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Electricity is one of the essential requirements for the economic development of a country. In Ethiopia, more than half of the total population does not have access to electric power. Micro-hydropower (MHP) is one of the most feasible renewable energy options for providing reliable electricity to rural areas. However, in low-income countries such as Ethiopia, the high price of a purpose-made turbine to generate electricity from MHP resources is difficult. This paper presents the feasibility study of a pump as a turbine (PAT) for MHP applications with and without impeller blade modification. The analysis was conducted in terms of initial investment cost, the net present value, payback periods, and the cost of energy. Decreasing blade thickness, blade tip rounding, adjusting blade inlet angle, and blade grooving, then comparing the result with PAT without modification and cross-flow turbine are the modification techniques considered in this research. Based on the projected system lifetime, the equivalent cost of power for the PAT and cross-flow turbines are 0.065 and 0.100 $/kWh respectively. The cross-flow turbine's payback period is 6.04 years, which is significantly longer than the PATs payback period of 3.42 years. From the entire study, it can be concluded that the MHP coupled with PAT provides a lower payback period and cheaper power production. Whereas, impeller blade modification has no significant advantage from the economic point of view. Generally, the impeller modification cost needs to be less than or equal to 25% of the initial cost of the PAT to use the less cost advantage of the PAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carrot washing and grading is performed after harvesting and before transporting to the market has been done with traditional methods by farmers in Ethiopia with too tedious, much time, and labor-consuming which leads to health problems, Fertile soil erosion, discouraging for carrot production and river water pollution. The main objective of this study was to design, develop, and perform the evaluation of carrot washing and grading machine after harvesting before transporting to market that was not used for cooking purposes to alleviate the above-stated problems. During design, a power source, initial speed, and discharge capacity of the pump were considered as 50 W, 6.28 m s-1 and 0.036 L s-1 respectively based on literature reviews. Performance of this machine evaluation was carried out with Nantey variety at two levels of feeding loads 10kg and 15 kg at different drum speeds; 1.47 m s - 1, 2.20 m s-1, and 2.93 m s-1. The data was collected in both qualitative and quantitative methods. The overall mean results obtained for performance indicators in terms of time required to complete washing and grading activities, washing efficiency, grading efficiency, percentage of damage root, and throughout put capacity were recorded as 2.22 minutes, 98.70%, 92.23%, 1.21%, and 242.17 kg h-1, respectively. The results indicated that the time required of 2 to 10.88minutes, washing efficiencies of 84.87% to 98.70% or the range of the variable of drum speed between 1.47 to 2.93 m s-1 and for the range of the variable of feeding load 10-15 kg. As the speed climbed from 1.47 to 2.93 m s-1 and the feeding load rose from 10 to 15 kg, the grading efficiency increased from 72.89% to 92.23%. Each one of these machines cost $313.18. The grading unit should be adjusted to a vibration mechanism by separating it from the washing unit in a layer of the machine frame because the carrot roots have low sphericity (30%), which led to some amounts of carrot roots being erroneously graded. Additionally, it is suggested that the pedal-turning mechanism be modified to serve the dual function of generating power that may be stored during operation and used at night in order to enhance rural electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia has a wide range of environmentally-friendly, renewable energy resources that can assist the country to overcome its rural electricity problems. The Hybrid Optimization Model for Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software package was used to evaluate the viability of solar, hydro and wind hybrid power generation for a remote community in Ethiopia's Geba catchment. The hydrologic, climatic and demographic data were used to analyze the community's electrical supply and demand. Using survey data from chosen residences, the community's hourly and daily electricity demands were calculated. Two or more schemes were investigated besides the standalone scheme to assess the hybrid system's capacity. Wind, micro-hydro and solar can generate an average annual power of 96.8, 272.4 and 161.8 kW, respectively. A mix of energy sources can meet the community's electricity demand. During peak demand periods, however, the hybrid system's mean hourly variability in power production showed inadequacy, which could be remedied by power stored in the battery and generator output. The economic analysis showed that the hybrid system proposed here is less expensive, indicating that hybrid energy generation might be employed to electrify Ethiopia's remote settlements. We advise decision-makers and power authorities to use hybrid systems for rural electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore the sustainability potential of an alternative commons-based mode of production called cosmolocalism. Cosmolocal production combines global knowledge production with local physical production. Such a production mode has been applied across the globe for locally manufacturing small wind turbines (SWTs) for rural electrification. We assess the sustainability of such cosmolocal SWTs in a case study of electrifying a rural community in Ethiopia. In this context, the life cycles of five SWT alternatives have been compared, ranging from conventional industrially produced turbines to open-source locally manufactured and maintained ones. Our case study indicates that the local manufacturing and maintenance of SWTs offer significant advantages and may redeem small wind turbines as a sustainable component for rural electrification. Specifically, the fully cosmolocal alternative (A1) performs better than any other alternative in technical, environmental, and social criteria, while it is close to the best-performing alternative with regard to economic objectives. For this solution to be implemented, the institutional burden cannot be neglected, but can rather be considered a sine qua non condition for locally manufactured and maintained SWTs. A set of generic institutional interventions to create favourable conditions for cosmolocal production is proposed, which needs to be elaborated in a context-specific manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently; Ethiopia is one of the countries which is under developing and one of the strategies to be used to develop the country is to explore and develop the sector of energy. Ethiopia needs to develop the rural electrification sectors in order to provide illumination to the population living in those rural remote areas for rapid development in different sectors like schools; health centers; business centers and administrative officers. Hence the current energy regime in Ethiopia, that is heavily reliant on the burning of biomass, has had major implications for the environment. In Ethiopia there is a fast depletion of renewable sources that is used in the past & in now days for the generation of electricity and the difficulty in reachability of the grid supply to the remote villages is a big challenge faced. The best possible remedial measure in this situation is to make use of the natural water resources available to generate electricity. In an endeavourance towards this end, the paper has been formulated for the electrification of six selected remote Kebeles in Bambasi woreda. This kebeles are kinds of locality in which there are a tribal settlement of about 600 families each that do not have opportunity of electrical energy supply. The present work focus on the feasibility studies carried out at the site for the assessment of mini hydro power plant potential of the selected site. The results of the study reveal that there is a huge potential at the site to develop a mini hydro power plant which would meet the energy demand of the tribal settlement and thereby improving their living condition. But the river is intermittent so that it is recommended to construct dam for the purpose of storage of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a set of aspirational objectives for the world, addressing interlinked themes including poverty, hunger, and climate action. Meeting these goals requires a similarly integrated and interdisciplinary approach. One component of such an approach may be agrivoltaic systems (AVS): dual use solar and agricultural systems wherein crops are grown beneath and between solar panels. Given their intersectoral nature, AVS will have complex impacts on the achievement of the SDGs. This analysis seeks to evaluate how AVS could impact progress towards the SDGs based on literature around the impacts of agriculture, solar, and AVS, and the indicators measuring progress towards the SDGs. It uses a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework and applies it in a unique way to understand the direct and immediate impacts to the SDGs following the installation of an AVS (i.e., strengths and weaknesses), and the potential impacts on the SDGs based on secondary or supplementary actions taken once an AVS is installed (i.e., opportunities and threats). Though the most obvious of AVS' impacts to the SDGs will be on Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), evaluation of individual indicators shows that AVS can quantifiably impact 14 out of 17 SDGs, largely in a positive manner. However, evaluating impacts on the SDGs indicator by indicator also reveals possible negative, and unexpected, consequences of AVS. Yet, impacts on the SDGs will vary by location-specific factors such as climate, and so this analysis concludes with an application of the SWOT framework in Ethiopia for a farm where an AVS is under consideration. Altogether, this work should provide a means for evaluating the impacts of AVS on SDGs and insights into how to mitigate possible detrimental impacts while capitalizing on benefits. • Agrivoltaics measurably impact 13 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. • Impacts of agrivoltaics depend on a reference case: single use agriculture or solar. • Agrivoltaic systems can underpin rural electrification of farms and schools. • Targeted government initiatives can capitalize on the benefits of agrivoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on social, economic, and political situations of all countries around the world with no sight to its end. Business sectors such as solar distributors, which have been instrumental in supporting the governments' ambitious universal electrification programs, have been negatively affected by the pandemic. The main aim of this paper is therefore to explore and conduct a comparative assessment before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic of the key challenges of solar‐based businesses in Ethiopia focusing on the distributors and installers and to provide policy recommendations. Qualitative and quantitative assessments were employed during this study. The results show that before the pandemic, finding a skilled workforce, gaining a technical knowledge of the technology, competing in the market, and lack of consumer awareness and initial investment were the key challenges. The importation of solar technologies has been halted by the arrival of the COVID‐19 exacerbating existing challenges and threatening the very existence of the businesses. The impact of the pandemic on income levels of end‐users of solar technologies, together with the lack of sufficient supply of technologies to the businesses, most of the businesses are forced to lay off their employees deepening the unemployment rate and, in some cases, forcing businesses to be closed. These circumstances affect economic development and dents the progress made so far in facilitating energy access to remote communities. To protect these vulnerable but very essential small businesses, necessary interventions are recommended. This article is categorized under:Photovoltaics > Economics and Policy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide rural communities with low-cost electricity, innovative off-grid renewable energy producing techniques have emerged. The International Energy Agency estimates that around 45% of Ethiopia’s total population have access to electricity. Nearly 85% of Ethiopia’s urban population has access to public electricity, but this figure is only 29% for the rural population. This study examines the feasibility of using combined photovoltaic (PV)/diesel/battery systems to power a remote rural school in southern Ethiopia. The performance of various hybrid systems was assessed using techno-economic and environmental analyses, and the optimal solution was chosen using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) analytic tool. The evaluation criteria include net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE) and emissions. The results indicate that PV/DG/battery hybrid energy system (HES) with a 7.5 kW PV, 7.3 kW DG, 6.60 kW converter, and 11 units of batteries (case I) is the most feasible, optimized, cost-effective and environmentally friendly system among the systems considered. This system has a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $32,019 and a Cost of Energy (COE) of $0.254/kWh, as computed using current equipment values. The optimized system is also environmentally benign, emitting 793 kg of carbon dioxide per year, about 91% less than the PV/diesel combination (worst case IV). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was performed to examine the impacts of altering factors such as solar radiation, fuel price, and battery minimum state of charge (SOCmin) on system cost and performance. We believe that the information given in this paper will shed light on the current state and future prospects for renewable energy deployment in Ethiopia, and also show that, if policymakers create the necessary investment environment, such projects can be a viable alternative to rural electrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving universal electricity access is a challenging goal for the governments of developing countries such as Ethiopia. Extending the national grid to the remotely located, scattered, and island populations demands a huge investment. This paper aims to show the techno-economic feasibility of minigrid renewable energy system to electrify Kibran Gabriel island in Ethiopia, through the execution of simulation, optimization and sensitivity analysis using Hybrid Optimization Models for Energy Resources (HOMER Pro) software. The minigrid systems were compared with both diesel generation (DG) and grid extension systems. The hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/DG/battery system is more economically feasible compared with other minigrid systems, and the best cost-effective option is the one including load flow (LF) strategy with 25 kW of PV, 10 kW of DG, 40 kWh of battery, and 5 kW of bi-directional convertor. The optimal PV/DG/Battery system, having levelized cost of energy (COE) of USD 0.175/kWh, net present cost (NPC) of USD 119,139 and renewable fraction (RF) of 86.4%, reduces the pollutant emissions by 33,102 kg/yr compared with the stand-alone DG system. The optimal minigrid sensitivity to the variations in global horizontal irradiance (GHI), diesel price and load consumption were considered in the sensitivity analysis, and the result shows that the system will operate reasonably well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of access to electricity is one of the major impediments to economic development and the provision of public services in rural/off-grid areas of developing countries. This study examines the drivers and impacts of rural electrification with Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems in Ethiopia from a cross-sectional study of 605 rural households and direct field examination of 137 solar PVs/lanterns. Multiple linear regression and econometric analyses were used to analyse the data. Findings showed that the use of solar PV systems in rural Ethiopia is growing and its impact appears significant. A solar-electrified rural household could save the consumption of 43.68 L of kerosene and emission of 107 kg CO 2 per year compared with a non-electrified one. This reduction in kerosene use and the access to electricity from solar PVs could enable a rural household to save between US$ 65 and $75 per year from avoided energy costs and mobile charging expenses. The study finds that Solar PVs could provide rural households with access to electricity for 3 to 5 h a day, reduce health damage from kerosene lamps; and allow micro-businesses to generate more income. Empirical results from a binomial logit, and multivariate probit analyses revealed that solar PV adoption is strongly influenced by several economic and non-economic factors. However, it was also found that the use and effectiveness of solar PV systems in rural/off-grid Ethiopia is faced with critical challenges from poor quality and counterfeit products in the market, high cost of quality-verified solar products, lack of after-sales maintenance services, and limited access to credit financing sources. • A solar-electrified household consumes 43.68 L less kerosene per year. • A solar-electrified household could save US$ 65 to 75 per year from solar PVs. • Solar PVs provide access to electricity for 3 to 5 h a day, reduce health risks. • Solar PVs allowed micro-businesses to generate more income. • Major challenges include counterfeit products, high cost of quality products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, which can meet the ambitions of nationwide electrification. However, in spite of all its available potentials the country energy sector is still in its infancy stage. The majority of Ethiopia population lives in the rural area without access to modern energy and relied solely on traditional biomass energy sources. Nowadays Ethiopia has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita in Africa. Recognizing that energy access and security are a crucial factor to economic growth; Ethiopia needs to cope with key challenges related to energy security and diversification of energy supply. This paper provides a comprehensive and extensive review of renewable energy potentials in Ethiopia. Further, current state of renewable energy resources is described and existing energy policies are articulated. Various policies, that could possibly promote energy technology use in a rural Ethiopia, are proposed. Finally, this paper helps the researchers as well as the government officials to find the better renewable energy technology to meet rural community energy demand; by raising awareness of the country energy potentials and current state of renewable energy, along with proposing pragmatic recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is the backbone of the economic development of a country. Ethiopia has bulk energy resource potential, and the effect of energy poverty on well-being, physical health, agriculture automation, education system, industries, and ability to prosper is valuable. A large proportion of the population living in Ethiopia has no electricity access. Among more than 110 million people living in Ethiopia, 46% only use electric energy for day-to-day activities like food preparation and other tasks. In the rural area of the country, where 80% of the population lives, people have no sustainable energy supply. The rural electrification needs special mechanisms to enhance the living standards of the people by opening opportunities for electric power infrastructures. The sustainable development of the country will be achieved when citizens are enabled to live up to the standard of living as humans. This paper investigates energy poverty in Ethiopia and its impact on the living standards of the people, like human resource development, health of individuals, and automation of agriculture, for the purpose of upgrading individual's lifestyle in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet sustainable development goals and address concerns on climate change, much of the world's energy demand is expected to be delivered from clean alternative energy sources. Smallscale wind turbines have proven to be applicable for off-grid electrification. The objective of this study is to present the details on the design and manufacture of a 1 kW wind turbine blade for specified conditions. Blade element moment theory is adopted in the design of the geometry of the blade. Accordingly, the aerodynamic analysis on NACA 64A410 airfoil resulted in a blade radius of 1.95m, an overall twist angle of 31°, and a gradually tapering chord length of 0.062m at the root and 0.247m at the tip of the blade. Then, the wind turbine blades are manufactured from fiberglass (mat350g), resin, catalyst, and gelcoat. Experimental results reveal the wind turbine blades started producing power at a cut-in wind speed of 3m/s. The maximum power achieved during the testing process was 900W at a hub wind velocity of 9m/s. This is lower than the expected 1000W theoretical power output due to not perfect workmanship in the manufacture of the wind turbine blades. This study will help in building local manufacturing facilities and enhance rural electrification through off-grid technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural electrification plans are a means of enhancing electricity services in a given area within a given period of time in accordance with pre-defined strategies. Establishment of prioritization concepts on the basis of objective criteria provides important indications for practical energy development. The choice of the most suitable electrification option with the given context is vital in energy planning. In developing countries, it's difficult to electrify a sparsely populated community. Lack of scientific and methodological know-how in regards planning, site selection, distribution and density of population settlement, economic level, and distance from the national grid are main factors to lowest electrification rates in Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this study is to study the introduction of renewable energy systems as a possible alternative for rural electrification by using geospatial technologies in South Gondar Zone. Data like sunshine hour/irradiance, wind speed, slope, land use-land cover, protected areas, water bodies, forest, and towns are collected and analyzed with ArcGIS. These data are used to identify optimal electrification options for particular areas in four districts of the Zone. The weighting factors of these criteria are also determined using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). This weighted and reclassified values are multiplied to produce the final map of electrification options. From the final results obtained, study area covers 5226.289 square kilometers from which 2897.742, 2836.134, and 802.003 square kilometer area is suitable for electrification using solar, wind, and grid extension, respectively. Solar energy is the optimal options for most of area in the Zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar PV is possible alternative renewable energy resources, particularly for rural electrification. Its high demand growth may cause for land scarcity, and this will be a serious problem in countries like Ethiopia where agriculture is main source of economy and population large size. In addition to land scarcity, low efficiency of photovoltaic land installation is another problem. Hence, photovoltaic performance is relying on weather conditions, operation parameters like temperature and wind speed. Water bodies can be alternatives to install photovoltaic to the scarcest land and decrease impact of temperature on photovoltaic. To reduce the affirmation problems floating system is an alternative technology. Floating photovoltaic plants are an emerging form of PV system that floats on water bodies. Land installation of photovoltaic increases risk of PV module efficiency drops land scarcity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to design floating system for Debre Mariam Island to increases efficiency of solar cell and save land. To tackle mentioned problems floating photovoltaic installation is method used. Floating photovoltaic provides efficient energy supply and new strategy to save land. Thus, floating photovoltaic system is modeled so as to satisfy daily energy load demand of Debre Mariam Island community electric loads. The temperature and wind speed are major contributory factors for panel efficiency drops and low power output in land photovoltaic installations. 294.8 kW is the generated power output of solar floating system whereas 289.9 kW is the generated power output of land photovoltaic installation. Thus, floating PV installation increases the generated power output by 4.9 kW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel, highly demanded globally at the beginning of the 21st Century because of depletion of fossil fuel reserve and environmental issues. In this paper, oil yielding tree species were reviewed and seeds of nine tree species were collected to select best seed oil producer and its emission reducing biodiesel and land suitability. Seed oil was extracted by mechanical, hydraulic and chemical methods and stored at room temperature (25°C) and deep freeze (-20°C). Then, the tree species with highest oil yield was further studied its biodiesel, estimated end use emission as rural household energy and its land suitability. Using hexane solvent, the oil yield was 12 (%, w/w) in Cordia africana to 50.2 (%, w/w) in Croton megalocarpus, which was 44.7% in hydraulic seed oil press. The biodiesel yield of C. megalocarpus was 82% to 100% (w/w), calorific value 38.8 to 43.2 MJ kg-1, and flashpoint to 103°C. The biodiesel of C. megalocarpus contained esters like Octanoic acid methyl ester; and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-, methyl esters. If a rural household uses biodiesel instead of firewood and kerosene, it is possible to reduce end use emission by 38.9% to 39.4%. As C. megalocarpus is a multipurpose tree species with potential source of cooking biodiesel fuel, it can be planted in some 34 million ha suitable land areas of Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia's electric grid relies mostly on hydropower for electricity generation. Compared to metropolitan regions, rural areas have only 5% access to power, and 83% of remote areas rely on traditional biomass energy for lighting and cooking. Close to 60% of the land area in Ethiopia is pastoral, and electrifying from the main grid is a major challenge due to economic, technical, and nomadic reasons. This paper explores the feasibility analysis, design, and simulation of an off-grid solar Photovoltaic system in addition to discussing the complete engagement of national energy policy and a strategic plan for electrifying a pastoral Communities' in Borena. Using solar radiation base data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a case study is performed at Moyale, Yabelo, and Dire, which have 454 households, 367 households, and 379 households, respectively. Through the HOMER software simulation, the optimization determines the inverter, battery size and number, and solar array's capacity. The daily energy usage and peak power demand in the pastoral communities of Moyale, Yabelo, and Dire were 498.102 kWh/day, 447.114 kWh/day, and 454.02 kWh/day, or 36.89 kW, 35.41 kW, and 35.68 kW, respectively. Due to the country's subsidizing of all clean energy costs, off-grid solar Photovoltaic systems are more economically feasible than diesel generators, which have a level cost of electricity of 0.4 US$/kWh. National energy strategic plans and policies ultimately support the full involvement of off-grid solar Photovoltaic electrification at remote sites. • The design, simulation, and feasibility study of an off-grid solar PV system are investigated. • The inverter, battery size, number of batteries, and solar array's capacity are determined by optimization using HOMER software. • The three locations, Moyale, Yabelo, and Dire, have significant solar resource potential. • The nation subsidizing electricity prices, solar PV systems are preferred, especially for pastorals living in remote places. • Off-grid solar PV electrification for selected sites was fully supported and viable by a national strategic plan and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standalone solar photovoltaic systems are increasingly being distributed in Ethiopia, but these systems are sub-optimal due to their intermittent power supply. A hybrid system that integrates and optimizes across solar photovoltaic and complementary energy sources, such as wind and diesel generation, can improve reliability, and reduce the unit cost of power production. This study assesses the potential of a hybrid system to electrify a remote rural village in Ethiopia. The Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables model is used to assess primary data, develop a load profile and identify the optimal least-cost system option for the village. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effect of variations in solar radiation, wind speed, and diesel price on optimal system configurations. The results show that a hybrid system with a combination of photovoltaic array, wind turbine, battery and diesel generator is the best option from an economic point of view. To meet the village's daily peak demand of 19.6 kW, energy generation cost is estimated at 0.207 dollars per kilowatt hour and net present cost at 82,734 dollars. The optimal system allows for a reduction of 37.3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year compared with diesel-only electricity generation. • Feasibility of photovoltaic-wind-diesel based hybrid system is carried out. • Questionnaire survey based primary data used for load calculation. • Optimization model is used for system optimization and sensitivity analysis. • Model result shows the unit cost of electricity at $0.207 for a feasible system. • Optimal system allows a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of decentralized solar photovoltaic (PV) mini-grids for rural electrification is increasing in developing countries, but little is known about the determinants of electricity consumption of communities electrified through these technologies. This paper examines the factors influencing the electricity consumption of rural households and small businesses electrified by off-grid PV mini-grids based on actual metered load data and a survey of 218 customers in two isolated small towns (Omorate and Tum) in Ethiopia. Empirical analyses were performed using Censored Tobit models. Results showed that the load curves of the two towns have different characteristics and patterns. While the load curve at Omorate is regularly interrupted for 13 h a day due to load-shedding, the mini-grid at Tum generates enough electricity to meet demand. Empirical results showed that electricity consumption of households is significantly associated with household size, income, dwelling type, number of rooms, cooling fans, cooking with electricity and load-shedding. In contrast, the electricity consumption of businesses is strongly linked with income, electricity price, number of rooms, number of cooling fans, refrigerators, number of other (productive use) appliances, and load-shedding/location. The findings suggest three key points. First, electricity demand of rural households and businesses is influenced by separate but interconnected sets of factors. Second, supply-side factors, appliance factors, type of end-use of electricity and location -specific factors influence demand more than income and price factors. Third, mini-grid policy making and dimensioning in rural East Africa must take into account the differing electricity demands and determinants across customer groups and locations. • Determinants of rural electricity consumption from off-grid mini-grids investigated. • Productive use customers consume four times the consumption of ordinary households. • Demand of households is correlated with income, appliances stock and load-shedding. • Demand of enterprises is linked with tariff rate, appliances stock and load-shedding. • Customers in warm and high temperature locations have higher electricity demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the design, modeling, and performance analysis of a Pelton turbine using CFD for one of the selected micro hydro potential sites in Ethiopia to meet the requirements of the energy demands. The site has a net head of 47.5 m and flow rate of 0.14 m3/s. The design process starts with the design of initial dimensions for the runner based on different literatures and directed towards the modeling of bucket using CATIA V5. The performance of the runner has been analyzed in ANSYS CFX (CFD) under given loading conditions of the turbine. Consequently, the present study has also the ambition to reduce the size of the runner to have a cost effective runner design. The case study described in this paper provides an example of how the size of turbine can affect the efficiency of the turbine. These were discussed in detail which helps in understanding of the underlying fluid dynamic design problem as an aid for improving the efficiency and lowering the manufacturing cost for future study. The result showed that the model is highly dependent on the size and this was verified and discussed properly using flow visualization of the computed flow field and published result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photovoltaic stand-alone systems are largely regarded as a viable option for decentralized rural electrification in developing countries. However, literature review reveals lack of documented experiences with installed PV systems such as Solar home systems as well as general problems with system maintenance and battery up keeping. This paper presents results from monitoring 31 stand-alone PV systems in remote health posts of North Gondar Zone in Ethiopia from installation until system failure; several systematic factors were found to have contributed to failure: lack of clear responsibility for the systems due to regular job rotation among health workers and lack of upfront, gender sensitive training, lack of equipment for maintenance work, very slow and unreliable chain of information in case of system failure and costly double tracking of energy supply. Nonfunctioning PV systems were found to threaten the technology'’s reputation by word of mouth. The results gained in this research provide important lessons for future programs of rural electrification by means of PV systems: they stress the importance of awareness building amongst funding agencies as well as the imperative of intense and sensitive training for users, especially women, and advocate for considering living conditions of users in system design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the importance of social interactions in determining an individual's choice to connect to an electrical grid, using an original data set on a new rural electrification program in Ethiopia. Combining global positioning system information with random allocation of discount vouchers for connection to the grid, we show that neighbors' connection behaviors have large effects on a household's connection decision. This effect is also shown to decrease by distance: no peer effect is found for neighbors living farther than 100 meters away. Evidence also suggests that expectation interactions (through social learning of the benefits of electricity) or constraint interactions (through direct externalities of one's connection on others' well-being) are unlikely to fully account for these effects and that preference interactions (through a "keeping up with neighbors" type of mechanism) appear to be a plausible explanation. We discuss implications for further research and the design of development interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Though initiated only at smaller scales so far, “Project Gaia” offers an innovative Ethiopian model for using byproducts from the sugar industry to create an ethanol fuel that can be utilized by cleaner burning cookstoves, predominately internally displaced refugees. Backed by the Shell Foundation and a collection of NGOs, Project Gaia has distributed almost 4000 ethanol combusting stoves throughout refugee camps in Ethiopia. After summarizing the research methods utilized by the authors and introducing readers to the energy situation in Ethiopia, this study describes the history, benefits, and challenges of Project Gaia. Though the number of distributed stoves is small, they have lessened the burden of collecting fuelwood for Ethiopian refugees, reduced deforestation around refugee camps, displaced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved the health of cooks and children—all for roughly one-third the cost of kerosene, the most prevalent substitute fuel for cooking. However, if Project Gaia is to continue to deliver these benefits, a pernicious set of educational, political, and logistical barriers must be overcome. The final part of the study details these barriers, and it concludes by pointing out the significance of government consistency, technological appropriateness, and the coupling of energy services with commercial enterprises for efforts like Project Gaia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethiopia is among the least developed countries on the globe with a total access to electricity not exceeding 16%. About 85% of the population lives in places where access to electricity is less than 2%. One such a place, which is the subject of this study, is the Dejen district (10°13′24.03″N, 38°07′58″E) having a total population of 107,710 within 23 villages. About 14 villages (corresponding to 63,000 people) are found in the upper Blue Nile river gorge and far remote areas, which makes the task of their electrification via grid system very difficult. Kerosene for lighting, diesel for milling and pumping, biomass for cooking and dry cells for radio are being used in the non-electrified villages. Nothing has been done so far in developing the renewable energy resources, such as small-scale hydro, solar, and wind energy in the district. In this work, feasibility of small-scale Hydro/PV/Wind based hybrid electric supply system to the district is studied. Six sites (two on Taba stream, one on Bechet stream, two on Muga stream and one on Suha stream) with small-scale hydropower potentials have been identified. The hydro potentials are analyzed with the help of GIS and data obtained from the Ministry of Water Resource (MoWR) of Ethiopia. Meteorological data from National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia and other sources, such as NASA, is used for the estimation of solar and wind energy potentials. Electric load for the basic needs of the community, such as, for lighting, radio, television, electric baker, water pumps and flour mills, is estimated. Primary schools and health posts are also considered for the community. HOMER energy is used for optimization and sensitivity analysis of the hybrid system. Taba (B) site is selected for detailed study and, as a final result, different system types and their component sizes are identified having a cost of energy less than $0.16/kWh. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to combat poverty and support the Millennium Development Goals through providing access to modern energy, it is necessary to analyze social acceptance of new forms of energy and conduct a socio-technical approach in order to implement them successfully. Nine different Pico Photovoltaic systems were tested during a field study in a non-electrified village in Ethiopia. 24 families tested each the nine different types of lamps for a week. Qualitative methods were conducted in order to explore user preferences and the impact of technology. The most important perception of users are: Apart from expected benefits in health, work and education, people also notice improvements in the autonomy of children, flexibility, security, family life and the reduction of stress. Some negative aspects were also found in social community and in the unrevised absence of possible additional activities. Users'' evaluation and the performance of PicoPV systems in the field test are contrary to previous laboratory results. Ethiopian users value PicoPV systems according to brightness, duration and cone of light. Furthermore, people prefer white, bright light as well as a built-in switch. In the end 30 systems were bought — partly even by non-participants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The development of energy networks and electrification is a major challenge in many African countries, which can contribute to reducing social inequalities. Energy, and above all electricity, is a decisive factor influencing the functioning of national governments. The power of governments in individual countries depends on the energy sector. Therefore, it is worth noting that during the presidential elections, candidates make many promises related to the improvement of the energy supply. The article shows, using the examples of Guinea, Ethiopia and Egypt, how politicians in the pre-election period use slogans related to the energy and development of the country. The innovative side of this article looks at how politicians keep their promises by using the energy sector and how they secure victory in the next election. The article linked the objective needs for the development of the energy sector resulting from the growing demand for energy with the motives of the decisions makers who want to maintain power through the implementation of new investments in the energy sector. The paper presents the results of research on the development of the energy sector and the motives for this development, explains how energy investments are realized, and discusses the environmental and social problems that arise when building huge hydropower stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides a picture of energy resources and their use in rural Ethiopia. Analysis of energy supply patterns and consumption trends; Knowledge of energy systems in the country and the problems within the system; Recommendations for rural energy development.

Ethiopia is a low-income country, with low electricity access (45%) and an inefficient power transmission network. The government aims to achieve universal access and become an electricity exporter in the region by 2025. This study provides an invaluable perspective on different aspects of Ethiopia's energy transition, focusing on achieving universal access and covering the country's electricity needs during 2015–2065. We co-developed and investigated three scenarios to examine the policy and technology levels available to the government to meet their national priorities. To conduct this analysis, we soft-linked OnSSET, a modelling tool used for geospatial analysis, with OSeMOSYS, a cost-optimization modelling tool used for medium to long-run energy planning. Our results show that the country needs to diversify its power generation system to achieve universal access and cover its future electricity needs by increasing its overall carbon dioxide emissions and fully exploit hydropower. With the aim of achieving universal access by 2025, the newly electrified population is supplied primarily by the grid (65%), followed by stand-alone (32%) technologies. Similarly, until 2065, most of the electrified people by 2025 will continue to be grid-connected (99%). The country's exports will increase to 17 TWh by 2065, up from 832 GWh in 2015, leading to a cumulative rise in electricity export revenues of 184 billion USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsustainable utilization of solid biomass fuels with inefficient traditional cookstoves has long been a major challenge to ensuring energy and environmental security in Ethiopia. Against the backdrop of this problem, several models of improved biomass cookstoves (ICSs) have been developed and distributed in the country. Yet, little is known about the effect of these ICSs on household's fuelwood consumption and the environment. The aim of this study was to examine the potential woodfuel savings, economic and environmental effects of three ICSs (Mirt, Gonziye, and Tikikil) in rural Ethiopia from a cross-sectional study of 605 sample households and direct energy consumption measurements in four rural districts. Inferential statistics and cost-benefit analysis were used to analyse the data. The results showed that compared with the traditional open fire tripod; the use of ICSs could reduce household's fuelwood consumptions on average by 1.72–2.08 tons per household per year. These fuelwood savings translate to potential emissions reductions of 2.82–3.43 tCO2e per stove per year. The results from the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) indicated that investment in these ICSs could provide a net economic benefit of ETB 7204 to 10,381 (US$ 265 to 382) during the 2–5 years lifespan of the stoves. The benefit-cost ratios of these ICSs were calculated between 16.5:1 and 35.0:1. The implication is that promoting the use of Mirt, Gonziye and Tikikil stoves is a viable option and an essential component of the strategy for improving the energy-efficiency and well-being of rural communities while also contributing to the sustainable utilization of biomass resources, and mitigation of climate change in Ethiopia and beyond. • Improved cookstoves (ICS) reduce fuelwood consumption by 1.72–2.08 tons/year. • ICSs could save emissions of 2.82–3.43 tCO2e per stove per year. • ICSs provide a net economic return of US$ 265 to 382 during 2–5 years lifespan. • ICSs are viable option for improving energy-efficiency and sustainable biomass use. • ICSs should be key element of the climate change mitigation in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy access is critical for health, education and social welfare improvements. In countries like Ethiopia, with a low electrification rate and with the majority of the population located in rural areas, about 76% of primary schools do not have access to electricity. This limits the hours of classes and does not allow the use of basic or modern teaching resources. Off-grid solutions have emerged as potential cost-effective alternatives to electrify rural areas and schools, but the availability of off-grid appliances and the size of the system can lead to different solutions. Therefore, this study proposes a DC microgrid system to supply the electricity demand of a rural school located in Ethiopia, considering load estimation scenarios with standard and high-efficiency appliances. The simulation results show that the designed DC microgrid is a valid option to electrify the rural school under each load and generation scenarios. The system costs were also evaluated, and the high-efficiency appliances option has a 51% lower cost. The study also applies to other sub-Saharan countries in the region with very low energy access rates and abundant solar energy, thus giving a large contribution to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Education Goal 4 (SDG 4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downstream impacts of large hydropower projects still very often are not properly assessed, despite public awareness of unintended impacts (in the 1980s) and well-developed international standards (in the 2000s). Impacts of (hydropower-regulated) interbasin water transfers (IBWTs) are considered self-evidently positive, although they can have far-reaching consequences for hydrogeomorphological systems and consequently river-dependent communities. In this study, the downstream direct and indirect impacts of the Ethiopian hydropower-regulated Tana-Beles IBWT (Lake Tana is operated as a reservoir) are evaluated in an interdisciplinary way. The components of the framework of rural livelihoods are considered and changing contexts, resources' availabilities and livelihood strategies are analysed. Mixed methods are applied, combining hydrogeomorphological field observations, GIS analyses, scientific literature, policy documents, and semi-structured interviews with local people and local to federal authorities. Results show that the IBWT drastically increased the Beles river's discharge (with an average release of + 92 m³ s-1 at the outlet; *2 in rainy season and *12 in dry season 100 km downstream of the water release) and introduced dangerous situations for local communities (over 250 people were taken by the floods and drowned in the river). River bank erosion resulted in the uncompensated loss of farmland (163 ha) and the establishment of large-scale commercial farms increased the pressure on land and led to the impoverishment of displaced communities (4310 households). The project was implemented top-down, without any transparency, benefit sharing or compensation for external costs. This stresses the importance of downstream interdisciplinary impact assessments and highlights the need for decent in-depth ex post-analyses of hydropower projects in order to increase their sustainability and get the support from the wider public. Environmental impact assessments should be taken seriously and cannot be considered a formality (the EIA of the Beles project was not available). In Ethiopia and in many developing countries, the hydropower industry is booming. Although dams and IBWTs can be the best solution for water-related problems in specific contexts, national development goals (such as the expansion of the electricity network) should not be at the expense of rural livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the World Bank's approval of a $274.72 million international development association credit to the government of Ethiopia. The credit aims to support the country's project on rural development, rural electrification and road sector development. The approved credit for the projects would be prepaid in a 30-year period of maturity, including a 10-year grace period.