Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 16:48 .

Stefan Zelazny Highlights Clean Cooking and Carbon Trading Dynamics

Stefan Zelazny, Managing Director of the Access to Energy Institute, emphasizes technology solutions for energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa, advocating for carbon trading associated with clean cooking solutions. Recent trends indicate significant expansion in carbon-relevant clean practices, affecting voluntary carbon markets, particularly in clean cooking, which holds a valuation between $17 to $20 per ton. However, studies suggest current carbon credit methodologies may overestimate emission reductions, prompting a reevaluation of these measures to restore market confidence. Innovations in Digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (DMRV) are gaining traction, shifting towards more cost-effective frugal metering solutions that utilize smartphones for data transfer. The Energy Access Protocol aims to simplify carbon credit acquisition for smaller developers, enhancing their participation in combating climate change. A new digital protocol streamlines the registration of carbon credits, allowing small projects to efficiently issue credits. Nonetheless, challenges persist, as seen in Cocoa Networks' operational struggles due to reliance on overestimated carbon credits, underscoring the need for measured data in carbon trading.

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Speaker

Stefan Zelazny
Managing Director
Access to Energy Institute
Germany

Talk of session: Off-Grid: Innovation and Technologies

For many years, the photovoltaic (PV) market was dominated by grid feed-in systems. Increasingly affordable solar modules and storage systems have been changing this picture. The resulting competitive situation is leading to new results when evaluating whether a grid connection makes sense for a particular use or not. However, off-grid applications for thermal energy are also gaining importance, such as solar-electric heating and cooking. Innovative system design as well as innovative storage and applications are shifting into focus.

Further Talks of this session:

Solar Electric Cooking for Off-Grid Markets: Concept and Field-Test Insights

Speaker

Elisabeth Rüd
Co-Founder & Operations Lead, Feutonix
Ulm University of Applied Sciences
Germany

To Talk

Is Solar Cooling a Viable Solution for Agricultural Value Chains? - Challenges and Findings From a Field Study in Kenya

Speaker

Géraldine Quelle
Project Manager
Phaesun GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Productive Use of Renewable Energy (Pure): Insights From Ongoing Off-Grid Projects

Speaker

Mithil Barath
Promotions & Communications Coordinator
Asantys Systems GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Q&A

To Talk

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