Abstract
This short communication suggests the need to attend carefully to the social value of energy in designing projects to reduce energy poverty. We define the social value of energy in terms of the total value derived by an individual or community from the use of energy, including economic and other forms of value, less any risks or burdens that accompany energy production, transmission, and consumption. This simple definition enables two significant assessments. First, the social value of energy projects can be compared to their costs, to evaluate whether projects are worth investing in, even if they may appear uneconomic in narrower terms. This is especially significant in contexts such as off-grid or renewable energy projects that may have higher energy costs. Second, the socio-technical design of energy projects can be evaluated to determine whether the project will deliver the kinds of energy services, via appropriate strategies, that enhance social value.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 67-69 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Energy Research and Social Science |
| Volume | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2015 |
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Keywords
- Africa
- Design
- Energy poverty
- Energy services
- Renewable energy
- Social value
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Fuel Technology
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Cite this
The social value of mid-scale energy in Africa : Redefining value and redesigning energy to reduce poverty. / Miller, Clark; Altamirano-Allende, Carlo; Johnson, Nathan; Agyemang, Malena.
In: Energy Research and Social Science, Vol. 5, 2015, p. 67-69.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The social value of mid-scale energy in Africa
T2 - Redefining value and redesigning energy to reduce poverty
AU - Miller, Clark
AU - Altamirano-Allende, Carlo
AU - Johnson, Nathan
AU - Agyemang, Malena
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - This short communication suggests the need to attend carefully to the social value of energy in designing projects to reduce energy poverty. We define the social value of energy in terms of the total value derived by an individual or community from the use of energy, including economic and other forms of value, less any risks or burdens that accompany energy production, transmission, and consumption. This simple definition enables two significant assessments. First, the social value of energy projects can be compared to their costs, to evaluate whether projects are worth investing in, even if they may appear uneconomic in narrower terms. This is especially significant in contexts such as off-grid or renewable energy projects that may have higher energy costs. Second, the socio-technical design of energy projects can be evaluated to determine whether the project will deliver the kinds of energy services, via appropriate strategies, that enhance social value.
AB - This short communication suggests the need to attend carefully to the social value of energy in designing projects to reduce energy poverty. We define the social value of energy in terms of the total value derived by an individual or community from the use of energy, including economic and other forms of value, less any risks or burdens that accompany energy production, transmission, and consumption. This simple definition enables two significant assessments. First, the social value of energy projects can be compared to their costs, to evaluate whether projects are worth investing in, even if they may appear uneconomic in narrower terms. This is especially significant in contexts such as off-grid or renewable energy projects that may have higher energy costs. Second, the socio-technical design of energy projects can be evaluated to determine whether the project will deliver the kinds of energy services, via appropriate strategies, that enhance social value.
KW - Africa
KW - Design
KW - Energy poverty
KW - Energy services
KW - Renewable energy
KW - Social value
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85027935202&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.erss.2014.12.013
DO - 10.1016/j.erss.2014.12.013
M3 - Article
VL - 5
SP - 67
EP - 69
JO - Energy Research and Social Science
JF - Energy Research and Social Science
SN - 2214-6296
ER -