Magda Moner - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Magda Moner

Research paper thumbnail of Achieving universal electrification of rural healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized renewable energy technologies

A potential response to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with long-term benefits... more A potential response to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with long-term benefits is to provide electricity for medical equipment in rural health centers and communities. This study identifies a large gap in the electrification of healthcare facilities in SSA, and it shows that decentralized photovoltaic systems can offer a clean, reliable, quick, and cost-effective solution. The cost of providing renewable electricity to each health facility by a stand-alone PV system is analyzed for a given location (incorporating operational costs). The upfront investment cost for providing electricity with PV to >50,000 facilities (mostly primary health posts) currently without electricity is estimated at EUR 484 million. Analysis of the accessibility and population distribution shows that 281 million people could reduce their travel time to healthcare facilities (by an average of 50 min) if all facilities were electrified.

Research paper thumbnail of Decentralized rural electrification in Kenya: Speeding up universal energy access

Energy for Sustainable Development, 2019

Abstract This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastruct... more Abstract This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Kenya. With the perspective of the current energy status and local resources, the study develops a rural electrification spatial model for Kenya (RE_RU_KE tool) to identify optimal strategies for the different locations. The model considers the potential of conventional approaches (diesel gensets), clean technologies (solar, wind, hydro mini-grids), hybrid systems and the option of central grid extension to electrify remote areas in Kenya at the lowest possible cost. The model output is contrasted to the national Rural Electrification Master Plan (REM) of Kenya. While both the REM and RE_RU_KE tool target the off-grid rural electrification options, their methodological approaches are intrinsically different. The comparison between both results aims to enable valuable synergies and highlight the potential complementarities that can create added value for stakeholders involved in rural electrification planning. In particular, RE_RU_KE model output highlights the substantial role that renewable energy systems can play in decentralized generation providing universal energy access to rural households at a competitive cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy solutions in rural Africa: mapping electrification costs of distributed solar and diesel generation versus grid extension

Environmental Research Letters, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of A Multidimensional High-Resolution Assessment Approach to Boost Decentralised Energy Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020

There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp c... more There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp contrast to the continent's vast untapped renewable energy potential and due largely to the historical lack of investments in energy infrastructure. New investments in decentralised power generation within Sub-Saharan Africa play a progressively important role in increasing energy access and addressing the continent's electricity supply shortages. Tracking the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries along various socio-political and economic axes can spur the mobilisation of private, public and international sectors in investing in decentralised energy technologies. An increasing amount of high-resolution global spatial data are available, and used for various assessments. However, key multidimensional indicators are mainly still provided only at the national level. To this end, we present a comprehensive and consistent analysis of the attractiveness for decentralised photovoltaic technologies at an unprecedented level of detail using both high-resolution spatial data and national reports. We develop and build a new composite indicator that considers the interplay between social, political, environmental and financial factors at a granular regional level for Sub-Saharan Africa and embeds within it the importance of the local production costs at high-spatial resolution.

Research paper thumbnail of Photovoltaics Driving Clean Energy Access for Social Infrastructure: Existing Business Models and Emerging Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa

Springer Nature, 2021

Access to modern energy is a social and economic priority to rural population and policymakers be... more Access to modern energy is a social and economic priority to rural population and policymakers because of its direct socio-economic and environmental benefits, as well as the indirect benefits of energy as an important input factor to growth and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The electrification of rural social infrastructure (i.e. healthcare facilities and educational centres) offers the option to accelerate the well-being of the rural population in terms of the nexus between “energy for all” (SDG7) and “healthcare for all” (SDG3). The COVID-19 pandemic is further unveiling the importance of energy access to deliver reliable healthcare and education services, and improve resilience of rural communities. By powering healthcare facilities, energy services become crucial to preventing diseases and fighting the pandemic. They also enable communication and IT services, such as distance learning, which keep people connected while maintaining social distancing. When focusing on the electrification of rural social infrastructure one of the main barriers is how to finance the up-front cost as many rural communities have little expendable capital and lack access to credit and, in many countries, depends on the central government budgets. On the other hand, entrepreneurs face challenges due to the small size and risky nature of the projects arising from their remoteness and limited demand. Therefore, business models for financing off-grid electrification, especially for schools and healthcare facilities, are just as important as technological innovations. This chapter reviews existing business models for renewable energy technology deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for social infrastructure, and analyses business models ongoing progress, future trends, and suggests new solutions for promoting sustainable energy options.

Research paper thumbnail of A new scheme for the promotion of renewable energies in developing countries: the renewable energy regulated purchase tariff

The main aim of this policy-support document is to attract policy-makers attention in renewable e... more The main aim of this policy-support document is to attract policy-makers attention in renewable energies deployment, offering to energy and development stakeholders an alternative subsidy-scheme to support electrification in a village-scale mini-grid based on the good performance of the renewable electricity generation. Market support mechanisms are required to stimulate the deployment of most renewable energy technologies becoming already competitive with existing energy technology options for off-grid areas. Historically the promotion of renewable energy technologies (RET) in isolated areas has involved international donors or government subsidising the initial capacity investment. Instead, in Europe the renewable electricity generation support scheme, the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), has been a successful mechanism to increase the deployment of renewables in the country's electricity grid. The basis of the FiT mechanism involve the obligation on the part of an electricity utility to...

Research paper thumbnail of A multidimensional high-resolution assessment approach to boost decentralised energy investments in Sub-Saharan Africa

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021

There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp c... more There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp contrast to the continent's vast untapped renewable energy potential and due largely to the historical lack of investments in energy infrastructure. New investments in decentralised power generation within Sub-Saharan Africa play a progressively important role in increasing energy access and addressing the continent's electricity supply shortages. Tracking the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries along various socio-political and economic axes can spur the mobilisation of private, public and international sectors in investing in decentralised energy technologies. An increasing amount of high-resolution global spatial data are available, and used for various assessments. However, key multidimensional indicators are mainly still provided only at the national level. To this end, we present a comprehensive and consistent analysis of the attractiveness for decentralised photovoltaic technologies at an unprecedented level of detail using both high-resolution spatial data and national reports. We develop and build a new composite indicator that considers the interplay between social, political, environmental and financial factors at a granular regional level for Sub-Saharan Africa and embeds within it the importance of the local production costs at high-spatial resolution.

Research paper thumbnail of Decentralized rural electrification in Kenya: Speeding up universal energy access

Energy for Sustainable Development, 2019

This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Ke... more This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Kenya. With the perspective of the current energy status and local resources, the study develops a rural electrification spatial model for Kenya (RE_RU_KE tool) to identify optimal strategies for the different locations. The model considers the potential of conventional approaches (diesel gensets), clean technologies (solar, wind, hydro mini-grids), hybrid systems and the option of central grid extension to electrify remote areas in Kenya at the lowest possible cost. The model output is contrasted to the national Rural Electrification Master Plan (REM) of Kenya. While both the REM and RE_RU_KE tool target the off-grid rural electrification options, their methodological approaches are intrinsically different. The comparison between both results aims to enable valuable synergies and highlight the potential complementarities that can create added value for stakeholders involved in rural electrification planning. In particular, RE_RU_KE model output highlights the substantial role that renewable energy systems can play in decentralized generation providing universal energy access to rural households at a competitive cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy solutions in rural Africa: mapping electrification costs of distributed solar and diesel generation versus grid extension

Three rural electrification options are analysed showing the cost optimal conditions for a sustai... more Three rural electrification options are analysed showing the cost optimal conditions for a sustainable energy development applying renewable energy sources in Africa. A spatial electricity cost model has been designed to point out whether diesel generators, photovoltaic systems or extension of the grid are the least-cost option in off-grid areas. The resulting mapping application offers support to decide in which regions the communities could be electrified either within the grid or in an isolated mini-grid. Donor programs and National Rural Electrification Agencies (or equivalent governmental departments) could use this type of delineation for their program boundaries and then could use the local optimization tools adapted to the prevailing parameters.

Research paper thumbnail of Achieving universal electrification of rural healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa with decentralized renewable energy technologies

A potential response to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with long-term benefits... more A potential response to the COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with long-term benefits is to provide electricity for medical equipment in rural health centers and communities. This study identifies a large gap in the electrification of healthcare facilities in SSA, and it shows that decentralized photovoltaic systems can offer a clean, reliable, quick, and cost-effective solution. The cost of providing renewable electricity to each health facility by a stand-alone PV system is analyzed for a given location (incorporating operational costs). The upfront investment cost for providing electricity with PV to >50,000 facilities (mostly primary health posts) currently without electricity is estimated at EUR 484 million. Analysis of the accessibility and population distribution shows that 281 million people could reduce their travel time to healthcare facilities (by an average of 50 min) if all facilities were electrified.

Research paper thumbnail of Decentralized rural electrification in Kenya: Speeding up universal energy access

Energy for Sustainable Development, 2019

Abstract This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastruct... more Abstract This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Kenya. With the perspective of the current energy status and local resources, the study develops a rural electrification spatial model for Kenya (RE_RU_KE tool) to identify optimal strategies for the different locations. The model considers the potential of conventional approaches (diesel gensets), clean technologies (solar, wind, hydro mini-grids), hybrid systems and the option of central grid extension to electrify remote areas in Kenya at the lowest possible cost. The model output is contrasted to the national Rural Electrification Master Plan (REM) of Kenya. While both the REM and RE_RU_KE tool target the off-grid rural electrification options, their methodological approaches are intrinsically different. The comparison between both results aims to enable valuable synergies and highlight the potential complementarities that can create added value for stakeholders involved in rural electrification planning. In particular, RE_RU_KE model output highlights the substantial role that renewable energy systems can play in decentralized generation providing universal energy access to rural households at a competitive cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy solutions in rural Africa: mapping electrification costs of distributed solar and diesel generation versus grid extension

Environmental Research Letters, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of A Multidimensional High-Resolution Assessment Approach to Boost Decentralised Energy Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020

There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp c... more There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp contrast to the continent's vast untapped renewable energy potential and due largely to the historical lack of investments in energy infrastructure. New investments in decentralised power generation within Sub-Saharan Africa play a progressively important role in increasing energy access and addressing the continent's electricity supply shortages. Tracking the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries along various socio-political and economic axes can spur the mobilisation of private, public and international sectors in investing in decentralised energy technologies. An increasing amount of high-resolution global spatial data are available, and used for various assessments. However, key multidimensional indicators are mainly still provided only at the national level. To this end, we present a comprehensive and consistent analysis of the attractiveness for decentralised photovoltaic technologies at an unprecedented level of detail using both high-resolution spatial data and national reports. We develop and build a new composite indicator that considers the interplay between social, political, environmental and financial factors at a granular regional level for Sub-Saharan Africa and embeds within it the importance of the local production costs at high-spatial resolution.

Research paper thumbnail of Photovoltaics Driving Clean Energy Access for Social Infrastructure: Existing Business Models and Emerging Trends in Sub-Saharan Africa

Springer Nature, 2021

Access to modern energy is a social and economic priority to rural population and policymakers be... more Access to modern energy is a social and economic priority to rural population and policymakers because of its direct socio-economic and environmental benefits, as well as the indirect benefits of energy as an important input factor to growth and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The electrification of rural social infrastructure (i.e. healthcare facilities and educational centres) offers the option to accelerate the well-being of the rural population in terms of the nexus between “energy for all” (SDG7) and “healthcare for all” (SDG3). The COVID-19 pandemic is further unveiling the importance of energy access to deliver reliable healthcare and education services, and improve resilience of rural communities. By powering healthcare facilities, energy services become crucial to preventing diseases and fighting the pandemic. They also enable communication and IT services, such as distance learning, which keep people connected while maintaining social distancing. When focusing on the electrification of rural social infrastructure one of the main barriers is how to finance the up-front cost as many rural communities have little expendable capital and lack access to credit and, in many countries, depends on the central government budgets. On the other hand, entrepreneurs face challenges due to the small size and risky nature of the projects arising from their remoteness and limited demand. Therefore, business models for financing off-grid electrification, especially for schools and healthcare facilities, are just as important as technological innovations. This chapter reviews existing business models for renewable energy technology deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for social infrastructure, and analyses business models ongoing progress, future trends, and suggests new solutions for promoting sustainable energy options.

Research paper thumbnail of A new scheme for the promotion of renewable energies in developing countries: the renewable energy regulated purchase tariff

The main aim of this policy-support document is to attract policy-makers attention in renewable e... more The main aim of this policy-support document is to attract policy-makers attention in renewable energies deployment, offering to energy and development stakeholders an alternative subsidy-scheme to support electrification in a village-scale mini-grid based on the good performance of the renewable electricity generation. Market support mechanisms are required to stimulate the deployment of most renewable energy technologies becoming already competitive with existing energy technology options for off-grid areas. Historically the promotion of renewable energy technologies (RET) in isolated areas has involved international donors or government subsidising the initial capacity investment. Instead, in Europe the renewable electricity generation support scheme, the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), has been a successful mechanism to increase the deployment of renewables in the country's electricity grid. The basis of the FiT mechanism involve the obligation on the part of an electricity utility to...

Research paper thumbnail of A multidimensional high-resolution assessment approach to boost decentralised energy investments in Sub-Saharan Africa

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021

There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp c... more There are over 650 million people in Africa who have no access to electricity; this is in sharp contrast to the continent's vast untapped renewable energy potential and due largely to the historical lack of investments in energy infrastructure. New investments in decentralised power generation within Sub-Saharan Africa play a progressively important role in increasing energy access and addressing the continent's electricity supply shortages. Tracking the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries along various socio-political and economic axes can spur the mobilisation of private, public and international sectors in investing in decentralised energy technologies. An increasing amount of high-resolution global spatial data are available, and used for various assessments. However, key multidimensional indicators are mainly still provided only at the national level. To this end, we present a comprehensive and consistent analysis of the attractiveness for decentralised photovoltaic technologies at an unprecedented level of detail using both high-resolution spatial data and national reports. We develop and build a new composite indicator that considers the interplay between social, political, environmental and financial factors at a granular regional level for Sub-Saharan Africa and embeds within it the importance of the local production costs at high-spatial resolution.

Research paper thumbnail of Decentralized rural electrification in Kenya: Speeding up universal energy access

Energy for Sustainable Development, 2019

This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Ke... more This paper undertakes a comprehensive spatial mapping of the existing energy infrastructure in Kenya. With the perspective of the current energy status and local resources, the study develops a rural electrification spatial model for Kenya (RE_RU_KE tool) to identify optimal strategies for the different locations. The model considers the potential of conventional approaches (diesel gensets), clean technologies (solar, wind, hydro mini-grids), hybrid systems and the option of central grid extension to electrify remote areas in Kenya at the lowest possible cost. The model output is contrasted to the national Rural Electrification Master Plan (REM) of Kenya. While both the REM and RE_RU_KE tool target the off-grid rural electrification options, their methodological approaches are intrinsically different. The comparison between both results aims to enable valuable synergies and highlight the potential complementarities that can create added value for stakeholders involved in rural electrification planning. In particular, RE_RU_KE model output highlights the substantial role that renewable energy systems can play in decentralized generation providing universal energy access to rural households at a competitive cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Energy solutions in rural Africa: mapping electrification costs of distributed solar and diesel generation versus grid extension

Three rural electrification options are analysed showing the cost optimal conditions for a sustai... more Three rural electrification options are analysed showing the cost optimal conditions for a sustainable energy development applying renewable energy sources in Africa. A spatial electricity cost model has been designed to point out whether diesel generators, photovoltaic systems or extension of the grid are the least-cost option in off-grid areas. The resulting mapping application offers support to decide in which regions the communities could be electrified either within the grid or in an isolated mini-grid. Donor programs and National Rural Electrification Agencies (or equivalent governmental departments) could use this type of delineation for their program boundaries and then could use the local optimization tools adapted to the prevailing parameters.