Comparative studies of culturally-based characterisation of energy services

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14020
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Cravioto Jordi 京都大学, エネルギー理工学研究所, 特定助教 (60796621)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Energy services / End-uses of energy / Households / Mexico / Japan / Asia / Latin America / SDGs

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In 2019, the research activity has concentrated on data collection and analysis of the Mexican context following the proposal plan. The first stage of qualitative exploration of energy services (ES) took place from Apr-Jun 2019. Based on it, fuels, energy, household equipment, characteristics, and cultural aspects in connection were identified to design the ES questionnaire. The second stage was conducted from Jun-Sep 2019, which included two activities: (1) The establishment of a collaborative agreement with Universidad de los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca (UTVCO) to assist in collecting data in the southern state of Oaxaca (a multicultural location ideal for the study), and (2) the ES questionnaire design and its on-site validation. From Oct 2019 to Feb 2020, data collection in Mexico took place twice, and so far more than 800 questionnaires were answered. Currently, the third stage of data analysis and article preparation is taking place. Simultaneously, the first stage of explorative ES characterisation in Japan is on-going as well.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

Data collection in Mexico took place in due course and with successful results. Unfortunately, a presentation of preliminary findings of ES in Mexican households in an international colloquium in April 2020 was cancelled due to the new corona virus pandemic. The pandemic has also forced the Japanese government to stop local and international travel, and this has delayed data collection in Japan planned for the first half of 2020. Complementary field work in Mexico might also be affected and rescheduled. When travel restrictions are cancelled and conditions are safe for data collection, field work in Japan and Mexico will be resumed.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In 2020-2021, the research will mostly concentrate on the analysis of the Japanese context with fewer field work in Mexico. By the end of Jul 2020, the third stage of Mexican ES characterisation will be finished, and the article “Culturally-based characterisation of ES: case studies from three social groups in Mexico”, currently under preparation, will be submitted to an international journal. The first and second stages of explorative ES characterisation, questionnaire design and partnerships in Japan is taking place from Apr-Jul 2020. From Jul-Dec 2020, data collection in Japan and complementary field work in Mexico will take place. We expect that conditions are favourable to collect data during the proposed time. The Corona Virus outbreak could further delay the schedule for collection and in such case we have planned to conduct these activities when the travel restrictions are cancelled and conditions are safe for its collection. The third stage of characterisation of ES in Japan is planned to conclude by Dec 2020, which will account for a second academic article describing the Japanese context. Lastly, from Jan-Apr 2021 the fourth and final stage of comparative analysis between the Mexican and Japanese contexts will take place. This will provide material to be later published and/or presented in an international conference in 2021.

Causes of Carryover

In 2020, the budget for the project will total 1,600,000 yen. From this, 321,000 will be spent in article costs (物品費); 730,000 in travel expenses (旅費); 300,000 in personnel expenses (人件費・謝金); and 249,000 in other expenses (その他). Article purchases will include software assisting the survey-taking process, project management and file storage, as well as book purchases. Travel expenses will cover 2-3 times domestic travel in Japan and one international travel to Mexico. Personnel expenses will cover survey takers 2-3 times in Japan. Finally, other expenses will cover proof services for article publishing, web page hosting and design as well as other publishing rights (if necessary).