[Stoves] [Ethos] ETHOS Discussion about decentalized stove efforts

Sat Jan 11 06:27:11 CST 2014

Dear All,

This is a very interesting discussion that I have been happily following
during my travels this last week. I find that discussions like these help
to define the complexities of the biomass cookstove sector. I often wonder
what other non-electric domestic cooking appliances attract such passionate
players and great thinkers in their respective product lines.

I personally have been lucky enough to have been somewhat involved in both
ends of this question of centralized and decentralized manufacture of
cookstoves - my late dad, Dr. Max Kinyanjui, would tell me of how once he
almost quite the KCJ (Kenya Ceramic Jiko) project when centralized
production was initially suggested, and thankfully he did not. Today I am
currently looking into designing flat pack systems for KCJ's and other
associated sheet metal cut outs ( charcoal making drum kilns, charcoal
baking ovens etc.) that can be locally assembled by networks of existing
manufactures; this is mainly to reduce raw material transport and waste
issues, increase standardization levels, increase customer/stove maker
interactions and to reduce end user costs.

I feel that one major design achievement to enhance stove dissemination
(but is perhaps a bit bad business) is to create something that is so
useful and easy to use, understand and make money off of, to huge range of
potential customers that replication, sometimes for the better, many times
for the worse, snowballs the technology into the kitchens of the ones
needing it most.

To the Cookswell/Kinyanjui family, seeing our inventions and designs being
copied and sold in many countries by many levels of manufacturers is one of
the most satisfactory feelings of being good stove makers. We also very
much hope that more people will also begin to take the time to appreciate
the value of conducting a holistic manufacturing process that gives due
consideration to the life cycle analysis of the product(s) in question.

And as we continue exploring not only the stove, but the entire
''seed-to-ash'' cycle of household biomass energy, I would just like to
send a vote of thanks to all those who actively contribute and manage this
list serve, it is very good stove reading.

Happy new years and all the best to all,

Teddy Kinyanjui

Sustainability Director

*Cookswell Jikos*
www.cookswell.co.ke
www.facebook.com/CookswellJikos
www.kenyacharcoal.blogspot.com
Mobile: +254 700 380 009
Mobile: +254 700 905 913
P.O. Box 1433, Nairobi 00606, Kenya

On Wed, Jan 8, 2014 at 5:22 PM, Ranyee Chiang
<rchiang at cleancookstoves.org>wrote:

> Interesting topics for further discussion at ETHOS.  A good way to frame
> this discussion may be to think about ways that the different types of
> efforts can be integrated together, or how they can learn from each other.
>  Certainly from the Global Alliance's point of view, both types of efforts
> are important and require different types of tailored support.  It would be
> useful to hear some discussion about the specifics of the tailored support
> that is needed in each case.  And overall, I think that a discussion
> focused "and" not "versus" would be quite interesting.
>
> Cheers,
> Ranyee
> ________________________________________
> From: ethos-bounces at vrac.iastate.edu <ethos-bounces at vrac.iastate.edu> on
> behalf of Paul Anderson <psanders at ilstu.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 3:33 PM
> To: Discussion of biomass cooking stoves; ETHOS - Listserve
> Subject: Re: [Ethos] [Stoves] ETHOS Discussion about decentalized stove
> efforts
>
> Ben,
>
> Please provide more info about that suggestion/recommendation. When was
> it, and to whom?   Any viable contacts that could be reached for further
> clarification?
>
> In general, the decentralized elements are not "organized" and have far
> fewer funds.   Much of it is lobbying and money to get decisions that
> favor those who can lobby and have the money already.    Because that is
> not likely to change, what strategies are possible for decentralized
> efforts even in relatively small geographic areas?
>
> Paul
>
> Doc  /  Dr TLUD  /  Prof. Paul S. Anderson, PhD
> Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu
> Skype: paultlud      Phone: +1-309-452-7072
> Website:  www.drtlud.com
>
> On 12/31/2013 8:51 PM, Ben Blevins wrote:
> > Deloitte contractors suggested decentralized for various reasons, there
> consulting was rejected because the finding did not reinforce the message
> of mass production and distribution by development industry players.
> >
> > B
> >
> >
> > On Dec 31, 2013, at 6:34 PM, Paul Anderson <psanders at ilstu.edu> wrote:
> >
> >> Dear Paal, and all,
> >>
> >> As much as I can agree with Paal's statements, but I think the cards
> are stacked against the success of decentralized efforts.
> >>
> >> The issue that Paal raises about the need to have decentralized
> production of stoves (and fuels) is a touchy topic because the "model" of
> the affluent world is for centralized industrial production.   That
> centralized model is certainly a cornerstone of the GACC  and WB and many
> who feel that the model of the affluent world will work to resolve major
> issues in the developing world. And they control access to most of the
> funding.   And they present very convincing arguments.   (If they could
> not, they would not be in control of the situation.)
> >>
> >> It would be good to have some examples of decentralized efforts having
> major impacts.   Maybe the spread of the Kenyan ceramic jiko (KCJ) is one
> example.
> >>
> >> I will be at ETHOS and willing for such discussions if others step
> forward wanting to discuss this informally as an ad hoc sub-group.
> >>
> >> Paul
> >>
> >> Doc  /  Dr TLUD  /  Prof. Paul S. Anderson, PhD
> >> Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu
> >> Skype: paultlud      Phone: +1-309-452-7072
> >> Website:  www.drtlud.com
> >>
> >> On 12/31/2013 10:15 AM, paaw at online.no wrote:
> >>> On Tue, 31 Dec 2013 08:12:54 -0700,
> >>> stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Due to health and age it will not be possible for me to participate,
> but after 30 years working with task and followed the discussion at Stove
> list I have come to this conclusion.
> >>>>
> >>>> There has to be a discussion at ETHOS about centralized or
> decentralized activities regarding fuel and stove production with a view on
> the enormous unemployment in developing countries. Taken into consideration
> the high demands of clean combustion, pellets will be the future biomass
> fuel for simple clean burning such as TLUD ND and FD. Energy forestry and
> agriculture energy production together collection of waste biomass of
> different types will give a lot of new needed jobs.
> >>>>
> >>>> ·         Registration of local waste combustible biomass.
> >>>>
> >>>> ·         Use of local resources
> >>>>
> >>>> ·         Biochar production by cooking.
> >>>>
> >>>> That will be the best way for GACC Stove program to support the low
> income groups all around the worl
> >>>>
> >>>> Best regards Paal Wendelbo paaw at online.no
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> >>>
> >>
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> >
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