Note: This submission originated as an oral presentation titled “Scientific Collaboration to
Achieve Affordable, Sustainable Energy for Humanity” on behalf of Dr. Jatin Nathwani. This has
been amended to a 2 hour panel discussion.
Title
Social & Scientific Collaboration to Achieve Affordable, Sustainable Energy for Humanity
Panelists
1. Dr. Jatin Nathwani – Professor, Ontario Research Chair, and Executive Director of the
Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Waterloo
2. Rachel McManus – Country Director Haiti, Earthspark International
3. Mathieu Chemin – Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, McGill University
4. David Biello – Environment & Energy Editor, Scientific American (Moderator)
Authors
1. Nigel Moore, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Waterloo
2. Dr. Jatin Nathwani, Professor, Ontario Research Chair and Executive Director, Waterloo
Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Waterloo
Abstract
Sixty years have passed since the first global wave of mass electrification and yet, nearly 20%
of the world’s population – 1.3 billion people – lack reliable access to electricity and close to
40% – 2.6 billion people – are also without clean cooking fuel. Solutions to this energy access
dilemma promise to ameliorate living conditions for women and children, improve baseline
health, provide new opportunities for education, and contribute significantly to economic
progress.
Creating access for this underserved global population remains a significant challenge despite
initiatives like the UN’s Year of Sustainable Energy for All (2012). We are quickly approaching
the UN Millennium Development Goals deadline and as work begins on the Sustainable
Development Goals, the importance of partnership and collaboration to our ability to provide
access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG #7) is clear.
While scientific and technological advances in energy generation, storage, and distribution are
critical, creating the capacity to deliver these innovations on a large scale requires an
international and multidisciplinary approach. Global ingenuity and cooperation throughout the
research and development process coupled with local knowledge and community driven
solutions will yield greater success in implementing suitable, sustainable, and efficient
technologies.
Panel
Rather than presenting a peer-reviewed academic paper, this panel is intended to be a dynamic
and engaging discussion about the energy access challenge between individuals with expertise
in basic sciences and technology, economics, innovation in design of solutions, social and
cultural dimensions of technology adoption and insights from field deployment in communities
with minimal, unreliable and low access to energy.
Through a journalist-moderated discussion, participants will reflect upon “silos” in the energy
access space and how those hinder our ability to provide access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG #7). Specifically, the panel will address what is
being missed by existing initiatives such as the UN SE4ALL and the efforts of the World Bank,
NGOs and philanthropic organizations working in energy access space, the value and
challenges of breaking down disciplinary barriers, and how best to enable researchers and
practitioners to develop innovative energy technologies and implementation strategies.
Working Paper
The panel discussion will be anchored by a working paper (the Brief) that serves as the
foundational document for WGSI’s Global Energy Access Summit in April 2016. This Brief will
go through a series of review cycles in the lead-up to the Summit at key stakeholder gatherings
such as the International Conference on Sustainable Development (New York, September 2324, 2015), COP 21 (Paris, November 30-December 13, 2015) and the AAAS Annual Meeting
(Washington, DC, February 12-15, 2016).
Ultimately, the Brief is intended to identify knowledge gaps in the energy access challenge and
assumptions about solution approaches (a list of examples follows). Each review cycle allows
the authors to engage different stakeholder groups to identify and assess the validity of these
gaps.
Knowledge Gaps
What are strategies for the grid “fringe” (areas
close to large grids but are low priority for
connection)?
What strategies for integration of microgrid
backup power will work in areas with weak grids?
How do we appropriately assess the energy needs
of communities that have never had electricity
services?
How does microgrid technology need to be
adapted for cold, hot, and remote areas?
What is the most effective way to transition a
community from fossil fuels to renewables?
Assumptions
Decentralized power is essential to meeting the
energy access challenge.
Improved storage technology is required.
A 10-fold decrease in cost performance of
technology is required.
Increased robustness of technology is required.
Effective solutions are community-driven.