Community Energy Systems: Realizing the Potential of People’s Partnership in Achieving Energy Access

Events

Community Energy Systems: Realizing the Potential of People’s Partnership in Achieving Energy Access

19 June 2019
Manila
Philippines

An Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2019 Deep Dive Workshop

Under Strategy 2030, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will sustain its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and expand its vision to achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific. This is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to achieve universal access to energy by 2030 with the underlying goal of eradicating poverty. However, most of ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) have limited resources and are constrained in improving energy access especially to the majority of their people residing in remote, rural and isolated areas due to technical and/or economic reasons. For those in remote, rural areas and isolated islands, extensions of the national grid face significant technical challenges. Moreover, in many instances, modest demand due to low or disperse population density, high cost of services and affordability issues often make investments in modern energy financially and economically not viable.

Finding innovative solutions to overcome the above challenges becomes imperative. One alternative is to implement community energy systems (CESs) which emphasizes the engagement and involvement of the community in all stages of project development. Various examples within Asia and the Pacific, including that of ADB’s pilot projects, show that community participation plays a significant role in the successful implementation of (distributed) energy projects especially in remote areas and isolated islands.

This Deep Dive Workshop (DDW) on “Community Energy Systems: Realizing the Potential of People’s Partnership in Achieving Energy Access” will showcase the people’s initiatives in establishing localized energy systems such as mini-grids based on renewable energy (RE) and in some cases hybrid solutions with energy storage. In the light of the growing interest to expand mini-grid solutions across Asia and the Pacific, this workshop will share knowledge and good practices on mini-grid and related types of localized energy systems that are owned and/or operated by community-based entities. The presentations would highlight project experiences focusing on why and how technical and cooperative solutions have been successfully utilized to reduce risks to project sustainability. The DDW is expected to encourage governments, project developers and investors to view CES as key to sustainably reach the last mile in the effort to provide universal and meaningful energy access for all.

Program and Learning Materials: 
Date Session / Activity Presentation Material Speaker(s)
19 Jun 2019 Introduction by the Session Chair What are Community Energy Systems? When do they make sense?
This presentation discussed the definitionof Community Energy Systems (CES) and why such systems exist and examined the ideal characteristics of robust...
Satish Gautam
19 Jun 2019 Session 1: Maximizing the Potential of CESs Dhostekhor Khola Micro Hydropower Pilot Project
This presentation discussed the conceptualization, impact, and lessons learnedfromthe Dhostekhore Khola Micro Hydropower Project, a community-based ecotourism...
Mahabir Pun
19 Jun 2019 Session 1: Maximizing the Potential of CESs Malalison Island Solar Hybrid Project
This presentation gave an overview and impact of the Malalison Island Solar Photovoltaic Hybrid Pilot Project in the province of Antique in the Philippines...
Ludovico Lim
19 Jun 2019 Session 1: Maximizing the Potential of CESs Community Enterprise-based Hydro and Biomass Projects in Myanmar
This presentation discussed the work of the Hydro Empowerment Network and their experience working with community-based hydropower projects in Myanmar...
Dipti Vaghela
19 Jun 2019 Session 2: Meeting the Challenges of Developing CESs What Happens When the Grid Comes? – The Case of ADB-Assisted Project on Community-Based Energy System in Mindanao
This presentation discussed the Dalupan Micro Hydro Power Plant, one of the pilot renewable energy projects implemented with the help of ADBtechnical ...
Godofredo Guya
19 Jun 2019 Session 2: Meeting the Challenges of Developing CESs Facing the Challenge of Energy Access in Remote Communities: Lessons Learned
This presentation discussed the work of Gram Oorja in fulfilling the electricity, cooking fuel, and water needs of tribal communities in India's remote...
Anshuman Lath
19 Jun 2019 Session 2: Meeting the Challenges of Developing CESs Ensuring the Sustainability of Community Energy Systems
This presentation discussed the experience of theInisiatif Bisnis dan Ekonomi Kerakyatan (IBEKA) in capturing the passion, energy, and imagination of ...
Tri Mumpuni [node:field_last_name]

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