Photovoltaic pumps for sustainable water access
Interdisciplinary approach
A problem often affecting poor communities in developing countries is when lack of safe drinking water coexists with inadequate energy access. While technical solutions are available and implemented, achieving appropriate long term pumping solutions is complex and difficult. This seminar thus discusses the systematic and practical approach to develop well-established solar photovoltaic water pumping technology for sustainable safe water access in difficult geographical, social, and environmental contexts. It argues that addressing such challenges requires to draw on several disciplines and their methods. Original research and data on Burkina Faso, Sub-Saharan Africa, will be presented, as published in the 2024 book Photovoltaic Pumping Systems for Domestic Sustainable Water Access in Off-Grid Areas. The presentation highlights SEF students’ MSc theses associated with this theme and work.
Speakers
Dr Judith Alazraque Cherni is an honorary senior research fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College, and a Fellow of the UK Royal Geographical Society. She has over 20 years of combined experience in interdisciplinary research, lecturing and post-graduate supervision. She has published amply on renewable energy, water demand and access, international development, modelling, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods. As a roster member of the UK Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transformation, she provides expert advice on energy transition to governments. She is recipient of various prizes and honours for her contribution to scientific innovation, visibility, and socio-economic impact.
Simon Meunier received his MSc degree in Sustainable Energy from Imperial College London (UK) in 2016 and his PhD in energy systems from University of Paris-Saclay (France) in 2019. He is currently an Assistant Professor at CentraleSupélec, University of Paris-Saclay, GeePs laboratory. His research focuses on the optimal design of energy systems, with a particular emphasis on photovoltaic pumps to enhance water access in low-income areas. To date, he has co-authored 20 journal articles and a book, and he collaborates extensively with various stakeholders involved in improving water access.
About Energy Futures Lab
Energy Futures Lab is one of seven Global Institutes at Imperial College London. The institute was established to address global energy challenges by identifying and leading new opportunities to serve industry, government and society at large through high quality research, evidence and advocacy for positive change. The institute aims to promote energy innovation and advance systemic solutions for a sustainable energy future by bringing together the science, engineering and policy expertise at Imperial and fostering collaboration with a wide variety of external partners.