Alternative Fuel For Nepal

15 Pages 3789 Words

TED Case Study

Alternative Fuel Sources in Nepal

I. IDENTIFICATION:

1. The Issue

Nepal is faced with a double-edged sword when dealing with the issue of energy. The amount of fuel wood is diminishing while the demand for more energy is increasing. Eventually, there will be a time when Nepal’s resources are gone. Alternate methods of deriving fuel and energy will be necessary in the near future. Biogas is one of the more efficient ways of supplying energy resources to Nepal.

2. Description

There are many problems faced by Nepal in developing alternative methods of energy production. These problems are, and will continue to be, addressed with three new, alternative energy sources. However, before getting to the decision making of which system to promote or how to fund the chosen system the notion of technology transfer, specifically the advantages of vertical and horizontal transfer needs to be made clear. Vertical transfer is the relocation of a business or industry without the use or help of local business or industry. In the case of overhauling energy systems there would need to be a decent amount of vertical transfer because most of the technology for these systems is in the hands of developed nations. Horizontal transfer would be the integration of new technologies through joint ventures, education, and management of the new technology to enhance the chances of adoption and success in the new location. Technology, in these instances, would refer not only to the equipment, but the “know-how” and experience to set up and work with these new ideas. (Forsyth, 1999)
The three main, competing renewable energy technologies presently are photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind energy systems, and biomass systems. PV systems turn ultraviolet light into electricity. Because PV systems are among the most advanced systems of renewable energy technology, the leaders of the United Nations Framework Conventio...