The smaller, modular technology approaches are localised, namely using wood-chips or compressed logs directly in efficient combined heat and power stoves, and have the added benefits of developing local skills and capacity in their manufacture, sales and maintenance. Since this assessment used a life-cycle approach- where the the entire value chain (production to end use), the overall resource efficiency is also determined by the end-use. Changes in the practices of usage can greatly improve the overall efficiency, namely more efficient stoves and energy efficient appliances, so the implementation strategy should more carefully consider end-user energy efficiency, preferences and needs. An important aspect is that this pre-feasibility assessment did not consider the other possible valuable products that could be generated from IAPs. These products include: timber, textiles, and paper products that could be alternative beneficiation options. Similarly, it did not consider the other valuable secondary products from the IAP2ENERGY scenarios such as ash remaining after combustion, pyrolysis or gasification (used for fertiliser or brick-making) or biochar from gasification and pyrolysis (used as a soil improver and fertiliser), nor did it consider technology options that are emerging and expected to be at established commercial stage in the near future. These limitations should be more fully explored in comprehensive feasibility studies.
New partnerships between government (Working for Water, and LandCare), landowners and conservation agencies (Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative) are required for the effective implementation of IAP2ENERGY.