Context matters and electrification models should reflect it
On 18.10.2022 by Churchill Omondi Agutu, Florian Manuel EgliThis blogpost discusses a key shortcoming in electrification models used by policymakers and international organizations to chart electricity access pathways in sub-Saharan Africa – unrealistic financing cost assumptions. We highlight why this often overlooked flaw in electrification models could slacken efforts to reach universal electricity access by 2030 and highlight why it matters.
Two key ways Switzerland can promote electricity access and take climate action in low-income countries
On 03.05.2022 by Yael Borofsky, Churchill Omondi AgutuEarlier this year, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) organised the first International Cooperation Forum in Geneva to address poverty and climate change. We highlight our key takeaways about electricity access from the event.
Cheers to 50 articles! 500 more perhaps?
On 04.04.2022 by Churchill Omondi Agutu, Christine Johanna GschwendtnerSo the Energy Blog @ETH just turned 50 articles old! Writing for the win! To think that an idea that was sparked by an unexpected encounter of students Flo, Yael, Evan & Alejandro, in their early PhD years while at ETH Zurich, what a feat! Through the support of the ETH Energy Science Centre (ESC), the Energy Blog @ETH team, consisting mostly of PhD students, along with professors and ESC staff, has worked to create a space where anyone working in energy at ETH Zurich can showcase their research or give informed opinions on pertinent energy topics of our time.
In this article, we at the Energy Blog @ETH team want to give you a glimpse “behind the curtain” into the inner workings of our team! What is the #ETHEnergyBlog about? And how can you be part of this budding team?
Economics & Policy . Electricity . Energy Supply
Building Resilience to the Next Pandemic: The “Power” of sub-Saharan Africa’s Off-grid Electricity Sector
On 13.07.2020 by Churchill Omondi AgutuIn the wake of the current global pandemic, building resilience to future pandemics will be on the minds of many policymakers going forward. For sub-Saharan Africa, linking electrification with essential services such as healthcare, clean water and sanitation, could do double duty by expanding electricity access and making these countries more resilient to COVID-19.
Electricity . Energy Supply . Society
Electrifying Rwanda: Why mini-grid companies have lost the game
On 07.04.2020 by Churchill Omondi AgutuRwanda’s goal to reach 100% electrification by 2024 relies heavily on off-grid electricity systems, like solar home systems and mini-grids. Based on my recent field research, this will be a tall order for burgeoning solar home system and, especially, mini-grid companies, who face a number of challenges to scale.