Global Webservice


The Global Energy Webservice Initiative

Problem identification
  • Generally energy information websites lack the expertise, freedom and resources to address the local needs and be kept updated properly.
Objectives
  • We stress the need for cheaper and homemade solutions, some of which are commercially not so interesting.
  • We cooperate with organizations, platforms and companies to improve energy solutions
  • We integrate energy with socio-economic, developmental and environmental issues, and make energy more lively and more close at hand. This is new and highly needed. At the same time we invite people to bring in their energy solutions. This can be a traditional local solution or a commercially available solution.
Internet is becoming more accessible at a global scale and ICT enables rural communities to enter the worldwide web. By offering an online interactive question and answer information service, we want to invite the people in rural areas to learn more about energy, environment and development, and how they are related to each other. We offer them specific solutions and help them to create new solutions as well.

At the same time we invite people to bring in their energy solutions. This can be a traditional local solution or a commercially available solution.

Of course what can be used in rural areas may be used in urban areas as well. However rural areas have less population density and tend to be more suitable for small-scale renewable energy solutions. Many people still lack access to energy, it is estimated to be about 1.9 billion people and most of them live in rural areas. Farmers are also large energy consumers, and potential energy producers, for example using their agricultural residues.

We consider solutions which can supply individuals, communities, or companies. The solutions can range from energy for one light bulb up to supplying a whole community with electricity or heat a capacity up to about 5 MW.

Examples are applications using biomass, solar and wind energy, hydropower, or use of fuel cells. Different energy forms can be created e.g.: electricity, briquettes, gas, biodiesel. To cover energy end use needs for heating, cooling, appliances, agricultural machines, transport, just to mention a few needs.


Multi-expert system

We have been collecting huge numbers of local and commercial solutions, from traditional to high-tech from various kinds of sources and keep doing that. Together with a partner we will put all this information in a database.

The webservice runs on the database and checks for several criteria through a complex model. For example we check what makes each solution more or less successful. Through an innovative multi-expert system with various optimisations, and innovative programming, it becomes available in the webservice. People can use the webservice directly or with an expert and search for their energy solution. The query takes place through an interactive list of questions, which changes according to the answer of the participant. At the same time the webservice invites the global community to submit their energy solutions. Again we check the solution through a complex model.

In the end of each search the webservice matches all the queries to existing energy solutions. Or in case no solution exists, it identifies a need which can then be communicated to companies, governments and R&D institutes. Energy is not a solution for development, but is a means and a critical factor. Likewise renewable energy is a means for sustainable development.


Special features

What is so special about it?
  • The webservice enables free objective information on a wide range of energy solutions.
  • It is based on the latest know-how in the energy and IT field and combines technology, socio-economic, environmental, infrastructural and developmental factors, which all need to be considered when choosing an energy solution.
  • It contributes to capacity building of rural people, their representative organizations and up to the governmental level.
  • It simplifies the complexity of small-scale energy market.
  • It provides a free first consultancy online through the question and answer service, this is unique.
  • It works as a “mouth to mouth” service between rural stakeholders
  • Our services will be provided through existing extension networks

Budget needed

For developing the webservice we rely on the expertise of very experienced IT specialists, database specialists and communication specialists. In addition we cooperate with networks of experts. For all positions we have candidates who have confirmed their interests and readiness to work.

We may also need translators and training personnel. The budget depends on various factors and outsourcing part of the work to a developing country is an option. However we stress the need for specialists: as good programming and structuring at the beginning will reduce the costs over time.

A first workable version of the webservice would need about 350.000 SFr.

To make a global webservice would require another 700.000SFr in the following year, and 700.000 SFr in the second year. After that the main budget is needed for running and maintaining the webservice and will be substantially lower (around 200 SFr / year).

The costs for developing the webservice, acquiring the hardware, and operating the systems are based on Swiss salaries and costs. We try to outsource part of the work to lower the labor costs, and also we aim to work with strategic partners.

So far we have generated and dedicated about CHF 40.000 of our own money and happily devoted lots of time and energy to develop and work on the Webservice Initiative. Also we have tested the concept and the criteria extensively by doing pilot projects. Again these projects were financed with our own money.


Users of the global webservice

The global rural population is about three billion, of whom many lack access to (reliable) energy. At the beginning they will mostly indirectly approach our services, through extension workers, energy experts, local governments and other intermediaries. It is expected that rural inhabitants will use our webservice themselves over time. We actively approach organizations to participate. At the same time these organization make our service accessible.

Therefore at the beginning our global webservice is expected to be mostly accessed by
  • International organizations
  • NGOs
  • Farmer cooperatives
  • Extension workers
  • Diplomats
  • Experts
  • Local governments
  • Innovation platforms
  • Health workers
  • Others
Final end users are:
  • Farmers
  • Nomads
  • Small entrepreneurs
How can it be accessed?

Using existing ICT infrastructure in place, for example through extension networks. We also plan to provide off-line versions, and the use of handheld, mobile phone, social networks, video networks and other applications will be used.


It sounds fantastic but does that really work?

We have a growing collection of energy solutions. Most of these solutions are not publicly known. Many come from our network of energy experts, or ‘an uncle’. We also have contacts in the energy business and research world. They all provide us with the ENERGY SOLUTIONS. Please go to Your Ideas if you have a solution you would like to share.

From experience we have learned that people in rural areas really know very little about their options. Increasingly there are more options for energy finance as well, for example through microcredit, CDM and carbon credits. This enhances the financial feasibility of energy projects.

We receive many requests for energy projects. There is a NEED for energy solutions. We are creating some test areas with partners to test and refine the criteria we have identified.

We are already cooperating with IICD, a NGO with an ICT network in eight African countries. We have a technical report from IT specialists who are in the Golden Jewel Energy IT Board. The report describes how the webservice can be developed. These experts have experience with similar projects, and are willing to explain all technical details at presentations. All though they are very busy, they have given a lot of their time without asking for anything.

The concept and criteria will be tested through a prototype for the webservice. This will be available very soon. We will run it in a public domain.


Webservice: Question & Answer for a farmer

Farmer: “O, again the diesel prices have gone up. Where I can get the diesel now, it costs me so much time and money to get the fuel. I ask the extension worker of my cooperative what to do?”

Nelly of the cooperative: I will check for you at the Golden Jewel Energy webservice. You come with me and together we can find a solution. They enter the internet and open the GJE webservice.

All questions represent standardized questions in the webservice, this is a simplified version

  • The webservice of GJE: Are you a farmer?
    • Farmer John: yes
  • GJE: Indicate where you live
    • John: Ghana, not far from Accra
  • GJE: what crops do you grow?
    • John: Pineapple, mango, coconut and papaya
  • GJE: please indicate how much of each crop you grow and Indicate if you are with partners in a cooperative
    • John indicates the quantity and confirms he is in a cooperative
  • GJE: what energy do you need?
    • John: I need diesel
  • GJE: what do you need it for?
    • John: transportation
  • GJE: do you have other energy needs?
    • John: yes in fact recently the electricity supply has become really bad in our area. We cannot run our fruit drying cabinets anymore.
  • GJE: please indicate the type of your fruit drying cabinet
    • John chooses an option
      • More questions follow…

At the end of the query the webservice provides an answer
  • GJE: we have the following solution for you
Biodiesel production from coconut oil which can be used for transportation but also for producing electricity. We propose to produce it together with other farmers. This saves you money, time and it saves the environment.
  • GJE: Are you interested?
    • John: yes, very much (he chooses option: more information)
  • GJE: please contact WADENERGY a cooperative in your area, they supply this type of solutions.

Please do contact us again if you need more help. We will save your query.
Thank you and good luck



Impacts of our webservice

  • Improving rural infrastructure
  • Improving access to energy
  • Poverty reduction
  • Sustainable development
  • Empowerment: in times of increasing energy shortage, the chances for rural people to become independent or even net energy suppliers to urban areas implies power to the local people
  • Capacity building of organizations concerning energy technology
  • Rural development in a more balanced way
  • Combating migration to the urban areas, by making the rural areas more attractive
  • Environmental awareness
  • Solidarity