Clean, energy efficient burners for poor communities

Kerosene stoves and burners are a common sight in parts of India, but in additional to being carbon intensive, the storing and burning of kerosene can present a risk to children by poisoning or scalding them. Purchasing kerosene also puts an important strain on deprived families’ incomes.

A technology company based in Chennai is designing and manufacturing a range of products that addresse the cost and health concerns of fuel use. One of its designs is an energy efficient burner that can reduce household kerosene consumption by up to 40%. The company has also recently released a biomass stove for the local market, which uses any agricultural or plant waste e.g. straw, coconut husks etc. Both of these new technologies represent an important saving for low-income communities, allowing them to use the money for other priorities. The company is also developing a plant oil stove which they hope will eventually replace kerosene, once reliable supplies of plant oil are available.

The money the Low Carbon Enterprise Fund has decided to invest in this company has been used to hire a CEO and better organise its management. With the guidance of our consultants, it is also initiating a range of pipeline projects.