Renewable Energy Resources for Better Economics and Sustainable Living in Rural and Desert Areas

Abstract: Reliable and affordable energy is the key for the socio-economic development in rural and desert communities worldwide. While energy can be used for consumption purposes such as Lighting, Access to Information, Comfort and Entertainment, productive use of renewable energy is the key enabler for SMEs and Economy to grow. The paper examines the complex interactions among Energy, Materials, Water, Food, Building, Employment and Environment. It also discusses the implementation of renewable energy technologies to overcome some of barriers faced by rural villages and desert communities. It shows some of the special applications and approaches used over the past few decades in energy conversion, consumption and conservation to achieve poverty reduction, social justice and sustainable development. Field experiences in Basaisa projects, Egypt showed that open free dialogues with all stakeholders, site-specific education and training, appropriate local financing systems and access to knowledge are key-elements and essential factors for achieving green economy and sustainable community development. The coming decade will see a continued expansion of knowledge about renewable energy resources and its useful applications as systems friendly to the environment and as tools for economic activities, sustainable living and growth in rural and desert communities.

Key words: renewable energy resources; economics; sustainable living; development; rural and desert; communities; Basaisa; Egypt

JEL code: Q2