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From the Desk of the Editor...
We live in an era of information explosion. Never before has information connected the present with the past and helped in the shaping of the future so successfully as it does today. However, we also live in an era of global warming and deteriorating environmental conditions. Our dependence on and consumption of fossil fuels, the primary cause for global warming and precipitating climate change, has increased proportionately with our growing energy needs. Moreover, fossil fuels are finite resources, which means they will get exhausted very soon. It is in this context that sustainable development for our world necessitates using renewable sources of energy. Besides, the rate at which these sources are used should not exceed the net rate of their harnessing/formation. While achieving this is at best and a distant dream of IRENet (the Indian Rural Energy Network comprising 52 grassroot NGOs), a beginning, however small, had to be made. It is in this beginning and the attempt that information plays a key role. Working in remote and inaccessible rural areas with extremely limited access to information communication, IRENet members have all along realized the need for an appropriate vehicle for sharing experiences that could be used to achieve the goal of promoting the use of renewables. As an outcome of IRENet members' decade long experience in this area, Energy Lines, we hope, will be a vehicle for communication between the network members and the outside world. We look forward to receiving articles and news from IRENet members and others involved in promoting renewable energy in rural areas in India. Wish you happy reading! MEENU MISHRA | ||
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Chairman's Message We are pleased to bring out Energy Lines as an information newsletter to link IRENet partners and other like-minded NGOs, government offices and institutions. We live in a world, where the criterion of development is determined by the quantum of energy generated and used. As we talk and reflect more and more on the sustainability of development, we must remember that it must be applicable to energy as well. How do we progress toward this? The solution is greater focus on saving energy. How true is the old adage "energy saved is energy generated!" Besides saving energy, we need to look at what non-conventional energy sources can be developed to replace conventional energy sources. We need to take the message of saving energy and generating alternative sources of energy as part of our effort for sustainable energy option.
Researchers in energy should also focus on how best we can make life comfortable and happy with as little energy as possible. Such researchers are, however, not the exclusive monopoly of conventional research establishments alone. All those who use energy have to think of energy saving methods, and try innovating energy devices, sources and methods of energy use. The key to sustainability shall be "as little energy as possible" causing minimum harm to ourselves, society and the environment. This is the message which Energy Lines wants to bring to the readers.
FR. MATHEW VADAKKEMURIYIL | ||
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The Canada-India Rural Energy Project (CIREP) was conceived by CHF-PARTNERS to effectively promote and popularize renewable energy technologies in rural areas of India. The objective was to reduce stress on the ecology and environment. The following two-pronged strategy is being used to achieve the desired objective:
IRENet is the principal collaborating agency in India for CIREP. IRENet's experience of having worked with PARTNERS as the erstwhile AFPRO Network for more than a decade makes it the natural choice. A number of CIREP activities are complete, many are ongoing, and more are still to follow. A brief sketch of the status of activities follows: Vision, Mission, Development Plan: Vision and Mission statements are ready and the Development Plan is under preparation. Database: An extensive computerized database containing vast information on renewable energy and rural development is ready. The software is user-friendly. Communication Strategy: The final document on a communication strategy is under preparation. Newsletter: The first issue of a bilingual newsletter called Energy Lines has been released. Web site: An appropriate web site under construction is expected to be functional by December 2001. PRA and Analysis Tools: A set of PRA tools prepared for IRENet members can be used by any NGO field worker to estimate the energy demand of a village and identify technologies to meet this demand. A guidebook explaining the usage and application of these tools is under preparation. A training program is also scheduled for all members on a regional basis. Entrepreneurship and Marketing: Network members will also be provided in-depth training in entrepreneurship development and marketing skills for promoting renewable technologies in a more sustainable manner. A guidebook will support. Organizational Development: A customized training module on Organizational Development created with the aim to help in developing synergy in the network is scheduled for November 2001 along with the AGM. Pilot Projects: Proposals are being invited for funding through pilot projects. With one round of regional consultations complete, IRENet members are now familiar with the ways of conceptualizing and developing proposals conforming to the guidelines. Beginning shortly, a set of projects will be under way, financed from the pilot project fund. Resource Mobilization: A number of funding agencies and donors have been identified that will help IRENet plan its fund-raising activities. |