Dr Long Seng To

As part of the CESET project, I’m pleased to announce the publication of our latest paper, “How to build resilient community energy systems? Lessons from Malawi and Ethiopia”, as part of the Focus on Community Energy and Infrastructure Resilience in the journal Environmental Research: Infrastructre and Sustainablity. The study explores how community energy systems (CES) can strengthen resilience to natural hazards, climate risks, and socio-political disruptions by building different forms of community capital—social, human, economic, physical, and natural.

Drawing on case studies from three CES projects in Malawi and Ethiopia, the paper introduces the resilient community energy systems (R-CES) framework, which outlines seven key components for designing and implementing resilient, community-led energy systems. The framework offers practical guidance for developers, managers, and community leaders to build energy infrastructure that supports long-term resilience.

Read the full paper here.

I’m pleased to share a new publication, “clicSAND for OSeMOSYS: A User-Friendly Interface Using Open-Source Optimisation Software for Energy System Modelling Analysis,” as part of the Whole-Energy System Modeling special issue in the journal Energies.

This paper introduces clicSAND, an intuitive graphical interface designed to simplify the use of the Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS). ClicSAND enables users—especially those without extensive coding experience—to develop, solve, and analyze energy system models more efficiently. The tool is particularly valuable for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working in low- and middle-income countries, where accessible modelling tools are essential for informed energy planning.

We demonstrate clicSAND’s capabilities through a case study modeling South Africa’s energy system. The study highlights how clicSAND can facilitate scenario analysis and support strategic decision-making in energy transitions. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to make energy modelling more accessible and to support resilient, low-carbon development pathways.

Read the full paper here.

I am excited to share that my article, co-authored with Ellen Fungisai Chipango, on the need for a new approach to implementing renewable energy projects in Zimbabwe was published in the Conversation Africa. In this piece, we advocate for a sustainable development rooted in the communal ethic of African ubuntu as articulated by communities. It summarises the key messages from our journal article published in Geoforum entitled “When sustainable development competes with African Ubuntu: A case study”.

Read the article on the Conversation Africa here.

Read the corresponding journal article in Geoforum here.

I am thrilled to announce that my latest research article co-authored with Ellen Fungisai Chipango, titled “When sustainable development competes with African Ubuntu: A case study”, has been published in the journal Geoforum.

Drawing on a case study on sustainable energy in Zimbabwe, we explore the relationship between African Ubuntu and sustainable development. Here is the abstract:

Globally, one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) has gained currency as a lever for sustainability and a reference point for energy transition. That said, we know little about contested views of this goal. Thus, this paper explores competing views of experts versus communities. Further, we analyse alternative architectures of knowledge and practice that constitute different understandings of sustainable development. Drawing on qualitative research, it emerged that the elite (government authorities, NGOs and experts) are inclined to the hegemonic ‘Western’ and modernist view of sustainable development. On the other hand, communities contest this view arguing that sustainable development should be relational, context-dependent and shaped by their knowledge and culture. Insights into these differences are a launchpad for a new relational and forward-looking sustainable development agenda.

You can read the full paper here.

I’m pleased to share a new journal article on “The Quest for Resilient Sustainable Development and Low-Carbon Energy Transitions: Investigating the Challenges and Success Factors for Mini-Grids in Malawi” published in the journal Sustainability.

Renewable energy mini-grids offer a cost-effective solution for providing electricity to communities in developing countries, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Despite their potential, many mini-grids struggle to remain operational beyond their pilot phases.

This study identifies the key factors contributing to the success of mini-grids and provides insights to enhance their resilience. We created a database on the status of mini-grids in Malawi, analyzed two hydro mini-grid systems—Bondo and Chipopoma—and identified crucial success factors such as financial and technical resources, policies, community engagement, and institutional frameworks.

Read the full paper here.

I’m delighted to announce the publication of the Community Energy and Sustainable Energy Transitions (CESET) book edited by Vanesa Castán Broto. The book is a key outcome of the CESET project and captures experiences from Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique. I have very much enjoyed contributing to this collaborative, multi-institutional research partnership over the last few years. The book provides an overview of key issues in the delivery of community energy systems, connects current literature with cutting-edge critical debates that challenge thinking in community energy systems, and offers a suite of multi-scalar empirical examples in the East Africa context.

I contributed to a chapter on Community Energy and Community Resilience: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective. Here is the abstract:

This chapter explores the mutually interdependent relationship between community energy and community resilience. The resilience of Community Energy Systems (CES) depends on both the physical aspects of energy provision and the socio-economic and political aspects of the constitution of communities. At the same time, sustainable energy projects managed by communities build autonomy, control over resources, and community cohesion thus making communities themselves more resilient. This chapter offers an analytical framework to analyse resilience in CES and to increase their resilience during their conceptualisation, installation, operation, and upgradation. Resilience is seen here as dependent on communities’ social, economic, physical, and human capital. The framework shows that while some aspects of CES resilience can be addressed in the design of the energy system, their success depends on appropriate mechanisms for community involvement and governance.

The book is open access and free to read here.

I’m excited to share a new paper co-authored with colleagues from the Department of Geography and Environment at Loughborough University on “The IPCC reports and HE Geography: opportunities lost and found” published in the Journal of Geography in Higher Education.

The paper discusses current practices and opportunities for using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports to enhance learning and teaching in higher education Geography.

Read the full paper here.

I’m thrilled to share a new paper on “Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity,” published in the International Journal of Energy Sector Management.

Based on a case study of Bondo community, situated in the proximity of the biodiverse Mulanji Mountain in Malawi, this paper explores the intricate relationships between a community energy system, water resources and biodiversity conservation. The findings underscore the importance of a balanced approach to resource use and conservation, offering valuable insights on community energy resilience.

Read the full paper here.

It was an honour to mentor the BJTU+ Team from Beijing Jiaotong University in the Solar Decathalon China 2021 student competition. The interdisciplinary team designed and built a modular emergency shelter prototype, entitled Bag Box Building Cloud (BBBC). This paper describes how sustainable and energy-resilient strategies were integrated into the design process using the Quantifying Sustainability in the Aftermath of Natural Disasters (QSAND) tool. This is the first project to use QSAND at the design stage (rather than evaluation) and the outcome was a highly innovative solar-powered emergency shelter that is reusable, versatile, safe, affordable, and energy-efficient. I am incredibly proud of the BJTU+ Team!

Read the full journal article here.

Learn more about the BJTU+ team entry for the Solar Decathalon China here.

In 2022, we published a set of Starter Data Kits of publicly available energy data for selected countries in Africa, East Asia and South America for use with energy system modelling tools such as the Open Source Energy Modeling System (OSeMOSYS). This paper published in MethodsX is a step-by-step guide to creating a new Starter Data Kit for other countries. The Starter Data kit can then be used to create a simple zero-order energy system model, which can act as a starting point for further model development and scenario analysis. This is especially helpful for energy planners and modellers.

Read the paper here.

Energy for cooking is essential to address energy poverty, food security & boost community resilience. I was really delighted to contribute to this important position paper with the UN World Food Programme and the Modern Energy Cooking Services Programme that sets out how clean and modern energy can help achieve these goals and pave way to sustainable development.

Read the position paper here.

What role can community energy systems play in the energy transition in East and Southern Africa? Find out in our new paper from the CESET Project published in Energy, Sustainability and Society.

Read the full paper here.

A great new resource for energy planners and modellers!

This paper brings together energy data for countries in Africa, East Asia and South America. The publicly available data that can be used to create a simple zero-order energy system model, which can act as a starting point for further model development and scenario analysis. The paper includes an example for how the data can be used to create a simple energy system model for Kenya using the Open Source Energy Modeling System (OSeMOSYS) and three stylized scenarios (Fossil Future, Least Cost and Net Zero by 2050) for 2020–2050.

Read the paper and access the data here.