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(PISCES) Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security


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    PISCES Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security is a five year initiative funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DfID). PISCES is working in partnership with Kenya, India, Sri Lanka and Tanzania to provide policy makers with new information and approaches that they can apply to unlock the potential of bioenergy to improve energy access and livelihoods in poor communities.

    This new knowledge can also contribute to current global debate on whether and how humanity should find more of our energy from bioenergy sources, and how that pathway might assist the poor and the environment while also addressing the impacts of climate change through mitigation and adaptation efforts.

    2007 saw the start of this new 5-year research programme on energy called PISCES. The Inception workshop in Nairobi 26-29th September was attended by governments, donors, International Organisations, NGOs, companies and universities. Participation in initial consultations has come from across the regions of focus in Kenya, Tanzania, South India and Sri Lanka.

    PISCES stands for Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security. Its objective is to produce policy-relevant information and approaches that can be applied by governments in developing the role of bioenergy in delivering energy access for the poor. It is the focus of PISCES on bioenergy – incorporating biomass from natural sources, biowaste streams from agriculture and industry, and biofuels from purpose grown energy crops – which has resonated with an increasingly polarised international debate. That debate centres on whether and how humanity should find more of our energy from bioenergy sources, and how that pathway might affect the poor and the environment.

    Currently 2.5 billion people still rely on traditional biomass for basic energy services (IEA data). Meanwhile there is exploding global interest and activity in the growing of energy crops for the production of biofuels. While increased cultivation of energy crops could provide increased energy access for the poor, without appropriate policies in place it could easily pass them by or even damage their livelihoods. At the macro-level bioenergy has the potential to increase global energy supplies without increasing carbon emissions. At the local level it could absorb vital water supplies and fertile land needed to cultivate food.

    It is against this backdrop of unprecedented global interest in bioenergy that PISCES will integrate research on water, food, energy and environmental security, with a focus on the role of bioenergy in increasing energy access and security of livelihoods for the poor without degrading the climate and environment. The new and existing technologies, including plant varieties, processes, appliances and practices, that are required if bioenergy is to power sustainable development will be analysed, developed and tested. The circular and dynamic relationships between the climate and environment, and bioenergy production and consumption, will be investigated and evaluated. Socio-economic studies and market analysis will aim to determine the types of structures, incentives and regulations that can create and sustain access and delivery of bioenergy to poor people. A networked centre of expertise bringing together experts and policymakers will be developed to bring these and other strands of research together and, crucially, into use.

    [top] [end]PISCES Themes

    [top] [end]TECHNOLOGY

    Research Theme 1 aims at understanding which technologies are required if bioenergy is to power rural social and economic development without negatively impacting food and water security. The objective of this research is not to select actual technologies, but to provide policy makers with a framework for assessing existing and prospective technology options.

    [top] [end]ACCESS & DELIVERY

    Research Theme 2 focuses on access and delivery and investigates how poor people’s access to bioenergy can be created and sustained alongside food and water access.

    [top] [end]CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

    PISCES project logo
    PISCES project logo
    Research Theme 3 focuses on climate and environment and looks at both how climate change is likely to affect bioenergy provision and how bioenergy can help reduce the greenhouse gases the cause climate change.

    [top] [end]CROSS CUTTING ISSUES

    There are strong synergies between the main themes which can be identified in the following cross-cutting themes:
    • Research into Use - Ensuring research translates into policies that in turn translate into improved access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and improved livelihoods.
    • South-South-North - Developing the mechanisms required to maximise the depth and impact of knowledge exchange and transfer between southern and northern partners.
    • Capacity Strengthening - For partners within the consortium, partner governments and the broader stakeholder community.
    • Equity - Ensuring that gender, age, race, and other factors are taken into account in policy recommendations
    The PISCES website is available here: www.pisces.or.ke

    For more information on the project please contact steven.hunt@...

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    Page created: 02 February 2008; Last edited: 09 October 2009; Version: 3
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    Pagename: PISCES @HEDON: TYHA