One of the many challenges humanity faces is developing energy access in a sustainable manner, that does not further contribute to the burning of fossil fuels, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming. In 2020, 2.4 billion people used inefficient and polluting cooking systems due to lack of energy access while 25% of schools lacked access to electricity, drinking water and basic sanitation. This thesis seeks to investigate this challenge by using satellite imagery big data to improve energy access in a sustainable manner.The theoretical framework explains the key concepts and outlines the theoretical underpinnings of this research in transformative social innovation theory and behavioural theory which help guide the analysis. The link between this research and existing research is also explained in this section. The methodology used will be to research review articles and choose the most appropriate and credible texts to answer two research questions. The first challenge relates to identifying promising applications of satellite imagery big data in improving energy access, and the second relates to explaining how we can ensure that development of energy access from satellite imagery is conducted in a sustainable manner.The primary findings of this research are that there are a number of credible review articles which contain real opportunities for improved energy access and include identifying optimum photovoltaics investment locations, identifying optimum small hydropower plant sites, CAM plant cultivation locations, an indicator to directly address sustainable energy investments and rural electricity access needs, and mapping of remote off-grid homes for improvement of energy access. The findings also indicated three key factors that are crucial for the sustainable development of energy access which include communication, collaboration, and community.There are a number of varied applications of satellite imagery big data discovered that each exhibit significant value in improving energy access. The value that can be gained is closely related to the ability of the research community, to engage with local actors, to build a collaborative environment, where knowledge is shared, and community is built.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:mau-62773 |
| Date | January 2023 |
| Creators | O'Mahony, Patrick |
| Publisher | Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för kultur och samhälle (KS) |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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