Technology transfer for renewable energy : overcoming barriers in developing countries / Gill Wilkins.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wilkins, Gill.

Contributor:

Sustainable Development Programme (Royal Institute of International Affairs)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Technology transfer.

Technology transfer--Developing countries.

Developing countries.

Renewable energy sources--Developing countries.

Renewable energy sources.

Appropriate technology--Developing countries.

Appropriate technology.

Physical Description:

xvii, 237 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Place of Publication:

London : Royal Institute of International Affairs : Earthscan ; Washington, D.C. : Distributed in North America by the Brookings Institute, 2002.

Summary:

This is a practical book on ways to speed up and facilitate the transfer of renewable energy technology to developing countries. Renewable energy has an enormous potential to contribute towards sustainable development, environmental protection and achieving the International Development Targets (IDTs) for poverty reduction. Renewables offer significant investment opportunities, particularly for countries needing to rapidly develop energy supplies and infrastructure, while also mitigating emissions and climate change.

The author draws on extensive case study material from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, the South Pacific, Kenya and India, to explain the main barriers to the successful transfer of renewable energy technology, the role of key players and how the clean development mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol can be used to stimulate investment and a market for clean energy supplies. The book focuses in particular on two technologies: grid-connected biomass cogeneration systems and stand-alone solar home systems. It is an important and valuable tool for planners and policy-makers, and for the investment community, as well as energy, environment and development specialists including academics, consultants, developers, installers and manufacturers.

Contents:

1 A role for renewables 5

1.1 Improving energy security 5

1.1.1 Trends in world energy use 5

1.1.2 Current deployment of renewable energy and future prospects 10

1.1.3 The need for indigenous local energy sources 13

1.1.4 A niche for renewable energy 15

1.2 Powering sustainable development 17

1.2.1 Energy services 17

1.2.2 Energy and development 22

1.2.3 Achieving international development targets 24

1.3 Reducing environmental impacts 31

1.3.1 Local impacts 31

1.3.2 Global impacts 32

2 Transferring technology to developing countries: key actors and roles 42

2.1 Developments in technology transfer 42

2.1.1 Defining technology transfer 43

2.1.2 Technology transfer in the context of sustainable development and climate change 47

2.2 Key actors and roles 56

2.2.2 The role of governments 62

2.2.3 The role of international finance institutions 63

2.2.4 The role of private sector organizations 64

2.2.5 The role of civil society 64

2.3 Risks and rewards 64

3 Investment in technology transfer 73

3.1 Key investors for renewable energy 73

3.1.1 International institutions 73

3.1.2 National institutions 86

3.1.3 Private companies 88

3.1.4 Non-governmental organizations 88

3.2 Investment trends 90

3.3 Finance mechanisms 102

3.3.1 Innovative finance mechanisms 102

3.3.2 Potential investment via the CDM 110

4 Barriers and options 120

4.1 Barriers 120

4.1.2 National policies and programmes 123

4.1.3 Institutional structures 125

4.1.4 Intellectual property and standards 126

4.1.5 Information exchange, education and training 129

4.1.6 Financing 131

4.1.7 Social 134

4.1.8 Others 135

4.2.1 Summary of barriers to solar home systems 139

4.2.2 Summary of barriers to biomass cogeneration 142

4.3 Options 144

4.3.1 Encouraging technology transfer 144

4.3.2 Overcoming the barriers in developing countries 148

5 The way forward 162

5.1 Actions needed 162

5.1.1 Actions needed for solar home systems 162

5.1.2 Actions needed for biomass cogeneration 164

5.1.3 Common actions needed 165

5.2 Engagement of key actors 165

5.2.1 Key actions for government 171

5.2.2 Key actions for international finance institutions 173

5.2.3 Key actions for private companies 173

5.2.4 Key actions for civil society 174.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Published in association with the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

ISBN:

1853837539

OCLC:

46694917