The Experts below are selected from a list of 16791 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Mario Neukirch - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Protests against German electricity Grid Extension as a new social movement? A journey into the areas of conflict
Energy Sustainability and Society, 2016Co-Authors: Mario NeukirchAbstract:Background Among the major players in German energy politics, a broad consensus exists that one important condition for the transition to renewable energies is to expand the electricity transmission Grid. More than 7000 km of new or extended power routes are planned, generally as overhead lines. Mainly because of local protests, many projects, however, lag behind their original timetable. The protest initiatives are often supported by concerned municipalities and districts, environmental organizations, and scientists. This paper examines the most conflicted projects and inquires whether the protests are part of a social movement. Methods The study aims for a better understanding of these protests. It therefore explores the opponents’ action orientations and the relevant action fields. The main method is a comparative qualitative case study that is based on a document analysis. The latter was supported by quantitative considerations. Results Whereas homogeneity in local and regional contexts predominates, across the regions, the protests often strongly diverge in respect to their dominant frames and action orientations. This occurs in a diverse structure of action fields. If the protests are strong and fundamentally oriented, the conflicts take place mainly in state field and discursive arenas. Conclusions Although the Grid Extension protests share characteristics with the activities against war, discrimination, and nuclear power use, they are not a social movement in the narrow sense. Rather, they are a collection of single-point protests that occasionally transcend their own boundaries to take on a more coherent and unified character.
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Protests against German electricity Grid Extension as a new social movement? A journey into the areas of conflict
Energy Sustainability and Society, 2016Co-Authors: Mario NeukirchAbstract:Among the major players in German energy politics, a broad consensus exists that one important condition for the transition to renewable energies is to expand the electricity transmission Grid. More than 7000 km of new or extended power routes are planned, generally as overhead lines. Mainly because of local protests, many projects, however, lag behind their original timetable. The protest initiatives are often supported by concerned municipalities and districts, environmental organizations, and scientists. This paper examines the most conflicted projects and inquires whether the protests are part of a social movement. The study aims for a better understanding of these protests. It therefore explores the opponents’ action orientations and the relevant action fields. The main method is a comparative qualitative case study that is based on a document analysis. The latter was supported by quantitative considerations. Whereas homogeneity in local and regional contexts predominates, across the regions, the protests often strongly diverge in respect to their dominant frames and action orientations. This occurs in a diverse structure of action fields. If the protests are strong and fundamentally oriented, the conflicts take place mainly in state field and discursive arenas. Although the Grid Extension protests share characteristics with the activities against war, discrimination, and nuclear power use, they are not a social movement in the narrow sense. Rather, they are a collection of single-point protests that occasionally transcend their own boundaries to take on a more coherent and unified character.
H J Vermaak - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hydrokinetic power generation for rural electricity supply case of south africa
Renewable Energy, 2013Co-Authors: K Kusakana, H J VermaakAbstract:Abstract This study investigates the possibility of using and developing hydrokinetic power to supply reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to rural, remote and isolated loads in rural South Africa where reasonable water resource is available. Simulations are performed using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) and the results are compared to those from other supply options such as standalone Photovoltaic system (PV), wind, diesel generator (DG) and Grid Extension. Finally the paper points out some major challenges that are facing the development of this technology in South Africa.
Björn A. Andersson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Distributed power generation versus Grid Extension: An assessment of solar photovoltaics for rural electrification in Northern Ghana
Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 2002Co-Authors: Jonas Nassen, Josefine Evertsson, Björn A. AnderssonAbstract:The competitiveness of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation for rural electrification in northern Ghana is assessed and compared with the conventional option of extending the national Grid and increasing the capacity for centralised power generation. A model is constructed to calculate the life-cycle cost (LCC) of the two options and to test the sensitivity of different parameters. All calculations are based on information from the GEF/UNDP pilot region in the East Mamprusi District. In addition to the economic aspect, issues of quality and environmental effects are discussed. The LCC of distributed PV is lower than that of a Grid Extension for an electricity demand corresponding to solar home systems of 140 Wp or smaller. Thus, distributed PV is cost competitive for purposes of lighting, entertainment, information and basic public facilities, such as schools and hospitals. The LCC for the option of Grid Extension with central power generation is dominated by the cost of low-voltage micro-Grids within the communities. Important factors are the density of households and the penetration (fraction of households electrified), as they affect the line length per connected household. The relatively low cost of regional medium-voltage Grids makes the geographical location of each community less important than expected. Battery replacement every fifth year makes up the major part of the LCC of solar home systems and is also responsible for the large energy input in the production of the systems. This could limit both future cost reductions of distributed PV and its potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magda Monergirona - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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energy solutions in rural africa mapping electrification costs of distributed solar and diesel generation versus Grid Extension
Environmental Research Letters, 2011Co-Authors: Magda MonergironaAbstract: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.
K Kusakana - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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hydrokinetic power generation for rural electricity supply case of south africa
Renewable Energy, 2013Co-Authors: K Kusakana, H J VermaakAbstract:Abstract This study investigates the possibility of using and developing hydrokinetic power to supply reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to rural, remote and isolated loads in rural South Africa where reasonable water resource is available. Simulations are performed using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) and the results are compared to those from other supply options such as standalone Photovoltaic system (PV), wind, diesel generator (DG) and Grid Extension. Finally the paper points out some major challenges that are facing the development of this technology in South Africa.
