Electronic load controllers are important in micro-hydro systems because they maintain the electrical specification within safe parameters through monitoring variable consumer demand and balancing it with the power generated by a turbine. While micro-hydro civil works, turbines, generators and transmission lines can be installed using locally available technical skillsets, ELCs require more specific and in-depth training to be correctly installed and maintained.

This SEPS exchange activity in cooperation with Green Empowerment, Tonibung and Sibat has two specific objectives: (1) to continue to build and strengthen local capacities around ELC installation and development; and (2) to further improve an existing open-source ELC design.

Read more details about the foreseen activites on our project website: Exchange: Strengthening Open-Source ELC Development in Southeast Asia.

It is widely recognised that access to sustainable and affordable energy services is a crucial factor in reducing poverty and enhancing development. Accordingly, various positive effects beyond simple access to energy are associated with the implementation of sustainable energy projects. One of these assumed positive outcomes is the productive use of energy, which is expected to create value – for example in the form of increased local availability of goods or higher incomes – thereby having a positive impact on local livelihoods.

Many projects and programmes are based on such expectations regarding the productive use of energy but systematic evidence of these outcomes and impacts is still limited.

This study analyses the results of an impact evaluation of 30 small-scale energy development projects to better understand whether and how the supply of sustainable energy services supports productive use activities and whether these activities have the expected positive impacts on local livelihoods. A contribution analysis is applied to systematically evaluate the impact pathways for the productive use of energy.

The results show that access to sustainable energy does not automatically result in productive activities and that energy is only one of the input factors required to foster socio-economic development. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that activities, materials and information to support the productive use of energy – such as training, equipment or market research – need to be an integrated part of the energy project itself to allow for productive activities to develop on a wider scale.

Read or download (free open access until 26 September, 2018): Productive Use of Energy – Pathway to Development?

The purpose of this meeting is to share progress and lessons learned and to strengthen networking and exchange among biodigester practitioners in Ecuador.

You may still register for the event until 31 August 2018, which will take place at the UTA Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias Querochaca of the Universidad Técnica de Ambato.

Read more about the network's recent activities (as part of one of WISIONS' SEPS projects): RedBioEc, The Ecuadorian Biodigester Network (July 17th, 2018).