The presentation discussed some initial interventions in community-scale solar pumping for agriculture. Preliminary learnings suggested that the approach is suitable for remote communities. Scaling these interventions holds promise and can facilitate further investments at the nexus of energy, water, and agriculture, accruing benefits for the communities.

Solar organic Rankine cycle technology (SORC) uses thermal energy from the sun to produce electricity. In addition, it provides hot water, space heating, and cooling for people living in Himalayas and Terai regions of Nepal. Furthermore, it displaces the need of using kerosene or other traditional sources for lighting homes in remote areas of Nepal. Overall, when this technology will be fully matured, it could be one of the appropriate technologies for the sustainable development of the country.

Electricity is a basic requirement for providing health services but many geographies lack reliable, accessible, and sustainable forms of energy. Where electricity is available, power quality is poor and diesel generators come are used. The on-going pandemic further impresses the need for robust health, water, sanitation infrastructure in the developing world.

This presentation discussed energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption in a rural hinterland in India through the use of bio-fuel for cooking applications, rooftop-mounted solar PVs, and solar water heaters. It also shares some lessons learned in undertaking these measures, which can be replicated, and some suggestions for improvement.

This presentation drew lessons learned from Indonesia’s experience of several ministers in electrifying remote and secluded communities through Photovoltaic technology. The Indonesian PV off-grid has gained a remarkable achievement in slightly over 600 villages, connecting around 75,000 houses, created employment opportunities and offsetting 2,610 tons CO2 per year through kerosene avoidance. From a technical aspect, this program went through at least three generations of the battery system.

The report expounded on the experiences and models of the development and utilization of waste resources in rural China. In association with the implementation of the overall strategy of the Rural Revitalization of the Chinese government, the report put forward the new idea that rural clean energy helps in constructing ecological and liveable countryside.

As we emerge from the months of personal physical isolation to the gradual process of regaining productivity at work, we are likely to face numerous challenges in securing a workspace with reduced risks of infection. This presentation seeked to highlight the technical challenges and contradictions, with energy implications, in making our buildings and factories safe and comfortable.

This presentation highlighted key potential areas for collaboration in light of the world changing pandemic. It also presented IEA Bioenergy’s strategic focus for the next five years as well as our planned key enabling research areas.

Based on Covid-19 first analysis of impacts on the transport fuel sector, this presentation urged policymakers to act at two different timescales: 1) to provide support to meet short- and medium-term goals, such as assist fuel companies to overcome the collapse of demand and the economic shock, preserving direct and indirect jobs and business; and 2) provide support to meet medium- and long-term goals, such as to increase the ambition and promote higher amounts of domestic renewable and low carbon fuels, injecting economic resources on green domestic supply and conversion chains.

In our response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are effectively undertaking a massive experiment where we disrupt our entire economy and how we work and live within it. This has implications for our health and infrastructure, as well as gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) linkages. Better health is a measure of progress in diverse dimensions, including sustainable energy, cities, transport, and GESI. Being better prepared and learning how to become more resilient, is a more viable long-term option than waiting for disasters to occur.