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Sara Walton “Lighting in Vanuatu: understanding rapid technological change.”
The document explores the rapid transition from kerosene to solar LED lighting in Vanuatu, detailing objectives like distributing solar lamps, raising awareness, and establishing sustainable solar industries. It employs a holistic approach, utilizing surveys, interviews, and focus groups to assess socio-political conditions and impacts of this technological shift. The findings indicate that cultural networks and informal distribution channels played a crucial role in this energy transition, with insights gained through the energy cultures framework enhancing understanding of the complex interactions involved.
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Sara Walton “Lighting in Vanuatu: understanding rapid technological change.”
- 1. Lighting in Vanuatu:understanding rapid technological change Dr. Sara Walton and Dr. Rebecca Ford With thanks to: David Swete-Kelly, Dr. Adam Doering Dr. Cle-Anne Gabriel
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- 5. AusAID project objectives Removeexisting barriers to enable a rapid transition from kerosene to solar LED lighting in Vanuatu – Distribute a minimum of 24,000 solar lamps – Raise awareness of pico‐solar products – Establish a network of distribution/sale channels – Build a viable and sustainable solar industry
- 6. The report researchquestions • How has the technological shift from Lighting Vanuatu project been enabled? • What are the (socio- political) conditions that have made the shift • Can the Energy Cultures framework help to make sense of the impacts arising from the shift in lighting technology?
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- 8. The mission 14 daysof field work in Vanuatu
- 9. Research methods • Enumerators –Training – Implications for the data generation • Stakeholder interviews – NGOs, World Bank, ED etc • Villages – Focus group – Individual interviews – Talk with the Chief
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- 11. Data generated &analysed • Survey – not carried out by us, data patchy • Interviews – key stakeholders, NGOs, Villagers with solar lights, solar businesses • Focus groups – in the villages –whoever is around and available. Some very big! • Observations in the field – constantly meeting people and asking them about lighting, visiting shops, watching and talking to people in the villages.
- 12. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA)
- 13. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks
- 14. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks Support for existing practices - easier to use
- 15. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks Support for existing practices - easier to use - better light - safer light
- 16. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks Support for existing practices - easier to use - better light - safer light Support new practices - Study at night - Work at night New practices
- 17. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks Support for existing practices - easier to use - better light - safer light Support new practices - Study at night - Work at night New practices High/increasing price of kerosene and rural electricity Social norming Visibility at night & when charging Marketing
- 18. Social norming Visibility at night & when charging Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-sidesubsidy for NGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks New practices New norms If we had to go back to kerosene we would be embarrassed If we see someone using kerosene we laugh, it’s like they’re stuck in the past. What else but solar! Support for existing practices - easier to use - better light - safer light Support new practices - Study at night - Work at night High/increasing price of kerosene and rural electricity Marketing
- 19. Material culture PracticesNorms Supply-side subsidy forNGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Pico lights adoption Communication and circulation Multiple (and informal) distribution networks New practices New norms Aspirations Social norming Visibility at night & when charging Support for existing practices - easier to use - better light - safer light Support new practices - Study at night - Work at night High/increasing price of kerosene and rural electricity Marketing
- 20. Practices Material culture Norms Pico solar lights Expectations Solar technologies Supply-side subsidyfor NGOs (ACTIV and VANREPA) Expectations and aspirations Existing and new practices Multiple distribution networks Communication Communication and circulation Everyday household tasks easier Greater freedom to use, eg walking at night Children using lamps New evening practices e.g. Womens weaving; homework Use of energy no longer monitored Easy & safer to operate Supporting social interactions, fishing, etc at night Less need to engage in cash economy Isi nomo Aspirations for more solar “Free” energy normed (cf costly kerosene) Aversion to kerosene Solar expectations Multiple lights in homes Investment in other solar energy technologies New technology and business
- 21. Implications • This wasa rapid energy transition brought about by a number of factors not least the ability to draw upon informal cultural networks to disseminate knowledge of the lights and the material good themselves. Using the EC has enabled an understanding of the factors and the interactions of the factors in this transition. Plus delving further into some of the socio-political and economic contexts further enabled an examination of the factors in considerable depth. • In addition to the depth of analysis using the Energy Cultures approach has enabled a breadth of analysis. There are a variety of factors that have been considered and explored in the process of understanding the transition. Examining from this holistic perspective develops big picture type thinking and means that the unintended consequences can be considered as part of the framing. The result then builds a picture of the systems (social, economic etc.) around the transitions and helps make sense of the interactions of the various elements creating a rich understanding of the dynamics of a complex process.
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