This Solution was tailored to Local Governments who have ownership and/or regulatory authority over the municipal water supply system. In this Solution, the Local Government takes a comprehensive approach throughout the different phases of the system’s project and useful life to decrease water-loss, both due to leakage and ruptures and to unaccounted consumption, from policy setting, project design, and project evaluation criteria to operation, monitoring, and maintenance of the system.
Sludge is the solid waste material, primarily organic in nature which settles out in the residential/municipal wastewater treatment process. When the dewatered and dried sludge undergoes anaerobic digestion, it generates biogas (mostly Methane) which can be collected and used as a source of renewable energy.
Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping serves as a framework to organize and analyze data, and communicate information using the science of geography. It also reveals deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations, helping users make smarter decisions [1]. Before the introduction of GIS for resource assessment, site suitability was carried out through site surveys, paper maps, and other time-consuming, inefficient, and costly field sampling methods.
Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) is an innovative business model where energy service companies sell or lease solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, usually solar home systems (SHS), to customers in exchange for regular payments via mobile money, cash or scratch cards [1]. Due to the range of packages available, customers can choose from starter kits that supply a few lights and charge cell phones, to larger systems that can power TVs, radios, stoves and small fridges [1][2]. In some cases, if a customer cannot make payments, the energy service provider is able to switch off the system remotely, and switch them on again once payment is made [2
Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen gas produced through a process called electrolysis, using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. It’s called “green”” because the energy used in its production comes from sustainable and clean sources, resulting in minimal or no greenhouse gas emissions. The process of creating green hydrogen involves splitting water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) through electrolysis. During electrolysis, an electric current passes through water, causing the water molecules to dissociate into their constituent elements: hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced in this way can be stored and used as a clean energy carrier in various sectors, such as transportation, industry, and power generation.”
Energy storage refers to technologies that capture one form of energy (usually electrical) when generated and store it as another (chemical, thermal, mechanical or electrochemical) for release when required [1]. Storage is essential for enabling the use of variable renewable energy (vRE) such as solar and wind due to its intermittent nature.
Crowdfunding is where several individuals contribute small sums of money in order to fund a project. Given the low risk that each person takes on, crowdfunding can be an innovative financing tool, including for local renewable energy (RE) projects [1]. They can also help involve the local community in various ways, increasing buy-in and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project [2]. This solution addresses the use of crowdfunding for the local energy transition, and how local and regional governments (LRGs) can take advantage of it while protecting the best interests of their communities.
Access to clean cooking is essential for leading a healthy and productive life. Clean cooking solutions comprise fuels and technologies that cause very little or no household air pollution. While the definition of ‘clean cooking’ varies, they all broadly include technical aspects (type of fuel, stove efficiency), environmental (exposure, ventilation, etc.) and social aspects (access). Various sources also define certain clean fuels based largely on their emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG), including solar, biogas, natural gas, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol-based fuels. Other measures include other multi-dimensional factors, including exposure, fuel efficiency, safety, convenience, affordability, and availability. The focus of this solution is renewable sources and enablers that can be used for clean cooking, excluding fossil fuels such as natural gas and LPG that might meet the definition of clean cooking, but are not renewable.
Sector coupling is defined as the process of interconnecting power generating resources with energy consuming sectors such as the heating, transport, gas, and other. This is in order to economically optimize operations of the energy system and facilitate the integration of the intermittent renewables through enhanced energy system flexibility. There are two main strategies: first, through electrification by promoting electric mobility and replacing traditional heating systems with electric heat pumps, to use renewable electricity instead of fossil fuels. The second strategy is through “Power-to-X”, whereby synthetic fuels are produced from renewable electricity through transformation into heating (P2H) or cooling, gas (P2G), or liquid (P2L) for use in final consumption. The generated fuels and carriers such as hydrogen, methane, gasoline, or kerosene can also reduce CO2 emissions using the existing gas and heat infrastructure.
The impacts of climate change are being felt worldwide, ranging from extreme weather events to long-term challenges. To strengthen urban resilience, sub-national governments can adopt nature-based solutions (NbS). NbS are defined as cost-effective solutions inspired and supported by nature that provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience.
This Solution supports local governments in retrofitting existing district heating systems to make them more modern, energy efficient and cost-effective. It is applicable to old systems – from small to large – facing difficulties and which are owned, operated or regulated by the local government.
