Difference between revisions of "Energy for Rural Health Centers"

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== Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center  ==
 
== Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center  ==
  
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#'''Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands<br>'''Identify current energy needs and applications, e.g. for lighting, refrigeration, communication, etc.
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#'''Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands<br>'''Identify current energy needs and applications, e.g. for lighting, refrigeration, communication, etc.  
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#'''Account for Near-Term Change'''<br>Determine whether energy demands will change in the near-term.
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#'''Account for Near-Term Change'''<br>Determine whether energy demands will change in the near-term.  
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#'''Establish Target Energy Consumption in kWh/day<br>'''Use tools such as the USAID [http://tools.poweringhealth.org/ Health Clinic Power System Design Tool <span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1277282880359_113" />](4 - Electric Load Inputs) or the [http://www.poweringhealth.org/tools/audit.shtml Energy Audit Spreadsheet] (Worksheet 7 - Future Electric Applications) to calculate the future electric energy consumption in kWh/day.<br>
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#'''Establish Target Energy Consumption in kWh/day<br>'''Use tools such as the USAID [http://tools.poweringhealth.org/ Health Clinic Power System Design Tool] (4 - Electric Load Inputs) or the [http://www.poweringhealth.org/tools/audit.shtml Energy Audit Spreadsheet] (Worksheet 7 - Future Electric Applications) to calculate the future electric energy consumption in kWh/day.<br>
  
 
== Defining Energy Needs  ==
 
== Defining Energy Needs  ==

Revision as of 08:49, 23 June 2010

Introduction

Health professionals in rural clinics must address unexpected challenges on a daily basis. Poor infrastructure can delay the delivery of critical medical supplies, and inclement weather can make it difficult for patients to access the clinic. An unreliable energy source adds to these challenges. If the cold chain is inoperable when supplies arrive, vaccines, blood, and other medicines may go to waste. If a clinic is without lights, patients arriving at night must wait until morning to receive care. Selecting an appropriate source of reliable and sustainable energy as well as introducing measures for efficient energy consumption can help mitigate some of the challenges inherent in operating a health facility in the developing world. This article will provide an overview on options for the improvement of the energy situation in rural health facilities.
Most of the information related to electricity supply for health centers is based on the excellent USAID publication "Powering Health"[1].

Electricity Supply

Stepwise Approach to Electrifying a Health Center

  1. Identify the Health Center's Current Energy Demands
    Identify current energy needs and applications, e.g. for lighting, refrigeration, communication, etc.
  2. Account for Near-Term Change
    Determine whether energy demands will change in the near-term.
  3. Establish Target Energy Consumption in kWh/day
    Use tools such as the USAID Health Clinic Power System Design Tool (4 - Electric Load Inputs) or the Energy Audit Spreadsheet (Worksheet 7 - Future Electric Applications) to calculate the future electric energy consumption in kWh/day.

Defining Energy Needs

Power Generation Options

System Sustainability

Improved Cooking

Further Reading 

Powering Health: Electrification Options for Developing Country Health Facilities - USAID website covering all major issues on electricity supply for rural health centers. Several country case studies available. Offers tools for energy audits and load calculation. Highly recommandable!

USAID: Powering Health: Electrification Options for Rural Health Centers - Step-by-step guide on energy needs, power generation options, and sustainability issues for rural health centers. Case studies from Botswana and Uganda.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA) (1998): Renewable Energy for Rural Health Clinics -  Publication on energy issues of rural health clinics: energy applications, electrical system components, system selection and economics, institutional considerations. Also provides case studies and lessons learned.

GTZ (1996): Energy Supply for Health Care Facilities in Developing Countries - GTZ publication on energy sources, energy requirements and energy management for rural health centers.

Practical Action: Solar PV Refrigeration of Vaccines - Technical Background of solar refrigeration

References

  1. ↑ USAID: Powering Health. Internet: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADJ557.pdf
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