Cross cultural technology transfer of sustainable energy systems: A critical analysis

This paper investigates the difficulties that have been encountered when non indigenous renewable energy technologies have been transferred to rural areas of industrialising countries. Specifically, it focuses on the cultural and organisational aspects of these technologies. Another dimension analysed is that of the interactions between the various stakeholders in the technology transfer process. There has been a lack of attention to these interactions, specifically a neglect to consult with the end users of the systems by the project implementers. The importance of addressing this fundamental deficiency cannot be over emphasised in the need to redress the performance of the transfer process. The lack of appropriate institutional support mechanisms and financial resources can work in synergism with this former factor. In conclusion, an assessment is made of the most appropriate technology transfer mechanisms for these systems, which are likely to expedite sustainable rates of dissemination to the intended benefactors. This assessment incorporates the earlier findings on the social and institutional barriers to successful transfers, and the mechanisms used by the various agents to perform the transfer, as these have a significant impact on the viability of the renewable energy systems.