Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
TN0354-10408 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for TN0354
Academic year 2024/2025
Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries (TN0354-10293)
2024-09-02 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2022/2023
Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries (TN0354-10210)
2022-08-29 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries (TN0354-10221)
2021-08-30 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2020/2021
Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries (TN0354-10253)
2020-08-31 - 2021-01-17
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
TN0354 Sustainable technologies for low- and medium income countries, 7.5 Credits
Hållbar teknik för låg- och medelinkomstländerSubjects
Technology Environmental Science Technology Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
- Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits in Technology/Technique and/or Natural science- Knowledge equivalent to English 6 from Swedish Upper Secondary School
Objectives
The objective of the course is to provide knowledge and understanding of technologies for sustainable development and utilisation of renewable resources in low- and medium-income countries. The course focuses on production and processing of food and renewable energy. In particular, the course intends to prepare the students for working with technology transfer and development, e.g. in the context of exchange programs, field studies and consultancy.
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
identify socio-economic aspects of sustainable development in the context of low- and medium income countries;
analyse flows of nutrient, water or energy resources in small-scale rural and urban contexts of low- and medium income countries, and
propose methods for assessment and development of solutions for improved resource efficiency with an emphasis on the food system and required nutrient, water or energy resources.
Content
The course has a student-centered and participatory learning approach, based on case studies and group work to stimulate independent studies. The content covers general aspects of sustainable development and specific subject topics related to food, nutrient, water or energy resources.
General aspects of sustainable development in low- and medium income countries:
Participatory research and methods for resource management,
Socio-economic aspects of sustainable development, including resilience and gender
Development of farming systems, technology transfer and mechanisation
Specific subject topics related to food, nutrient, water and energy resources:
Small-scale renewable energy technologies
Renewable energy including wood fuel, charcoal, biogas, solar energy,
Draught animals as source of power for e.g. transport, soil preparation, processing, irrigation
Small-scale technologies for productive waste and wastewater management
Safe sanitation systems, including collection, transport and treatment
Nutrient and water recycling, including e.g. dry urine, insect production or vermicomposting
Small-scale transport technologies, logistics and value chain management
Low-carbon and Intermediate Means of Transport (IMT)
Post-harvest technologies
Rural logistics management
Small-scale technologies for water management
Technologies for clean water supply and distribution
Integrated approaches for water management and renewable energy
The course is scheduled for a limited number of seminars. These seminars are student-driven, organised in a flipped-classroom approach and treat specific themes; either the general aspects of sustainable development in low- and medium income countries, or the specific subject topics related to the resource flows. In the introduction, a case (e.g. a village) is presented and challenges and research questions identified in relation to the food system and nutrient, water and energy resource flows. In a project assignment, the students work in groups, focusing on different aspects of the case. First, theory and project plans are developed, presented and discussed in a seminar. Thereafter, the project work is implemented and presented. In the final stage of the course, mixed groups are formed to synthesise integrated solutions with a holistic approach of the aspects covered by the different groups.
Participation in the introduction, seminars and presentations is compulsory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
The examination includes seminars, oral and written presentation of project assignment
Requirements for approved course include
Approved oral and written presentation of project assignment
Approved participation in seminars
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Energy and Technology
Further information
Litterature list
Introduction to sustainable development in low- and medium income countries
o Mihelcic, J. R., Fry, L. M., Myre, E. A., Phillips, L. D., & Barkdoll, B. D. (2009, September). Field guide to environmental engineering for development workers: Water, sanitation, and indoor air. American Society of Civil Engineers.
Sustainable Development and participatory research
o Keahey, J. (2021). Sustainable development and participatory action research: a systematic review. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 34(3), 291-306.
Sustainable development and appropriate technologies
o Robert, K. W., Parris, T. M., & Leiserowitz, A. A. (2005). What is Sustainable Development? Goals, Indicators, Values, and Practice. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 47(3), 8–21. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.2005.10524444
o Kuhlman, T., & Farrington, J. (2010). What is Sustainability? Sustainability, 2(11), 3436–3448. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su2113436
o Patnaik, J., & Bhowmick, B. (2018). Appropriate Technology: Revisiting the Movement in Developing Countries for Sustainability. International Journal of Urban and Civil Engineering, 12(3), 308–312.
o Lohri, C. R., Rajabu, H. M., Sweeney, D. J., & Zurbrügg, C. (2016). Char fuel production in developing countries – A review of urban biowaste carbonization. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 59, 1514–1530. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.088
o Pages 8-10 from: Zabaleta, I., Bulant, N., Pfyffer, B., Rohr, M., Ivumbi, E., Mwamlima, P., Rajabu, H., & Zurbrügg, C. (2018). Pyrolysis of Biowaste in Low and Middle Income Settings. A Step-by-Step Manual. External: https://www.eawag.ch/fileadmin/Domain1/Abteilungen/sandec/publikationen/SWM/Carbonization_of_Urban_Bio-waste/slow_pyrolysis_manual.pdf
Small-scale transport technologies, logistics and value chain management
Post-harvest technologies (PHT) and value chain
o Hall, D. W., & Food and Agriculture Organization. (1970). Handling and storage of food grains in tropical and subtropical areas. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:
Chapter 3: Losses of stored food
Chapter 4: Factors affecting food value and deterioration
Chapter 6: Drying methods
Draught animal power as source of energy
o Gebresenbet, G., Gibbon, D., Astatke, A. (1997). Draught Animal Power: Lessons from past research and development activities in Ethiopia and indicators for future needs. IRDC Currents,13/14, 1997, Wikstroms, Uppsala.
o O'Neill, D.H., & kemp, D.C. (1989). A comparison of work outputs of draught oxen. Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research, 43, 33-44. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-8634(89)80004-6
o Lawrence, P. R. & Pearson, R. A. (1989). Measurement of Energy Expenditure in Working Animals: Methods for Different Conditions. Draught animals in rural development, 155-165. External: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/134382/files/PR027.pdf#page=153
Sustainable resource management: water, wastewater and solid waste
Water resource management
o Chandra S.P. Ojha, Rao Y. Surampalli, Andres Bardossy, Tian C. Zhang, Chih-Ming Kao (2017). Sustainable Water Resources Management. American Society of Civil Engineers; ISBN: 9780784414767.
o Hanamant M. Halli, Veeresh Hatti, Gaurendra Gupta, M Raghavendra, Mahendra Prasad Meena, Raghavendra Gouda (2022). Chapter 7 - Scientific approaches for water resources management in developing countries, Editor(s): Arun Lal Srivastav, Sughosh Madhav, Abhishek Kumar Bhardwaj, Eugenia Valsami-Jones, Current Directions in Water Scarcity Research, Elsevier, 6:129-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91838-1.00017-8
Waste management
o World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (1996). Municipal solid waste management in middle- and lower-income countries : report. Copenhagen : WHO Regional Office for Europe. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/108115
o Mor, S., & Ravindra, K. (2023). Municipal solid waste landfills in lower-and middle-income countries: environmental impacts, challenges and sustainable management practices. Process Safety and Environmental Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2023.04.014
o Massoud M, Lameh G, Bardus M, Alameddine I. Determinants of Waste Management Practices and Willingness to Pay for Improving Waste Services in a Low-Middle Income Country. Environ Manage. 2021 Aug;68(2):198-209. doi: 10.1007/s00267-021-01472-z. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33912998.
o Kaza, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., Woerden, F. V., & Ionkova, K. (2018). What a waste 2.0: A global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. Overview. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. doi: https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1329-0
Wastewater management
o Tilley, E. (2014). Compendium of sanitation systems and technologies. Eawag. Full version available: https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/454
o Sasse, L. (1998). DEWATS: Decentralised wastewater treatment in developing countries. BORDA, Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association. External: https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/1933
Safe technologies for nutrient recycling
o Mcconville, J., Niwagaba, C., Nordin, A., Ahlström, M., Namboozo, V., and Kiffe, M. (2020). Guide to Sanitation Resource-Recovery Products & Technologies: a supplement to the Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. 1st Edition. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy and Technology, Uppsala, Sweden. External: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/21284/1/mcconville_j_et_al_210119.pdf
Small-scale renewable energy technologies
Wood fuel, charcoal, cook stoves
o Chesterman S, Neely C, Njenga M, & Kimaro A A. (2018). Sustainable woodfuel (charcoal and firewood) systems in coastal region in Tanzania. Stakeholder engagement in context analysis and planning using SHARED methodology. External: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/B17978.pdf
o Njenga M, Sundberg C, Gitau J K, Mahmoud Y, Röing De Nowina K, Mendum R, & Karltun E. (2020). Biochar stoves for socio-ecological resilience: Lessons from small-scale farms in rural Kenya. World Agroforestry. External: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/PB20040.pdf
o Sundberg, C., Karltun, E., Gitau, J. K., Kätterer, T., Kimutai, G. M., Mahmoud, Y., Njenga, M., Nyberg, G., Roing de Nowina, K., Roobroeck, D., & Sieber, P. (2020). Biochar from cookstoves reduces greenhouse gas emissions from smallholder farms in Africa. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 25(6), 953–967. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-020-09920-7
o https://cleancooking.org/clean-cooking-systems-strategy/current-challenges/ (7 detailed infographic pages)
Biogas
o Pager 8-13 from: Vögeli, Y., Lohri, C., Gallardo, A., Diener, S., & Zurbrügg, C. (2014). Anaerobic Digestion of Biowaste in Developing Countries—Practical Information and Case Studies. Doi: https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2663.1045
o Seadi, T. A., Rutz, D., Prassl, H., Köttner, M., Finsterwalder, T., Volk, S., & Janssen, R. (2008). Biogas Handbook. University of Southern Denmark. Esbjerg. External: https://www.lemvigbiogas.com/BiogasHandbook.pdf
o Rakotojaona, L. (2013). Domestic Biogas Development in Developing Countries. ENEA Consulting. External: http://www.enea-consulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Open-Ideas-Domestic-biogas-projects-in-developing-countries.pdf
o Khan, E. U., & Martin, A. R. (2016). Review of biogas digester technology in rural Bangladesh. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 62, 247–259. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.04.044
o Khan, E. U., Mainali, B., Martin, A., & Silveira, S. (2014). Techno-economic analysis of small scale biogas based polygeneration systems: Bangladesh case study. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 7, 68–78. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2014.03.004
o Khan, E. U., & Martin, A. R. (2015). Optimization of hybrid renewable energy polygeneration system with membrane distillation for rural households in Bangladesh. Energy, 93 , 1116–1127. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.09.109
Hydropower, solar, and wind energy
o Tan, D. and Seng, A. K. (2011). Handbook for Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. Energy Market Authority, Singapore VIII. ISBN: 978-981-08-4462-2. External: https://policy.asiapacificenergy.org/sites/default/files/Solar_Handbook_Apr2011.pdf
o Elie Bertrand Kengne Signe, Oumarou Hamandjoda, Jean Nganhou (2017). Methodology of Feasibility Studies of Micro-Hydro power plants in Cameroon: Case of the Micro-hydro of KEMKEN, Energy Procedia, 119:17-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.042.
o Nor F. Yah, Ahmed N. Oumer, Mat S. Idris (2017). Small scale hydro-power as a source of renewable energy in Malaysia: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 72:228-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.068.
o Siddharth Joshi, Meera Karamta, Bhavya Pandya (2022).Small scale wind & solar photovoltaic energy conversion system for DC microgrid applications, Materials Today: Proceedings, 62(13):7092-7097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.01.461.
o Tim Olsen and Robert Preus (2015). Small Wind Site Assessment Guidelines. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/63696.pdf
Food traceability
o Bosona, T., & Gebresenbet, G. (2013). Food traceability as an integral part of logistics management in food and agricultural supply chain. Food Control, 33(1), 32–48. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.02.004
o Badia-Melis, R., Mishra, P., & Ruiz-García, L. (2015). Food traceability: New trends and recent advances. A review. Food Control, 57, 393–401. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.05.005
System Analysis of communities in low income countries with emphasis on food, water and energy resources
o Mcconville, J., Niwagaba, C., Nordin, A., Ahlström, M., Namboozo, V., and Kiffe, M. (2020). Guide to Sanitation Resource-Recovery Products & Technologies: a supplement to the Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies. 1st Edition. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Energy and Technology, Uppsala, Sweden. Pages 7-11, overview of Cross-cutting issues (section X). External: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/21284/1/mcconville_j_et_al_210119.pdf
o Meadows, Donella H. (2009). Thinking in systems : a primer. London. Please read through the book excerpts with a particular focus on pages 11-58 and 187-195 (Appendix)