University of California, Berkeley - Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL)

Mission

The Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, RAEL, is an interdisciplinary research unit of the University of California, Berkeley, with projects in a number of energy and development areas. We have long-term projects on biomass stoves, solar photovoltiacs, water quality technologies, and biomass energy management.

Organization Type Academia

Contact Information

This information has been removed as it is likely no longer accurate

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

Kenya - solar energy, biomass energy, charcoal management; India - social networks/energy project, wind industry development; Mexico - improved cookstoves, community forestry; Tanzania -urban energy research; Thailand - national energy policy.

Fuels/Technologies: Biomass
Solar
Wind
Sectors of Experience: Energy
Environment
Health
Renewable Energy
Rural Development
Countries of Operation: Mexico
Brazil
Kenya
Thailand

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

Researchers in RAEL have published widely on the social and cultural issues surrounding traditional fuels, and the transitions to alternate fuels. These reports can be found at: http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~rael/papers.html


Market development for improved cooking technologies:

We have been particularly interested in the opportunities to support the development of new, cleaner, energy usage, both at a technological level, and through new management practices. Much of our work to date has taken place in east Africa.


Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

RAEL has been involved in a number of efforts to provide design advice, and informal 'certification' of superior performing energy technologies, and would be interested to do additional work with partner groups on these issues.


Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

From 1993 - 1999 we conducted an exposure-response study of a commuity of 500 people in rural Kenya, deriving dose-response relationships for ARI and ALRI. The papers resutling from this project can be found online at: http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~rael/papers.html

Relevant Publications or Studies

None noted

Our Contribution to the Partnership

RAEL would be delighted to particiapte in all aspects of the Partnership. Faculty and students in RAEL have specific skills in stove design, biomass resource assessment and management, epidemiology, risk assessment, and environmental policy.