Technology transfer for renewable energy : overcoming barriers in developing countries

Contents List of figures, tables and boxes ..................................................................viii List of abbreviations ....................................................................................... x Foreword by José Goldemberg .................................................................... xvi Acknowledgments ...................................................................................... xviii Introduction ............................................................................................... 1 1 A role for renewables ............................................................................. 5 1.1 Improving energy security .............................................................. 5 1.1.1 Trends in world energy use ................................................. 5 1.1.2 Current deployment of renewable energy and future prospects .................................................................. 10 1.1.3 The need for indigenous local energy sources ................... 13 1.1.4 A niche for renewable energy ............................................ 15 1.2 Powering sustainable development ................................................ 17 1.2.1 Energy services .................................................................. 17 1.2.2 Energy and development .................................................... 22 1.2.3 Achieving international development targets ..................... 24 1.3 Reducing environmental impacts ................................................... 31 1.3.1 Local impacts ..................................................................... 31 1.3.2 Global impacts ................................................................... 32 2 Transferring technology to developing countries: key actors and roles .............................................................................. 42 2.1 Developments in technology transfer ............................................ 42 2.1.1 Defining technology transfer ............................................. 43 2.1.2 Technology transfer in the context of sustainable development and climate change ....................................... 47 2.2 Key actors and roles ....................................................................... 56 2.2.1 Key actors........................................................................... 56 2.2.2 The role of governments .................................................... 62 2.2.3 The role of international finance institutions ..................... 63 2.2.4 The role of private sector organizations ............................ 64 2.2.5 The role of civil society ..................................................... 64 2.3 Risks and rewards .......................................................................... 64 vi Contents 2.3.1 Risks ................................................................................... 65 2.3.2 Rewards .............................................................................. 69 3 Investment in technology transfer ....................................................... 73 3.1 Key investors for renewable energy ............................................... 73 3.1.1 International institutions .................................................... 73 3.1.2 National institutions ........................................................... 86 3.1.3 Private companies .............................................................. 88 3.1.4 Non-governmental organizations ....................................... 88 3.2 Investment trends ........................................................................... 90 3.3 Finance mechanisms .................................................................... 102 3.3.1 Innovative finance mechanisms ....................................... 102 3.3.2 Potential investment via the CDM ................................... 110 4 Barriers and options ........................................................................... 120 4.1 Barriers ......................................................................................... 120 4.1.1 Introduction ...................................................................... 120 4.1.2 National policies and programmes ................................... 123 4.1.3 Institutional structures ...................................................... 125 4.1.4 Intellectual property and standards .................................. 126 4.1.5 Information exchange, education and training ................ 129 4.1.6 Financing .......................................................................... 131 4.1.7 Social ................................................................................ 134 4.1.8 Others ............................................................................... 135 4.2 Case studies .................................................................................. 138 4.2.1 Summary of barriers to solar home systems .................... 139 4.2.2 Summary of barriers to biomass cogeneration ................ 142 4.3 Options ......................................................................................... 144 4.3.1 Encouraging technology transfer ..................................... 144 4.3.2 Overcoming the barriers in developing countries ............ 148 5 The way forward ................................................................................. 162 5.1 Actions needed ............................................................................. 162 5.1.1 Actions needed for solar home systems ........................... 162 5.1.2 Actions needed for biomass cogeneration ........................ 164 5.1.3 Common actions needed .................................................. 165 5.2 Engagement of key actors ............................................................ 165 5.2.1 Key actions for government ............................................. 171 5.2.2 Key actions for international finance institutions ............ 173 vii 5.2.3 Key actions for private companies ................................... 173 5.2.4 Key actions for civil society............................................. 174 5.3 Conclusion ................................................................................... 174 Annex 1: Case studies ............................................................................. 177 Annex 2: Analysis of case studies: options for overcoming barriers ............................................................... 216 References ................................................................................................. 234