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Decentralisation of energy in Malta. An Advocacy Plan. How it started:. No initial intention of choosing the assignment. Interest was aroused when searching the internet and stumbled in a particular website. Steps required:. Gathering information:
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Decentralisation of energy in Malta. An Advocacy Plan
How it started: • No initial intention of choosing the assignment. • Interest was aroused when searching the internet and stumbled in a particular website.
Steps required: • Gathering information: (What is decentralised energy? What are the benefits? Can it really be a solution?) • Applying it to local context: (Can decentralised energy be applied in a local context? What opposition/help could be met in its implementation? What structural changes would be needed for its introduction?) • Formulate an advocacy plan: (What steps do I need to take to get the message across? Who can help me with this? How will I convince people about it?)
Decentralised Energy: “electricity production at or near the point of use, irrespective of size, technology or fuel used – both off-grid and on-grid”. “Centralized renewables are a move in the right directionbut decentralized renewables are the destination”. World Alliance for Decentralised Energy
A revolutionary concept: Combined Heat and Power (CHP) • Also known as cogeneration. • Makes additional use of waste heat produced when fuel is burnt to produce electricity. • Waste heat can be used to heat space/water. • Waste heat can be used in conjunction with an absorption chiller for cooling or refrigeration. • Can use a variety of fuels (gas-coal-methane-wood chips).
Applying to local context: • 18 strategically located distribution centres • 1075 indoor substations for domestic use
Applying to local context: • Use current infrastructure by converting these Distribution Centres and sub-stations for energy production on a localised level. • These are to act as the heart of the energy centre producing combined electricity and thermal useful energy from CHP generators using renewable fuels. • These can be used to provide base load to meet electrical demands of three to four surrounding villages or towns. • Electricity demand is to be supplemented from micro-generation technologies such as PV panels and wind turbines placed on public buildings, private roofs and open spaces, not excluding other forms of energy from waste, biogas from sewage, waves and fuel cells where possible. • This should be backed with reducing energy consumption strategies like installation of solar water heaters, energy efficient buildings, use of energy efficient bulbs and appliances.
Mission Statement: ‘We strive towards achieving the democratisation and decentralisation of energy generation and distribution based on renewable sources of energy that is owned by residents and businesses within the locality in order to stimulate social equity and green economic growth whilst taking care of the environment and enhancing the quality of life of Maltese citizens.’
Budgeting Human Resources
Targets and Agents of Change
Learning : • Gathering information: • Applying it to local context: • Formulate an advocacy plan: Kicked off the thinking process Driven by the feeling process Enabled the action process
Issues: • In the original assignment the discussion on issues underlying power generation in Malta was dealt with in paragraphs. • However formulating a concept map for the purpose of this presentation has helped in outlining better the inter-connectedness of these problems.
Thinking Tools: Reflecting back and given the nature of the assignment I realised that I used the following thinking tools: Consider all factors (CAF): Developing a successful advocacy plan required considering all factors related to the introduction of DE.
Thinking Tools: Other People’s Views (OPV): It would have been unimaginable for the advocacy plan to take off if it did not consider taking the views of the various stakeholders involved. These stakeholders would surely have different viewpoints depending on their own needs and interests. This was rendered more difficult given the hypothetical nature of the task. While the advocacy plan identifies the importance and allots space for meetings and discussions in order to reach a consensus, it does not outline in detail how this is to be reached.
Thinking Tools: Aims, goals and objectives (AGO): An effective advocacy plan should : • Aim to offer a positive and credible alternative. • Provide clear goals • Have specific and measurable objectives. Defining the aims, goals and objectives helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the task at hand through reasoning of decisions taken and formulation of the action plan.
Thinking Tools: The use of CoRT tools (without ever having heard of them before) in such a case might be associated to coincidence, nature of the task assigned, common sense, convenience association, unconscious prior exposure etc. Awareness of their existence added to a more conscious rather than unconscious use of such tools could lead to: • making better and more disciplined use of these tools. • including more of the CoRT tools in the formulation of the advocacy plan to cater for certain aspects that might have been overlooked.
Final Considerations: The Assignment – Thinking Process: The advocacy plan provided an opportunity to explore other alternatives with regards to power generation through a critical reflection of the current situation. The Presentation – Thinking about the Thinking Process: Helped me appreciate not only the evolution of my previous believes into a new way of seeing things, but also made me appreciate how specifically prepared tasks can engage students in the thinking/learning process.
