Innovation Labs - Revision history

Lisafeldmann at 13:02, 26 October 2026

2026-10-26T13:02:24Z

Lisafeldmann at 13:00, 26 October 2026

2026-10-26T13:00:48Z

Lisafeldmann at 14:03, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T14:03:05Z

Lisafeldmann at 14:02, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T14:02:44Z

Lisafeldmann at 14:00, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T14:00:20Z

Lisafeldmann at 13:53, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T13:53:17Z

Lisafeldmann at 13:52, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T13:52:29Z

Lisafeldmann: /* Understanding the Diffusion of E-cooking Solutions for Micro Enterprises in Rural Nepal */

2026-09-29T13:52:17Z

Understanding the Diffusion of E-cooking Solutions for Micro Enterprises in Rural Nepal

Lisafeldmann: /* Pre-Feasibility Study on Electric Mobility in the Galkot-Badigad-Nisi Corridor */

2026-09-29T13:49:38Z

Pre-Feasibility Study on Electric Mobility in the Galkot-Badigad-Nisi Corridor

Lisafeldmann at 13:45, 29 September 2026

2026-09-29T13:45:54Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <div class="WISIONS">
 == WISIONS' Approach to Systemic Change ==
 [[File:Innovation labs.png|right|550x550px]]Energy can be an enabler of development for rural and peri-urban populations in the Global South. However, shifting to sustainable development paths requires systemic change. This implies – on the one hand – recognising the links between energy and other development needs and taking action to unlock this potential. On the other hand, it means stimulating change at all levels and with all stakeholders involved in the provision of energy.

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 Although more than 95% of households now have access to electricity, the uptake of electric cooking (e-cooking) in commercial settings has so far been minimal. To date, most research and interventions have focused primarily on household-level adoption, leaving a significant evidence and experience gap for small businesses. At the same time, sustaining Nepal’s more than 1,800 micro-hydropower (MHP) plants in the mid-hills requires innovative approaches to increase electricity demand and secure their financial viability. Promoting the use of e-cooking solutions by local micro enterprises represents an opportunity to increase the productive use of the power generated by MHP plants. With its scalability and replicability across the mid-hill range, e-cooking provides a multidimensional intervention that links energy transition with sustainable mountain development.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [https://energypedia.info/images/b/bb/WISIONS-Reports_IL-Nepal_E-Cooking_2025.pdf English]
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 The Pre-feasibility Study for Electric Mobility in the Galkot-Badigad-Nisikhola Corridor explores the opportunities for deploying electric vehicles (EVs) as an alternative to the region’s urgent need for affordable and sustainable public transport. To evaluate this potential, the research combined field visits, key informant interviews (KIIs), structured surveys with driver and passengers to capture the local mobility pattern and service needs. It also employs financial modelling to assess the technical, socio-economic, and operational feasibility of deploying EVs along key routes in the corridor.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [https://energypedia.info/images/9/93/WISIONS-Reports_IL-Nepal_E-Mobility_2025.pdf English]
@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS Factsheet-Series Strenghtening-Livelihoods NEP 2026.pdf|Nepali]]
 Published in 2026
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 102: / Line 120: @@
 Despite 100% renewable electricity generation and 95% grid access in Nepal, 64% of energy relies on biomass, with less than 1% using electric cooking (e-cooking). Evaluated across 20 small commercial businesses in Baglung District, this pilot tested 2kW induction stoves and compatible cookware to assess commercial feasibility. Live peer demonstrations proved vital for overcoming adoption hesitation. Key barriers included electrical supply unreliability, high upfront costs (CapEx), scarce commercial-sized cookware, and a lack of local repair services. However, replacing expensive imported LPG with cheaper, efficient local electricity significantly dropped operational expenses (OpEx). High-usage businesses achieved investment payback in just 10–12 months. Beyond financial savings, e-cooking eliminates toxic indoor smoke, improves safety, enhances national energy resilience, absorbs wasted micro-hydro capacity, and supports Nepal's target of 15,000 e-cooking institutions by 2035.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS-IL-Nepal-Factsheet-E-cooking-EN 2026.pdf|English]]
@@ Line 120: / Line 138: @@
 Centered on local economic development, this publication analyzes the productive use of energy (PUE) in mountainous areas of Nepal. It demonstrates how utilizing off-peak electricity from MHPs for processing agricultural yields, running small workshops, and operating commercial machinery drives rural enterprise growth. The factsheet highlights how integrating PUE initiatives optimizes plant utilization, improves MHP financial viability, creates jobs, and boosts overall community prosperity.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_PUE_in_mountainous_regions_in_Nepal_EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_PUE_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 Published in 2025
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 This publication addresses the technical, regulatory, and economic dimensions of connecting off-grid micro-hydropower plants to Nepal’s national electricity grid. Interconnecting MHPs allows remote communities to sell surplus energy back to the grid, transforming local plants into profitable ventures while enhancing regional power stability. The factsheet outlines required policy updates, technical standardization, grid infrastructure improvements, and financial mechanisms needed to successfully implement grid-tied MHP models.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS Factsheet-Series MHP-Grid-Interconnection-EN 2025.pdf|English]]
@@ Line 180: / Line 180: @@
 Moving beyond traditional community user committees, this factsheet advocates for transitioning MHPs into formal, cooperative business models. Operating as social cooperatives professionalizes management, enhances financial transparency, improves maintenance reliability, and enables communities to reinvest energy profits into local development projects. The document details institutional structures, capacity-building requirements, and policy changes necessary to foster sustainable, market-oriented energy management in rural areas.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_MHP-Models-EN_2025.pdf|English]]
@@ Line 201: / Line 201: @@
 This factsheet examines nature-based bioengineering solutions for slope stabilization and flood prevention across Nepal's landslide-prone mountain regions. By combining local vegetation, deep-rooting plants, and native materials with simple civil engineering structures, bioengineering offers a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to heavy concrete infrastructure. The strategy protects vital community assets, mitigates erosion and disaster risks, improves soil stability, and restores delicate mountain ecosystems.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions-EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
@@ Line 220: / Line 220: @@
 Highlighting sustainable economic growth, this factsheet focuses on strengthening value chains for non-timber forest products (NTFPs), specifically Dhatelo oil in Nepal. It outlines processing techniques, quality improvements, market access strategies, and enterprise support for wild-harvested resources. By linking local collectors with commercial processors and higher-value markets, the initiative generates sustainable, equitable income for rural households while incentivizing biodiversity conservation and forest stewardship.
-Download in
+Download in:
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_NTFPS_EN_2025.pdf|English]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:03, 29 September 2026
Line 69:		Line 69:


−
−
−

	</div>		</div>

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 '''Understanding the Diffusion of E-cooking Solutions for Micro Enterprises in Rural Nepal'''
-Nepal’s rural commercial cooking sector continues to rely heavily on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biomass, despite the country’s vast hydropower potential and improving grid reliability. Although more than 95% of households now have access to electricity, the uptake of electric cooking (e-cooking) in commercial settings has so far been minimal. To date, most research and interventions have focused primarily on household-level adoption, leaving a significant evidence and experience gap for small businesses. At the same time, sustaining Nepal’s more than 1,800 micro-hydropower (MHP) plants in the mid-hills requires innovative approaches to increase electricity demand and secure their financial viability. Promoting the use of e-cooking solutions by local micro enterprises represents an opportunity to increase the productive use of the power generated by MHP plants. With its scalability and replicability across the mid-hill range, e-cooking provides a multidimensional intervention that links energy transition with sustainable mountain development.
+Although more than 95% of households now have access to electricity, the uptake of electric cooking (e-cooking) in commercial settings has so far been minimal. To date, most research and interventions have focused primarily on household-level adoption, leaving a significant evidence and experience gap for small businesses. At the same time, sustaining Nepal’s more than 1,800 micro-hydropower (MHP) plants in the mid-hills requires innovative approaches to increase electricity demand and secure their financial viability. Promoting the use of e-cooking solutions by local micro enterprises represents an opportunity to increase the productive use of the power generated by MHP plants. With its scalability and replicability across the mid-hill range, e-cooking provides a multidimensional intervention that links energy transition with sustainable mountain development.
 Download in
@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
 * [[:File:Wision-fcatsheet-Micro-HP_Nepal_2026.pdf|English]]
 Published in 2026
 </div>
@@ Line 168: / Line 166: @@
 Published in 2025
@@ Line 192: / Line 189: @@
 Published in 2025
@@ Line 212: / Line 208: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 Published in 2025
 </div>
@@ Line 234: / Line 228: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_NTFPS_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
-Published in 2025<br />
+Published in 2025
 </div>

@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 * [https://energypedia.info/images/b/bb/WISIONS-Reports_IL-Nepal_E-Cooking_2025.pdf English]
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 65: / Line 66: @@
 * [https://energypedia.info/images/9/93/WISIONS-Reports_IL-Nepal_E-Mobility_2025.pdf English]
@@ Line 88: / Line 91: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS Factsheet-Series Strenghtening-Livelihoods EN 2026.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS Factsheet-Series Strenghtening-Livelihoods NEP 2026.pdf|Nepali]]
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 104: / Line 108: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS-IL-Nepal-Factsheet-E-cooking-EN 2026.pdf|English]]
-* [[:File:WISIONS-IL-Nepal-Factsheet-E-cooking-NP 2026.pdf|Nepali]]<br />
+* [[:File:WISIONS-IL-Nepal-Factsheet-E-cooking-NP 2026.pdf|Nepali]]
+Published in 2026
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 125: / Line 127: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_PUE_in_mountainous_regions_in_Nepal_EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_PUE_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 </div>
 </div>
@@ Line 141: / Line 144: @@
 * [[:File:Wision-fcatsheet-Micro-HP_Nepal_2026.pdf|English]]
 <br />
@@ Line 162: / Line 166: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS Factsheet-Series MHP-Grid-Interconnection-EN 2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_MHP-Grid-Interconnection_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 <br />
@@ Line 185: / Line 190: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_MHP-Models-EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_MHP-Models_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 <br />
@@ Line 205: / Line 211: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions-EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
 <br />
@@ Line 227: / Line 234: @@
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_NTFPS_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
+Published in 2025<br />
 </div>

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 29 September 2026
Line 43:		Line 43:

	'''Understanding the Diffusion of E-cooking Solutions for Micro Enterprises in Rural Nepal'''		'''Understanding the Diffusion of E-cooking Solutions for Micro Enterprises in Rural Nepal'''
−
−

	Nepal’s rural commercial cooking sector continues to rely heavily on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biomass, despite the country’s vast hydropower potential and improving grid reliability. The Government of Nepal has prioritized the use of locally generated electricity across all sectors. Although more than 95% of households now have access to electricity, the uptake of electric cooking		Nepal’s rural commercial cooking sector continues to rely heavily on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and biomass, despite the country’s vast hydropower potential and improving grid reliability. The Government of Nepal has prioritized the use of locally generated electricity across all sectors. Although more than 95% of households now have access to electricity, the uptake of electric cooking

@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 '''Electric Cooking for Micro Enterprises in Nepal'''
+Despite 100% renewable electricity generation and 95% grid access in Nepal, 64% of energy relies on biomass, with less than 1% using electric cooking (e-cooking). Evaluated across 20 small commercial businesses in Baglung District, this pilot tested 2kW induction stoves and compatible cookware to assess commercial feasibility. Live peer demonstrations proved vital for overcoming adoption hesitation. Key barriers included electrical supply unreliability, high upfront costs (CapEx), scarce commercial-sized cookware, and a lack of local repair services. However, replacing expensive imported LPG with cheaper, efficient local electricity significantly dropped operational expenses (OpEx). High-usage businesses achieved investment payback in just 10–12 months. Beyond financial savings, e-cooking eliminates toxic indoor smoke, improves safety, enhances national energy resilience, absorbs wasted micro-hydro capacity, and supports Nepal's target of 15,000 e-cooking institutions by 2035.
 Download in
@@ Line 117: / Line 114: @@
 '''Productive use of energy in mountainous regions in Nepal'''
-This Factsheet...
+Centered on local economic development, this publication analyzes the productive use of energy (PUE) in mountainous areas of Nepal. It demonstrates how utilizing off-peak electricity from MHPs for processing agricultural yields, running small workshops, and operating commercial machinery drives rural enterprise growth. The factsheet highlights how integrating PUE initiatives optimizes plant utilization, improves MHP financial viability, creates jobs, and boosts overall community prosperity.
 Download in:
@@ Line 138: / Line 131: @@
 '''Re-imagining the Future of Micro Hydro-plants in Nepal'''
-Despite 100% renewable electricity generation and 95% grid access in Nepal, 64% of energy relies on biomass, with less than 1% using electric cooking (e-cooking). Evaluated across 20 small commercial businesses in Baglung District, this pilot tested 2kW induction stoves and compatible cookware to assess commercial feasibility. Live peer demonstrations proved vital for overcoming adoption hesitation. Key barriers included electrical supply unreliability, high upfront costs (CapEx), scarce commercial-sized cookware, and a lack of local repair services. However, replacing expensive imported LPG with cheaper, efficient local electricity significantly dropped operational expenses (OpEx). High-usage businesses achieved investment payback in just 10–12 months. Beyond financial savings, e-cooking eliminates toxic indoor smoke, improves safety, enhances national energy resilience, absorbs wasted micro-hydro capacity, and supports Nepal's target of 15,000 e-cooking institutions by 2035.
+Off-grid community micro-hydropower plants (MHPs) in Baglung District—Chachalghat, Girindi Khola, and Nisikhola-II—faced severe operational decline and financial uncertainty following national grid expansion. Operating at under 35% capacity, their survival was threatened. Facilitated COMET workshops revealed that these plants produced substantial underutilized energy that could be monetized through grid interconnection rather than wasted. Transitioning required migrating informal user committees into formal cooperative business models to secure Viability Gap Funding via the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund (SECF) and municipal support. Strengthening institutional capacity, financial auditing, and grid safety protocols proved more challenging than technical upgrades. On November 17, 2025, the MHPs successfully connected to the national grid, selling electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and establishing a sustainable, revenue-generating enterprise model.
 Download in
@@ Line 181: / Line 174: @@
 '''Beyond user committees – Towards cooperative business models for MHPs in rural Nepal'''
+Moving beyond traditional community user committees, this factsheet advocates for transitioning MHPs into formal, cooperative business models. Operating as social cooperatives professionalizes management, enhances financial transparency, improves maintenance reliability, and enables communities to reinvest energy profits into local development projects. The document details institutional structures, capacity-building requirements, and policy changes necessary to foster sustainable, market-oriented energy management in rural areas.
 Download in
@@ Line 205: / Line 195: @@
 '''Slope stabilisation and flood prevention through bioengineering practices in mountain areas in Nepal'''
-This factsheet....
+Download in
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions-EN_2025.pdf|English]]
 * [[:File:WISIONS_Factsheet-Series_Nature-Based-Solutions_NEP_2025.pdf|Nepali]]
@@ Line 229: / Line 215: @@
 '''Strengthening value chains of non-timber forest products in Nepal – the example of Dhatelo oil'''
+Highlighting sustainable economic growth, this factsheet focuses on strengthening value chains for non-timber forest products (NTFPs), specifically Dhatelo oil in Nepal. It outlines processing techniques, quality improvements, market access strategies, and enterprise support for wild-harvested resources. By linking local collectors with commercial processors and higher-value markets, the initiative generates sustainable, equitable income for rural households while incentivizing biodiversity conservation and forest stewardship.
 Download in