AN INTRODUCTION

1. AN INTRODUCTION www.localenergy.info Sydney office: Unit 7242 Rainbow StCoogee, NSW 2034AustraliaM: 61.402 298 569 T: 61.2.9664 2252 London office:2 Chignell PlaceWest EalingLondon W13 0TJT: 44.20.8840 3222F: 44.20.8579.7439

2. The Local Energy Launch Pad (LELP) aims to bridge the gap between the information and expertise that is currently available on local sustainable energy solutions, and the people who are actually making things happen on the ground The need: • The experience base and learnings from local sustainable energy projects needs to be shared with other local implementers of sustainable development • But local implementers do not commonly have access to modern information infrastructure and generally do not have background to sift through that information for what they really need What the Local Energy Launch Pad will provide: • An interactive tool which connects local implementers with the “right” information, compiled and presented based on their situation, objectives, and local characteristics • Structured and thorough needs assessment to help people decide what is best for them and their local situation • Guidelines for planning of integrated energy systems, assessing the impact on the community, and tips on how to manage and implement the project • Relevant case examples, information on successful models and descriptions of the key issues to consider • Partnerships with the People’s Choice Integrated Rural Energy System project, the Integrated Renewable Energy Models initiative, and the Global Village Energy Partnership

3. The issue is not simply providing access to sustainable energy information, it is tailoring that information and advice to the specific local context, including the resources and abilities of the local implementers • Needs Assessment • Collected by regional experts and trained local specialists • Or done online if possible • Structured questionnaire • What is the situation now? • What are our objectives? Community heads, local authority coordinators, local NGO activists, concerned citizensworking with experienced implementers and trained local specialists to help the people decide what they need and how the community can make it happen Knowledge base Experience base Links to experts and implementers Links to finance & materials suppliers Expert system linking pieces of information based on defined rules and associations Web interface with dedicated staff to gather the right information, tap implementation expertise from around the world and check output The key is tailoring the information so that it is relevant, understandable and useful to the people who are actually implementing sustainable energy systems at the local “grass-roots” level • Delivery of Implementation • Tools, Information & Advice • Delivered by trained local specialists • Tailored to the capabilities and resources available • Enabling information to make it happen • Guidelines for planning, assessment and project implementation • Relevant case examples • Key issues to consider and how they have been addressed by others Information and advice from the sustainable energy global community, sourced from data clearing houses, capacity building programs, and local experts,tailored to the specific local context as defined in the needs assessment, anddelivered in a format that can be understood and used by the local implementer

4. … Kerosene … Firewood … … … Per week … … Pottery … Livestock Agriculture Crop waste A thorough Needs Assessment provides a number of indicators of the current situation and the specific local context… Current energy resources used Resources available Primary Secondary Sun River water Wind Forest wood Other biomass Etc… Coal Electric grid Gas pipeline Diesel/petrol Paraffin/kerosene Etc… Lighting: Cooking: Heating: Transport: Etc… Community characteristics Current income generating activities: Primary Secondary Income available for energy spend: $ __ , __ Is gender a factor in energy supply and usage? Organisations currently providing aid: Yes No Current housing situation: Local political stability Mud hut Brick Etc… High Meduim Low

5. … … Withstanding drought Reduce indoor pollution Increase agricultural output Light for homework after dark … Distance to forest wood … and identifying the objectives of the local implementer together provide an initial set of criteria for selecting relevant implementation models, lessons from other sustainable energy projects and links to experts that can help Main objectives Project timing and scale 1. 2. 3. 4. Time scale available Months Years Scale of project and reach Individual Household / Small business Secondary criteria Community 1. 2. 3. 4. Population 300 Geographicarea

6. The proposed approach (initial steps to implementation) Phase 1 : Initial Research • What is out there already in energy and other sectors? Phase 2 : Build Consensus on the Vision • Identify stakeholders and potential partners • Engage them with the vision Phase 3 : Refine Action Plan and Build Partnerships • Develop detailed proposal and action plan for implementation • Secure resource commitments Phase 4 : Implement and Develop • Build project infrastructure • Implement initial version with feedback mechanisms • Incrementally develop the program

7. Action plan for Phase 1 : Initial Research Action : Research on what exists already By who : Randeep Bindra (UK) & Rob Fowler (Australia) When : September – October 2002 Resources : • Internet access • Communications • Man days for research and project development • Co-operation from other programs and organisations Partners : • Stakeholder Forum • US Department of Energy • Eskom Renewables, South Africa • Global Village Energy Partnership?