Grace Gius , Matthew Walker , Andre Li , Nicholas J. Adams , Robert Van Buskirk , Pete Schwartz
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引用次数: 9
Abstract
Direct DC Solar (DDS) electricity can inexpensively cook food and charge appliances. Insulating the cooking chamber allows the food to cook with a lower-power (less expensive) solar panel over a longer cooking time. We explain how using a chain of diodes instead of a resistive heater extracts more energy from a solar panel over a variety of solar intensities and also acts as a rough, inexpensive voltage regulator to charge batteries and power appliances. We show how a diode heater produces more heat from a solar panel than either a DDS resistive heater or a PWM/battery-connected resistive heater, averaged over a wide variety of solar intensities. The resulting cost of electricity is already cost competitive with biomass cooking in many areas. Benefits include inexpensive access to electricity as well as reductions in indoor air pollution, deforestation, and cost/burden of providing cooking fuel. With continued decrease in the price of solar panels, DDS will become ever more effective for bringing electricity and electrical cooking to the global poor.
Development EngineeringEconomics, Econometrics and Finance-Economics, Econometrics and Finance (all)
CiteScore
4.90
自引率
0.00%
发文量
11
审稿时长
31 weeks
期刊介绍:
Development Engineering: The Journal of Engineering in Economic Development (Dev Eng) is an open access, interdisciplinary journal applying engineering and economic research to the problems of poverty. Published studies must present novel research motivated by a specific global development problem. The journal serves as a bridge between engineers, economists, and other scientists involved in research on human, social, and economic development. Specific topics include: • Engineering research in response to unique constraints imposed by poverty. • Assessment of pro-poor technology solutions, including field performance, consumer adoption, and end-user impacts. • Novel technologies or tools for measuring behavioral, economic, and social outcomes in low-resource settings. • Hypothesis-generating research that explores technology markets and the role of innovation in economic development. • Lessons from the field, especially null results from field trials and technical failure analyses. • Rigorous analysis of existing development "solutions" through an engineering or economic lens. Although the journal focuses on quantitative, scientific approaches, it is intended to be suitable for a wider audience of development practitioners and policy makers, with evidence that can be used to improve decision-making. It also will be useful for engineering and applied economics faculty who conduct research or teach in "technology for development."