Sustainability as a Characteristic of Renewable Energy Systems in Remote Himalayan Villages
Abstract
This work investigates sustainability as a characteristic of renewable energy systems with the goal of improving the rigor of how it is applied. This work is based upon 20 years of developing and deploying sustainable solutions to villages in the Nepal Himalayas and particular to the village of Moharigaun (near Jumla) since 2002. Sustainability has been used in at least four different ways when applied to renewable energy systems which are described and contrasted. In addition, sustainability is analyzed using a systems engineering approach so they are recognized as non-functional properties impacting stakeholder value. Stakeholders of these systems include users, system developers, various relevant government entities and investors. A set of more rigorous definitions are then given along with suggestions on how the definitions can be applied. The work concludes with suggestions for additional work on sustainability.