Technology transfer for renewable energy : overcoming barriers in developing countries

This book highlights the role that renewable energy can play in achieving sustainable development. It focuses on rural areas of developing countries, looking in particular at stand-alone solar home systems and grid-connected biomass cogeneration plant. It provides a summary of the main barriers to the successful transfer of renewable energy technology, illustrated by case studies drawn from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, the South Pacific, Kenya and India. Options for overcoming the barriers and the role of key players are presented. The book also outlines the potential role of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol in facilitating renewable energy technology transfer in the context of climate change.The book will appeal to academics, consultants, technology manufacturers, international funding bodies, multilateral and bilateral aid agencies, policy-makers and planners in developing countries.

Author Notes

Gill Wilkins is a Principal Consultant with AEA Technology, an Energy Adviser to the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and an Associate Fellow with the Sustainable Development Programme of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA).

Jose Goldemberg

List of figures, tables and boxes	p. viii
List of abbreviations	p. x
Foreword	p. xvi
Acknowledgments	p. xviii
Introduction	p. 1
1 A role for renewables	p. 5
1.1 Improving energy security	p. 5
1.1.1 Trends in world energy use	p. 5
1.1.2 Current deployment of renewable energy and future prospects	p. 10
1.1.3 The need for indigenous local energy sources	p. 13
1.1.4 A niche for renewable energy	p. 15
1.2 Powering sustainable development	p. 17
1.2.1 Energy services	p. 17
1.2.2 Energy and development	p. 22
1.2.3 Achieving international development targets	p. 24
1.3 Reducing environmental impacts	p. 31
1.3.1 Local impacts	p. 31
1.3.2 Global impacts	p. 32
2 Transferring technology to developing countries: key actors and roles	p. 42
2.1 Developments in technology transfer	p. 42
2.1.1 Defining technology transfer	p. 43
2.1.2 Technology transfer in the context of sustainable development and climate change	p. 47
2.2 Key actors and roles	p. 56
2.2.1 Key actors	p. 56
2.2.2 The role of governments	p. 62
2.2.3 The role of international finance institutions	p. 63
2.2.4 The role of private sector organizations	p. 64
2.2.5 The role of civil society	p. 64
2.3 Risks and rewards	p. 64
2.3.1 Risks	p. 65
2.3.2 Rewards	p. 69
3 Investment in technology transfer	p. 73
3.1 Key investors for renewable energy	p. 73
3.1.1 International institutions	p. 73
3.1.2 National institutions	p. 86
3.1.3 Private companies	p. 88
3.1.4 Non-governmental organizations	p. 88
3.2 Investment trends	p. 90
3.3 Finance mechanisms	p. 102
3.3.1 Innovative finance mechanisms	p. 102
3.3.2 Potential investment via the CDM	p. 110
4 Barriers and options	p. 120
4.1 Barriers	p. 120
4.1.1 Introduction	p. 120
4.1.2 National policies and programmes	p. 123
4.1.3 Institutional structures	p. 125
4.1.4 Intellectual property and standards	p. 126
4.1.5 Information exchange, education and training	p. 129
4.1.6 Financing	p. 131
4.1.7 Social	p. 134
4.1.8 Others	p. 135
4.2 Case studies	p. 138
4.2.1 Summary of barriers to solar home systems	p. 139
4.2.2 Summary of barriers to biomass cogeneration	p. 142
4.3 Options	p. 144
4.3.1 Encouraging technology transfer	p. 144
4.3.2 Overcoming the barriers in developing countries	p. 148
5 The way forward	p. 162
5.1 Actions needed	p. 162
5.1.1 Actions needed for solar home systems	p. 162
5.1.2 Actions needed for biomass cogeneration	p. 164
5.1.3 Common actions needed	p. 165
5.2 Engagement of key actors	p. 165
5.2.1 Key actions for government	p. 171
5.2.2 Key actions for international finance institutions	p. 173
5.2.3 Key actions for private companies	p. 173
5.2.4 Key actions for civil society	p. 174
5.3 Conclusion	p. 174
Annex 1 Case studies	p. 177
Annex 2 Analysis of case studies: options for overcoming barriers	p. 216
References	p. 234

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