6 January 2010
As part of its carbon finance activities, HED Consulting has been awarded a contract by US-based C-Quest Capital LLC 
to undertake a due diligence assessment for a stove programme in Africa. It involves assessing the market and biomass sources, and testing the performance of the stoves in-situ.
14 December 2009
An outline proposal has been shared with a range of potential funders, publishers and users. Please take a look and let us know what you think.
10 November 2009
Commercial approaches have much to offer stove projects. These involve identifying and engaging markets, and ensuring that your product is designed, priced and pitched appropriately. In other words - applying a marketing approach.
A breakout-group consultation at the PCIA Uganda forum in March identified a demand for a stove marketing resource. The purpose would be to provide a practical guide to marketing for organisations looking to build successful markets for improved cook stoves in developing countries. It would focus on:
- the marketing environment;
- how to undertake a market assessment;
- product positioning and location;
- pricing; and,
- principles of promotion.
Many marketing resources are available, though few are geared towards low-value goods in low-income countries. Jonathan Rouse recently published a handbook on marketing compost (see Publications). This could be adapted for stoves, as promoting compost and stoves is quite similar; often both are low-cost, under-valued products with great environmental and human benefits. HED Consulting, with the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA), is exploring how to take this forward.
Get in touch to comment or contribute.
12 October 2009
Many excellent resources are available to household energy practitioners in the field, including on technical aspects, implementation and monitoring. However, there is no substitute for tailored advice from experts.
A household energy technical enquiries service could provide support to southern partners on topics including how to:
- improve the design of a fuel-efficient cooking stove;
- design a monitoring and evaluation strategy;
- measure impact on indoor air pollution;
- choose a stove for a refugee situation;
- access carbon finance for your project.
HED Consulting is presently exploring the need for this service, and how it could best be delivered. Ideally, qualifying organisations and individuals would access up to one day of an expert's time, for free. The cost would be covered by a third-party funder.
Is there a demand for this service? How could it be funded? Could it fit in with any existing services or networks? Contact Jonathan Rouse if you are a potential user, contributor or funder of this service.
9 July 2009
The World Health Organisation Catalogue of Methods was published a year ago, consolidating tools and methods for evaluating household energy & health programs from around the world. This was intended to be a dynamic resource, accounting for new and amended tools. How could this best be achieved? A revised printed version? An online wiki?
Get in touch to have your say.