Bringingaccesstomodernenergysourcestothepoorestinsocietyisakeygoalofmanypolicymakers,businesses
andcharities,butinorder tobea success projects and schemesmust be foundedonaccuratedata. We undertook
a survey of energy demand and usage patterns in households in unelectri
fi
ed villages in Uttar Pradesh, India to
assess access to and utilisation of energy sources for lighting and cooking. The times of usage were recorded
and analysed and the effect on usage patterns of transitioning from traditional to modern energy sources
is assessed. We quantify the cost and greenhouse gas emissions of current energy use in order to provide a
benchmark of potential mitigation through the use of renewable energy technologies: a typical household
with kerosene lamps only for lighting spends INR 3243 (US$50.67) and emits 381 kgCO
2eq
per year; households
withmoderncookingenergyspend17%morethroughincreasedusage,butemit28%lessgreenhousegasescom-
pared to those with traditional stoves only. Cell phone ownership was found to be 50% amongst adults. We use
demographic and utilisation data to construct an hourly demand pro
fi
le of basic electricity demand extrapolated
to each month of the year, and present an example of aspirational demand assess the impact of desirable appli-
ances. A Monte Carlo simulation is used to highlight the daily and seasonal variation in total energy and power
demand. A hybrid system, with solar power and battery storage meeting daytime demand and higher-capacity
diesel- or biomass-powered generation meeting the remainder during evening peaks and winter months,
would satisfy demand most effectively.