Browsing by Author "Van der Merwe, Stefani"
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- ItemSocio-technical experiments for sustainable energy technology innovation: a gendered perspective(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2023-03) Van der Merwe, Stefani; De Kock, Imke Hanlu; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Industrial Engineering.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In sub-Saharan Africa, energy poverty is not eradicated at a sufficient pace, therefore exacerbating energy insecurity. The impact of this restricted access to sustainable energy sources is more severe in vulnerable urban poor areas. Moreover, most households in these contexts suffer from a lack of any formal energy system to meet the (growing) urban population’s energy needs. Historically, many efforts have been made to counter energy insecurity. However, such efforts have largely ignored the (newfound) statistically significant correlation between gender and energy consumption patterns – specifically the correlation between the gender of the household head and the energy consumption of the home, and the role that gender plays in energy technology innovations. An alternative approach to energy innovations is therefore needed. This is especially relevant in the sub-Saharan African context, as most households are female-headed, but with decision-making responsibilities being mainly male-oriented. It is therefore imperative that energy technology innovations and solutions are co-designed and developed using a bottom-up approach, as social dynamics play a more important role than what may be perceived. This study views energy as a complex socio-technical system and thus argues that innovations at the gender–energy–technology nexus should be approached as multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary. Principles are borrowed from fields outside of engineering, such as social science, energy justice, socio-economics, gender studies and systems thinking. First, a systematic literature study is conducted to determine the state of the art (i.e. current state) of gendered energy technology innovations. This structured literature study employs the multivocal literature review approach as well as the PRISMA methodology. Gaps are identified and subsequently, a gap analysis literature study is conducted employing the methodology of a conceptual literature study. Next, the intended research product’s requirement specifications are stipulated to guide the structured process of solution development in this study. Applicable and appropriate theoretical constructs are also identified from the literature (e.g., the Energy Value Chain, Technology Development Processes, the Quadruple Helix Model, the energy justice framework, and Scaling Archetypes), informed by the guidance provided through the requirement specifications. A framework for Gendered Energy Technology Innovations (GETI framework) is then developed to facilitate and support the processes of designing, developing, and implementing gendered energy technology innovations (i.e. energy technologies that specifically have a gendered component). Additionally, the GETI framework is specifically developed to be used for socio-technical experimentation in urban poor environments in sub-Saharan Africa. The user of the GETI framework is identified as being a ‘knowledge intermediary’, i.e. a stakeholder that coordinates stakeholders from various spheres of society. The GETI framework is evaluated by: (i) Verification through semistructured subject-matter expert interviews; and (ii) Validation through case study application. Finally, recommendations for future work are provided and it is concluded that there are opportunities for using the GETI framework as a structured and systematic guide to be used for socio-technical experiments in urban poor environments in SSA.
- ItemThe state of the art of gendered energy innovations : a structured literature review(Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering, 2020-11-11) Van der Merwe, Stefani; De Kock, Imke; Musango, Josephine K.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impact of restricted access to sustainable energy is the worst in vulnerable urban poor areas, and so an alternative approach to energy innovations is needed. To explore the possibilities for energy innovations, gender needs to be taken into account. This is especially relevant in the sub-Saharan African context, as most households are female-headed. This paper aims to explore the current state of gendered energy innovations by using a multivocal approach; it thus focuses on the existing body of knowledge at the gender—energy interface. The study is conducted in two parts: first, ‘state of the art’ is conceptualised using a multilevel approach; second, a structured literature review on gendered energy innovations is conducted in light of the structured understanding of ‘state of the art’. There is definitely room for new innovations to use gender as a strategy for solving energy security problems in urban poor environments.