Improved stoves and household energy

Typical improved biomass stoves now available in poor communities thanks to Practical Action energy initiatives include:
Mud stoves such as the Lorena or Magan Chulha.
Ceramic stoves such as the Upesi or Anagi.
Metal stoves such as the Kenya Ceramic Jiko (KCJ).
In Sri Lanka and Kenya the introduction of improved stoves has been a great success.
Since 1991 about half a million 'Anagi' stoves have been produced and sold in Sri Lanka and more than 400 potters and installers trained in their construction and installation. It is estimated that future production will reach around 120,000 per year.
In Kenya Practical Action has been working closely with women's groups to produce, promote and install the 'Upesi' improved cooking stove. At present thirteen women's groups (approx. 200 people) in western Kenya make and sell around 11,000 Upesi stoves a year. As a result of their labours the women have gained status, self-confidence and financial independence.
In Bangladesh Practical Action is running training courses to show people how to build improved energy efficient stoves using local materials. These stoves consume less than half the fuel compared to a traditional open fire. A key element of the programme is to show people how to set up a micro enterprise to make stoves for others in the community, and thus ensure that more stoves are built after the training courses have finished. Our partner in this work is Climate Care.
In Sudan, improved stoves were originally developed at Wau Nour, a camp for displaced and marginalised people, on the outskirts of Kassala, Sudan, as part of a project to reduce indoor air pollution due to cooking. These stoves are now being used in camps in Darfur, where their efficiency reduces the amount of firewood needed, which in turn reduces women's vulnerability when collecting fuel.