PowerSolve Technologies, in collaboration with TASC, has developed an automated token swap system, which enables a new, seamless Token Distribution Method for improved cookstove projects.
This system addresses some of the key challenges faced by cookstove project developers, such as logistical inefficiencies, high distribution costs, and security risks when distributing clean cooking devices. This innovation paves the way for a smoother and more scalable approach to distributions and improving 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 beneficiary of the cookstove and the household are then registered for the project. Accurate GPS information as well as other project-essential beneficiary and household details are captured using digital surveys.
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 resulted in distribution teams having to walk long distances on foot, carrying four cookstoves per trip. This challenge was exacerbated by extreme weather, 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.
The long and arduous journeys on foot, combined with unexpected accidents, delays, or sometimes mere exhaustion, negatively impacted 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 distribution challenges.
How the Token Distribution Method Works | A Case Study of Waterberg South Africa Improved cookstoves in South Africa | TASC | tasc.je
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 benefits, timing, and details of the upcoming improved cookstove distribution process are explained to the community.
Step 2: 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 synched with the PowerSolve platform.
Step 3: Village Celebration and Cookstove Distribution
A few days after the tokens have all been distributed to an area, a village celebration is held, bringing 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 that the correct token holders have received their cookstoves. This also presents a final opportunity to review and sign-off 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 improves 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 Malcom 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 swopped their tokens for cookstoves, which made it easy for our team to go out to these homes, speak to residents and help them swop their tokens for cookstoves,” says Malcom Stewart, TASC Africa CFO.
Global Adoption of the Token Distribution Method
Following TASC's successful implementation of the Token Distribution Method, PowerSolve’s new client, Tasman Environmental Markets (TEM), has adopted this method for their inaugural carbon finance cookstove initiative in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Southern and Western Highlands Provinces.
TEM has been confronted with rugged terrain and unpredictable weather in PNG and has recently 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 will be 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 system will also enable more project developers to meet their distribution targets, whilst maintaining data quality and keeping distribution costs down, a win-win solution for all.
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