Cookstove Token Distribution: A TASC Case Study
Updated: Sep 1
PowerSolve Technologies, in collaboration with TASC, developed an automated token swap system that enables a seamless Token Distribution Method for improved cookstove projects.
This system addresses key challenges faced by cookstove project developers, including logistical inefficiencies, high distribution costs, and security risks in distributing clean cooking devices. The innovation paves the way for a smoother, more scalable approach to distribution and improved access to improved cooking technologies.
Cookstove Distribution Challenges
It can take a project developer several weeks to distribute improved cookstoves (ICS) across project areas. Typically, field workers deliver the ICS directly to the doorsteps of households participating in the project. The cookstove beneficiary and household are then registered for the project. Digital surveys capture accurate GPS information, along with other project-essential beneficiary and household details.
A case study from TASC highlights the challenges of this distribution method, especially in more remote areas. During some of their cookstove projects in Africa, TASC encountered significant challenges when distributing improved biomass stoves, including:
Rugged terrain and poor roads:
In many cases, vehicular access is completely restricted. This meant distribution teams had to walk long distances on foot, carrying four cookstoves per trip. Extreme weather exacerbated this challenge, imposing seasonal constraints on distribution plans.
Security risks:
In certain areas, cookstoves were stolen from unattended trucks, requiring someone to stay behind with the vehicle. In some instances, distribution teams were even robbed.
Long, arduous journeys on foot, combined with unexpected accidents, delays, or even exhaustion, negatively affected the distribution process. This resulted in missed distribution targets and significant frustration.
In order to resolve this, TASC engaged PowerSolve Technologies to develop an automated token swap system that would enable Token Distribution and mitigate these challenges.
How the Token Distribution Method Works | A Case Study of Waterberg South Africa
Step 1: Sensitisation Meeting
The process begins with a communal sensitisation meeting held in each village, organised in collaboration with the village leaders and the project developer.
During this meeting, the community is informed about the benefits, timing, and details of the upcoming improved cookstove distribution process.
Step 2: Cookstove Token Distribution and Data Collection
Soon after the meeting, field workers visit each household. For those interested in receiving a cookstove, a unique barcoded token form is issued.
The field worker, alongside the beneficiary, completes a digital survey that captures all necessary recipient information, including the token ID, personal ID number, GPS location, and beneficiary data. This information is then synced with the PowerSolve platform.
Step 3: Village Celebration and Cookstove Distribution
A few days after tokens are distributed in an area, a village celebration brings together all token recipients. The event fosters shared learning, with collaborative cooking demonstrations using the improved cookstoves. The celebration offers an opportunity to build trust between community members and the project implementers, and improve community buy-in to the project.
At the end of the celebration, each recipient exchanges their token for a cookstove. The field workers capture the unique token barcodes and cookstove barcodes using a digital survey form, which is also synched with the PowerSolve platform.
Step 4: Final Record Creation and Verification
The PowerSolve platform matches the unique token barcode and unique cookstove barcode to create a complete distribution record. This includes the recipient’s details, the original unique token barcode and the final unique cookstove serial number.
The recipient’s ID and photos can be reviewed on the PowerSolve platform to ensure the correct token holders received their cookstoves. This also provides a final opportunity to review and sign off on the distribution questionnaire data.
Addressing Challenges with Innovative Solutions
The Token Distribution Method has enabled each distributor at TASC to increase their daily distributions from 30 households to between 40 and 60 households per day, even in challenging environments.
This improvement in efficiency has also led to substantial cost savings. By optimising distribution logistics, TASC has cut fuel and accommodation costs by nearly 50%. The changes not only lower operational costs but also improve working conditions for distribution teams, making their roles less demanding and more productive.
“The success of the Token Distribution Method owes much to its integration with PowerSolve Technologies, which has transformed data management and tracking throughout the project life cycle," says Malcolm Stewart, TASC Africa CFO.
"At one point, we noticed on the PowerSolve map that we had a large number of tokens that had not been swapped for cookstoves. Using PowerSolve, we were able to identify the GPS locations of the households that had not swapped their tokens for cookstoves, which made it easy for our team to go out to these homes, speak to residents and help them swap their tokens for cookstoves,” says Malcolm Stewart, TASC Africa CFO.
Global Adoption of the Cookstove Token Distribution Method
Following TASC's successful implementation of the Token Distribution Method, Tasman Environmental Markets (TEM), adopted PowerSolve's method for their inaugural carbon finance cookstove initiative in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Southern and Western Highlands Provinces.
TEM had faced rugged terrain and unpredictable weather in PNG and had begun distributing 20,000 tokens, issued in the native Tok Pisin language. In a community that relies solely on open-fire cooking methods, these tokens are exchanged for improved cookstoves, marking a significant step toward clean cooking practices and reducing carbon emissions in the community.
"Our PNG team are currently registering approximately 700 households per day utilising the token system, which for us is a flyer with a unique code, paired with a photo of the household leader. As we prepare to distribute 20,000 cookstoves to the community, we are confident that the adoption of this system will streamline the distribution of our cookstoves to these remote communities,” says Adrian Enright, TEM CEO.
By addressing distribution challenges with PowerSolve's Token Distribution Method, both project developers and communities can enjoy a more efficient and reliable experience when receiving cookstoves. The Token Distribution Method has enabled TASC and TEM to meet distribution targets faster, while maintaining the data quality needed to support carbon credit verification.