Abstract:
|
Introduction/Motivation: To date, global energy demand has been met through emissions-intensive fossil fuel-based energy resources. These emissions have led to radical and detrimental changes to the environment that have also caused geo-political disputes leading to violence and wars. As developed nations make strides towards decarbonizing their energy needs, developing countries are still in the process of bringing access to reliable and affordable energy to their citizens. Urbanization, settlement, and poaching is causing significant conflicts between humans and wildlife in African rural communities. There is a need to balance between the protection of wildlife habitats and migration corridors as well as to build sustainable settlements which can co-exist and benefit from wildlife resources. Thesis Objective: African Solar Designs is a Nairobi based engineering company that provides both technical and advisory services regarding energy access and community development. Within Kenya, ASD is working with Conservancies and tourism sites which collaborate with community-based movements dedicated to protecting wildlife areas and developing social amenities in these rural communities. The student will work to assess community energy needs in specific conservancies and to evaluate the potential of community/commercial collaborations which can solve energy access issues. He will survey local leaders, organization and commercial establishments to assess the specific energy needs in and around conservancy areas. The ultimate aim of the study is to develop an energy system which supports the community and fosters sustainability for the environment and wildlife around them. Three conservancies to be studied under the guidance of ASD include Olderikesi Wildlife Conservancy, Naboisho Wildlife Conservancy and Olkirimatian Conservancy, |