzo
  • Bastiaans, Rob

Abstract

Low-income communities face a causality dilemma: A lack of energy services hampers income growth and insufficient income hampers energy service provision. Interventions delivering cost-effective energy services can address this dilemma, triggering a virtuous cycle of economic upliftment. While several studies have investigated cost-effective energy supply to low-income communities, a gap exists regarding holistic optimization of energy service deployment at different levels of economic development. Hence, a novel energy system model of a South African village is presented to optimize deployment and hourly dispatch of energy supply and energy services to recover time lost to poverty-related activities (e.g., gathering wood and water). Results showed that an optimized technology rollout can save each person over 1500 productive hours per year at an average cost below 0.2 $/hour. The model also identified the optimal order of technology deployment for driving economic development. Interestingly, an electrical grid connection was of minor importance because local mini-grids could economically supply the modest power demands of lighting, refrigeration, water pumping, and cleaning, while energy-intensive cooking and water heating can be economically performed using fuels and solar heaters. Detailed studies of individual low-income communities are recommended to outline optimal technology deployment strategies and reveal the low costs involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Tulkens, Bart & Cloete, Schalk & Muvhali, Pfunzo & Bastiaans, Rob, 2023. "Optimal deployment of energy services for economic upliftment of low-income communities: A South African case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:285:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223028384
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.129444
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dagnachew, Anteneh G. & Hof, Andries F. & Lucas, Paul L. & van Vuuren, Detlef P., 2020. "Scenario analysis for promoting clean cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Costs and benefits," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
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