• Energy Research

The inaccessibility to clean and affordable energy, as well as large gender inequalities are two of the greatest challenges faced by rural areas of the Global South. However, the gender approach is still very lacking in energy access literature. This work aims to bridge this gap, by answering two questions: “How do gender inequalities limit women's access to energy benefits, and how can this be counteracted to ensure equal benefit from energy access for both genders?” and “To what extent do energy access initiatives reduce or increase the gender gap and how can these initiatives be improved to correct gender inequalities?”. To respond to these questions, field research has been carried out in 19 remote traditional communities in the semi-arid region of Bahia (Brazil), where a last-mile rural electrification program was launched a decade ago. The collection of mixed empirical evidence permitted a multi-criteria analysis of the impact of energy at the residential, community and productive levels. The results highlighted that, to benefit both genders equally, there is a need for higher energy capacities, capable of running household electrical appliances and electrifying community services where women play a fundamental role. In addition, the incorporation of energy affordability mechanisms for women and the continuous local provision of gender-sensitive services are transformative vectors in reversing gender inequalities through energy access initiatives. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (research project RTI4, 1018-097962-B-I00), and cofounded by the Centre of Cooperation for Development (CCD) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC-BarcelonaTech) (pre-doctoral scholarship 2019). Peer Reviewed Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::5 - Igualtat de Gènere Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant::7.1 - Per a 2030, garantir l’accés universal a serveis d’energia assequibles, confiables i moderns

The urgent need to curb climate change calls for an energy transition to cleaner, more resilient and sustainable solutions. Combined designs of energy storage systems and demand management strategies are becoming more frequent in the literature. However, are these solutions really sustainable from a multi-dimensional approach and in real-world applications? To answer this question, this work performs a local and scaled-up field-based evaluation of the social and environmental impacts of a pilot project in Brazil, which consists of replacing diesel generators with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in a peak power plant of a Medium Voltage (MV) commercial load. For this, the combined RCPA-LCI method is applied, which allows characterizing both energy alternatives jointly considering the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and the multi-dimensional evaluation perspective of the Resource Complete Potential Assessment (RCPA). Then, the scalability of this commercial solution at the national level is analyzed through two main lenses: GHG emissions reduction and job generation. The benefits are estimated at a potential 15.4 million tons of CO2 avoided and 113 new job opportunities per year. The results demonstrate the positive socio-environmental performance of BESS-based peak plants for MV commercial applications in Brazil.

Over the past two decades, one-sixth of the world’s rural population has gained access to energy. However, intensified efforts are needed to meet the goal of universal coverage. Photovoltaic solar systems (PVS) have emerged as significant solutions for addressing last-mile electrification challenges. Nevertheless, the sustainability of PVS-based initiatives has raised concerns, and existing research lacks a long-term, practical and comprehensive program-scale assessment, along with experience-driven approaches to overcome them. This study aims to identify key design strategies to ensure the sustainable operation and impact of off-grid solar electrification programs. This work evaluates the sustainability of the world-wide referral “Luz para Todos” program in Brazil, conducting field assessments in thirty-five rural communities, electrified between 2005 and 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Bahia. Interviews were held with beneficiaries, community leaders, rural electrification agents and key public sector actors. The quality of electricity access and the level of population’s empowerment through electrification are assessed using three operation and impact criteria and two sets of ad-hoc indicators. Results highlight the importance of considering the dynamic character of energy demand and addressing additional remoteness difficulties (such as displacements and communication) to guarantee long-lasting quality PVS. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the disruptive potential of mobile internet and the productive impact of access to water and food refrigeration in strengthening rural empowerment. This analysis serves as a guide for PVS initiative promoters to synergistically address both operational durability and long-term local development challenges. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (research project RTI2018-097962-B-I00), and cofounded by the Centre of Cooperation for Development (CCD) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC-BarcelonaTech) (pre-doctoral scholarship 2019). Peer Reviewed

Despite ongoing efforts, resource depletion and climate change continue to aggravate inequality. How can energy initiatives contribute to a more sustainable and equal society? This work aims to identify the challenges and opportunities facing neglected Brazilian communities in achieving fair energy transitions. Indigenous and traditional communities are field-assessed through site visits and stakeholder interviews. Appropriate energy generation options and consumption reduction strategies are identified. These alternatives are qualitatively evaluated using the Resource Complete Potential Assessment, a multi-criteria decision method encompassing techno-economic, environmental, social and political perspectives. Results highlight the importance of reliable, safe and clean energy in preserving fragile ecosystems and fortifying cultural identity and territorial resistance. While informal grid connections lack security and motivation for energy reduction, solar home systems offer empowerment opportunities and stimulate responsible consumption. However, it is necessary to strengthen regulatory and financial policies and establish an institutional commitment that guarantees adequate technical and training support. Acknowledgments to the Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz (CPFL) to support this research through the R&D strategic project: ANEEL PD 00063- 3025/2016 “Sistemas de Armazenamento Integrados a mais de uma fonte energética: Gestao ˜Hibrida de sistemas energéticos multifontes”, enabling the accomplishment of this work. This research was also funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (research project RTI2018-097962-B-I00), and cofounded by the Centre of Cooperation for Development of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. This work wouldn’t be possible without the significant support of Dr. Jose Aquiles Baesso Grimoni and the valuable contributions and aid during site visits of Dr. Luiz Cláudio Ribeiro Galvão, Dr. Tina Bimestre Selles Ribeiro and the activists and artist Dinas Miguel. The authors acknowledge the TekoaItakupe Aldeia and the Nova Enseada da Baleia community for kindly sharing their story, struggles, culture and traditions. The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback and insightful suggestions. Peer Reviewed Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::1 - Fi de la Pobresa Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::10 - Reducció de les Desigualtats

A energia é uma das ferramentas atuais de desenvolvimento humano. A limitação no seu acesso cria situações de marginação social e restringe a satisfação das necessidades humanas mais básicas. O presente projeto visa à democratização do uso da energia de forma sustentável em equilíbrio tanto no meio ambiental como social. Presenta-se a exploração de uma metodologia de Planejamento Integrado de Recursos, no contexto de comunidades tradicionais eletricamente isoladas, e sob umas condições politicas específicas que limitam o desenvolvimento de projetos, que é o status de Parque Estadual. São planteados vários cenários visando ao menor custo completo possível, considerando tanto a viabilidade técnico-econômica, como a aceitação e apropriação social, de acordo com o respeito da natureza. Outgoing

Many countries are still facing a common hurdle: last-mile rural electrification. Great skill is required to face this challenge, which generally involves the most isolated, inaccessible and complex regions. Many Latin American countries have already undertaken universal access to energy schemes and have built an experience base that, if shared, can add a wealth of knowledge to facilitate the implementation of future initiatives. In this regard, this work evaluates the sustainability of the main electrification initiatives developed in Brazil and Venezuela, by performing an ex-post comparative multicriteria evaluation on 18 quantitative and qualitative social, institutional, economic, technical and managerial indicators. Eight discussion threads are drawn from the programs’ design and implementation strategies and outcomes. The main insights are: the suitability of renewable-based distributed energy resources for covering last-mile rural electrification; the effectiveness of a private context for the development of the technological market and the creation of policy instruments; and the effectiveness of a public context to implement a greater diversity of technological solutions focused on improving social well-being. The lessons learned aim to guide rural electrification promoters and decision makers in developing more sustainable and successful last-mile electrification initiatives. Peer Reviewed Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant