[Stoves] ESD Special Issue Notes

Sat Aug 17 17:08:57 CDT 2013


> Hi all
> 
>   This one on #9
> 
>   First though,  I previously inadvetertently copied an address for REDD as EDD.  A lot of good free material on charcoal at a 2011 meeting, found at http://redd.ciga.unam.mx/index.php/events/8-difusion/11-presentaciones2
> 
>   Also,  ESD is Energy for Sustainable Development.  See http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09730826/17/2
>   
> 9...Can there be energy policy in Sub-Saharan Africa without biomass?
> Matthew Owena, , , Robert van der Plasb, , Steve Seppc, 
> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0973082612000749
> Abstract
> While much of the industrialised world is embracing biomass energy as a pillar of low-carbon growth, a review of national energy policies in sub-Saharan Africa reveals that biomass is widely viewed as a retrogressive source of energy that degrades the environment and engenders poverty. Initiatives to formulate alternative energy policies based on recognition, formalisation and modernisation of the sector are not appreciated by decision-makers in government, whose vision of economic growth and poverty reduction is usually based on fossil fuels and electricity. The authors argue that as long as the significant contribution and future potential of biomass energy to generate employment, support urban–rural revenue flow, strengthen domestic energy security and drive green economic development remain unrecognised, African governments will continue to endorse ‘anything-but-biomass’ policies. In this context, the development of new sector strategies that give biomass a higher profile faces a significant political challenge and may ultimately prove futile.
> 
> To bring about change it is argued that first, a new image of biomass energy must be articulated, which offers a compelling and achievable vision of modernisation in production, processing, distribution and consumption. This requires an integrated set of measures to communicate the message of change, promote enabling framework conditions, expand sustainable biomass supplies, strengthen regional economies and value-addition, and capitalise on recent technological advancement. Second, valorisation of forest resources is essential to stimulate sustainable production, conversion and consumption, and can be achieved through interventions in governance, taxation, regulation and technology. Third, the modernisation process should capitalise on momentous technological advances in stoves, kilns, processing systems and means of salvaging waste energy for productive use. Fourth, replication and scale-up of the modernisation movement can be leveraged using new and innovative funding sources.
> 
> 
> [RWL added:  I enjoyed this one.  I have lost the original (still learning Apple languages)I    believe there was a brief mention of char going to soil  I don't think charcoal-making stoves - but this set of authors probably would be supportive
> .  There are some good lessons her for promoting both - and emphasizing that those interested in both topics face an uphill battle in SSA  (Sub-Sahara Africa).  We need to fight for biomass as much as char.  
 But I think we have most all of what SSA governments are looking for with a different view of char.

    See also:  http://redd.ciga.unam.mx/images/charcoal/presentations/9_Owen_poverty_vs_development.pdf


Ron

> 


> On Aug 16, 2013, at 8:50 PM, Ronal W. Larson <rongretlarson at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Hi all - adding "biochar-policy" for this one - as "policy" is in this paper's title.    {Policy:  I am keeping enough below (this time only, so you have ALL the background in this post)
>> 
>> 1,   The topic of this note is #2  (authors and title are:
>>>> Dispelling common misconceptions to improve attitudes and policy outlook on charcoal in developing countries Review Article
>>>> Pages 75-85
>>>> Tuyeni H. Mwampamba, Adrián Ghilardi, Klas Sander, Kim Jean Chaix
>>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 2.    A few emphases I have added to the abstract:.
>> The production, use and trade of charcoal for domestic cooking and heating are characterized by contradictions, stereotyping, and misconceptions. Partial information, over-generalizations, and the tendency to consolidate char- coal with other biomass fuels have contributed to gross misrepresentation of charcoal in terms of its actual impact on forests, its role in improving energy access, and in appropriate interventions. An underlying and often amplify- ing challenge that results from this situation is the lack of reliable, consistent, and comparable data on the charcoal sector which would form a necessary baseline for robust decision making. Further, clarifying misconceptions and debunking of myths is paramount for demonstrating the contribution that charcoal could have in addressing energy access and economic challenges in developing countries. We present five commonly held myths about charcoal that are perpetuated by different stakeholders and actors in the sector. Namely, that: 1) Charcoal is an en- ergy source for the poor; 2) charcoal use is decreasing; 3) charcoal causes deforestation; 4) the charcoal sector is economically irrelevant, and; 5) improved charcoal cook stoves reduce deforestation and GHG emissions. Using a review of the literature and our own experience with charcoal research and practice, we propose reasons for the existence of these myths, why they are highly disputable, and the consequences that the myths have had on policy and intervention responses to charcoal. Widespread beliefs of these myths have and continue to misguide policy response and intervention approaches relating to charcoal. We propose some policy and research recommenda- tions to curb further perpetuation of misconceptions that have been particularly harmful for charcoal. 
>> 
>> 
>> 3.    I was disappointed here.  No mention of either char-making stoves or biochar.  Not one citation for either     Not exactly a promotion of using char for cooking, but not far from that.   Basic theme was that cooking with char is here to stay.   I don't know how to rebut anything here, since topics of interest to me aren't even raised  climate, soils, etc/  as well as making char in stoves for use as biochar.
>> 
>> Ron 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Aug 16, 2013, at 5:50 PM, "Ronal W. Larson" <rongretlarson at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> Lists:   
>>> 
>>>   1.   This is  a new  thread name continuing my last.   My last one should have had this thread name also.  This below is only on the first ("What role….") paper shown below..   I think the short answer to the question in the title is "big". 
>>> 
>>>   2.    I am impressed by the vast amount of new (to me) information on charcoal - a good bit of it being important to both the stoves and biochar lists.
>>> 
>>>  3.  This paper notes that they are following up on a 2011 conference on charcoal - found at 
>>>      edd.ciga.unam.mx
>>> Many good  (free)  papers there - all or mostly on this charcoal topic, by many of the later authors.   There is one good free 2012 book chapter by Bailis for instance (with lots of freebie cites)
>>> 
>>> 4.  Most of this first paper is introduction to the other thirteen.  But the first few paragraphs give some good cites, which are:   
>>> 
>>> Arnold JEM, Kohlin G, Persson R. Woodfuels, livelihoods, and policy interventions: changing perspectives. World Dev 2006;34:596–611.
>>> 
>>> Bonino EE. Changes in carbon pools associated with a land-use gradient in the Dry Chaco, Argentina. For Ecol Manag 2006;223:183–9.
>>> 
>>> Emrich W. Handbook of charcoal making: the traditional and industrial methods. Solar energy R&D in the European community, Series E: Volume 7: Energy from Biomass; 1985. p. 278.
>>> 
>>> Estevez RA, Squeo FA, Arancio G, Erazo MB. Production of charcoal from native shrubs in the Atacama Region, Chile. Gayana Bot 2010;67:213–22.
>>> 
>>> FAOStat. ForestStat — forestry statistics. Rome: FAO; 2012 (http://faostat.fao.org/). 
>>> 
>>> Fisher B, Lewis SL, Burgess ND, Malimbwi RE, Munishi PK, Swetnam RD, et al. Imple- mentation and opportunity costs of reducing deforestation and forest degradation in Tanzania. Nat Clim Change 2011;1:161–4.
>>> 
>>> IEA. World energy statistics and balances (database). International Energy Agency; 2012 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/data-00510-en (Accessed on 09 October 2012). 
>>> 
>>> Jayakumar S, Ramachandran A, Bhaskaran G, Heo J. Forest dynamics in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Manag 2009;43:326–45.
>>> 
>>> Larpkern P, Totland Ø, Moe SR. Do disturbance and productivity influence evenness of seedling, sapling and adult tree species across a semi-deciduous tropical forest landscape? Oikos 2011;120:623–9.
>>> 
>>> Maes WH, Verbist B. Increasing the sustainability of household cooking in developing countries: policy implications. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2012;16:4204–21. 
>>> 
>>> Masera O, Arias T, Ghilardi A, Guerrero G, Patiño P. Estudio sobre la evolución nacional del consumo de leña y carbón vegetal en México 1990–2024. Reporte para la Secretaría de Energía de México; 2010.
>>> 
>>> Ribot JC. Forestry policy and charcoal production in Senegal. Energy Policy 1993;21:559–85. 
>>> 
>>> Zulu LC. The forbidden fuel: charcoal, urban woodfuel demand and supply dynamics,community forest management and woodfuel policy in Malawi. Energy Policy 2010;38:3717–30. 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Ron
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Aug 16, 2013, at 3:56 PM, "Ronal W. Larson" <rongretlarson at comcast.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Rogerio and (now 2) lists      [The 14 papers certainly don't all apply to biochar - but in total they apply more to the biochar list than the stove list)
>>>> 
>>>> 1.   Thanks for the cite you gave below  (with a free version of a nice paper).  I enjoyed this (#12 below) and your article with Rob Bailis (#14).   A few questions:  A year or more has passed since you wrote this.  Any cogeneration started yet in Brazil?  (for others,  Rogerio lives where charcoal-making is big business - the largest in the world).  Any recommendations on stove or biochar ideas in the other dozen papers?  For instance can you conceive that there may be more cooking with electricity as users trade in (barter) biomass for electrons?  (and maybe getting some char back also)    You are thinking more of the char going to steel mills, but could there be competition for using the char (as biochar) in soils (given future carbon credits?)
>>>> 
>>>> 2.  I remember hearing about this special issue on charcoal, but this was my first chance to see the wide range (below). A lot of good material here.  Unfortunately all priced at $31.50 per paper.  If any other authors are reading this, I hope they can do as did Rogerio and supply an early author's draft.   Obviously, both lists would benefit from anything more that can be said about any of the papers. My impression is that biochar  and char-making stoves were not  major considerations for most papers, but most can have some bearing on both these lists
>>>> 
>>>>   Rogerio - how about giving a short summary of Paper #14  (Bailis - or a reprint).  And anything else that might assist the stoves and biochar lists.
>>>> 
>>>> 1		 
>>>> What role will charcoal play in the coming decades? Insights from up-to-date findings and reviews
>>>> Pages 73-74
>>>> Adrián Ghilardi, Tuyeni Mwampamba, Gautam Dutt	
>>>> 2		 
>>>> Dispelling common misconceptions to improve attitudes and policy outlook on charcoal in developing countries Review Article
>>>> Pages 75-85
>>>> Tuyeni H. Mwampamba, Adrián Ghilardi, Klas Sander, Kim Jean Chaix
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ► Charcoal data are distorted because they are lumped with those of other wood fuels. ► Misconceptions perpetuate five myths that harm perceptions about charcoal. ► Myths can misguide interventions and policy response to the charcoal sector. ► Myths narrow scope of charcoal discussions to an environmental niche. ► Debunking myths is necessary to appreciate true potential of charcoal.
>>>> 3		 
>>>> The environmental impacts of charcoal production in tropical ecosystems of the world: A synthesisReview Article
>>>> Pages 86-94
>>>> Emmanuel N. Chidumayo, Davison J. Gumbo	
>>>> ► The contribution of charcoal to deforestation in the tropics is less than 7%. ► Charcoal production most frequently results in forest degradation. ► Most charcoal areas have the potential for rapid forest recovery. ► Enhancing charcoal policies' legitimacy and effective implementation is needed. ► Charcoal can contribute to poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
>>>> 4		 
>>>> Formalisation of charcoal value chains and livelihood outcomes in Central- and West AfricaOriginal Research Article
>>>> Pages 95-105
>>>> Jolien Schure, Verina Ingram, Maam Suwadu Sakho-Jimbira, Patrice Levang, K. Freerk Wiersum	
>>>> ► Informal rules dominate charcoal chains in Central- and West Africa. ► ‘Informal’ means access to many, overexploitation and little tax revenues. ► West Africa has more cross-sectorial formal mechanisms. ► Formal charcoal institutions risk reinforcing unequal distribution of benefits. ► Successes build upon decentralised management, tax incentives and reinvestments.
>>>> 5		 
>>>> Forest management and economic rents: Evidence from the charcoal trade in MadagascarOriginal Research Article
>>>> Pages 106-115
>>>> Bart Minten, Klas Sander, David Stifel
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ► Margins are higher in regulated charcoal compared to unregulated agricultural trade. ► Charcoal traders with more government connections have greater access to rents. ► Efforts to reform policies through licensing must take rents into account.
>>>> 6		 
>>>> Enabling reforms: Analyzing the political economy of the charcoal sector in Tanzania Original Research Article
>>>> Pages 116-126
>>>> Klas Sander, Clemens Gros, Christian Peter	
>>>> ► Transformation of anecdotal evidence into documented facts and figures. ► Using established methodology for charcoal sector analysis. ► Verification that real political power lies with powerful groups outside government.
>>>> 7		 
>>>> Charcoal, livelihoods, and poverty reduction: Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa Review Article
>>>> Pages 127-137
>>>> Leo C. Zulu, Robert B. Richardson	
>>>> ► We review charcoal impacts on poverty reduction in Africa on four dimensions. ► Charcoal is vital sector for energy, economy, poverty reduction; but is neglected. ► Benefits: vital rural-cash safety nets; urban income, affordable, reliable energy. ► Charcoal has negative environmental, health, social, livelihood, and power impacts. ► Needed: pluralistic policy, regulated sustained use, pro-poor, incentives, advocacy.
>>>> 8		 
>>>> Changing land management: A case study of charcoal production among a group of pastoral women in northern Tanzania Original Research Article
>>>> Pages 138-145
>>>> Ramona J. Butz	
>>>> ► Dependence on fuelwood for energy is placing pressure on forest resources. ► Charcoal serves as a cash crop for a growing number of women. ► Producers made up 4–6% of the village population in 2005. ► Production is unsustainable over the long term and may lead to forest degradation.
>>>> 9		 
>>>> Can there be energy policy in Sub-Saharan Africa without biomass? Review Article
>>>> Pages 146-152
>>>> Matthew Owen, Robert van der Plas, Steve Sepp	
>>>> ► Most energy policies in sub-Saharan Africa prioritise petroleum and electricity. ► Benefits and opportunities offered by solid biomass energy are being missed. ► Efforts to design more biomass-friendly policies encounter government resistance. ► Measures to formalise and modernise the sector could help improve energy policy.
>>>> 10		 
>>>> The influence of initial fuel load on Fuel to Cook for batch loaded charcoal cookstovesOriginal Research Article
>>>> Pages 153-157
>>>> Samuel Bentson, Dean Still, Ryan Thompson, Kelley Grabow	
>>>> ► Fourteen charcoal cook stoves were tested in the laboratory using a modified WBT4.1.2. ► Fuel to Cook was found to be dependent on the initial fuel load. ► All stoves were found to have similar Fuel to Cook when they were loaded with their minimum fuel loads.
>>>> 11		 
>>>> Opportunities, challenges and way forward for the charcoal briquette industry in Sub-Saharan AfricaOriginal Research Article
>>>> Pages 158-170
>>>> Tuyeni H. Mwampamba, Matthew Owen, Maurice Pigaht	
>>>> ► Briquette producers are struggling to stay productive despite existing opportunities. ► Slow uptake of briquettes stunts industry growth due to insufficient sales volumes. ► Misconceptions of briquettes' potential and non-conducive policies contribute. ► Expanding to non-traditional markets and applications is required for growth. ► Active role of government pressed on by an association of producers is direly needed.
>>>> 12		 
>>>> Cogenerating electricity from charcoaling: A promising new advanced technology Original Research Article
>>>> Pages 171-176
>>>> Rogério Carneiro de Miranda, Rob Bailis, Adriana de Oliveira Vilela	
>>>> ► Traditional charcoal making through batch pyrolysis loses 50% of feedstock energy. ► Losses occur because high-energy pyrolysis gases escape unutilized. ► Pyrolysis gases could be used to cogenerate heat and electricity. ► The technology reduces emissions of GHG, generates bio power, and boosts income.
>>>> 13		 
>>>> Estimating the spatial distribution of woody biomass suitable for charcoal making from remote sensing and geostatistics in central Mexico Original Research Article
>>>> Pages 177-188
>>>> Miguel Ángel Castillo-Santiago, Adrián Ghilardi, Ken Oyama, José Luis Hernández-Stefanoni, Ignacio Torres, Alejandro Flamenco-Sandoval, Ana Fernández, Jean-François Mas	
>>>> ► Satellite imagery and ground data were used to map biomass suitable for charcoal. ► The spatial autocorrelation helped improving the accuracy of estimations. ► Results are a key milestone in planning for sustainable charcoal.
>>>> 14		 
>>>> Innovation in charcoal production: A comparative life-cycle assessment of two kiln technologies in BrazilOriginal Research Article
>>>> Pages 189-200
>>>> Rob Bailis, Charissa Rujanavech, Puneet Dwivedi, Adriana de Oliveira Vilela, Howard Chang, Rogério Carneiro de Miranda	
>>>> ► Brazil is the largest charcoal producing nation using primarily hot-tail kilns. ► Metal “container kilns” are being tested as a more efficient alternative. ► Container kilns allow the use of pyrolysis gases for production of heat and power. ► LCA shows container kilns perform better in energy, GHG emissions, and water use.
>>>> 
>>>> 3.   The cite below gives a $31.50 bargain.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> On Aug 16, 2013, at 4:45 AM, Rogerio carneiro de miranda <carneirodemiranda at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> Chris, here is a clue 
>>>>> 
>>>>> http://www.prolenha.org.br/images/arquivos/esd_2012_miranda_etal_charcoal_cogen.pdf
>>>>> 
>>>>> PROLENHA is planning to hold a workshop on charcoaling cogeneration in the near future.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Rogério
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
> 

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