A systematic review and bibliometric analysis of electric cooking technologies and their sustainability implications

The Evolving Landscape of Electric Cooking Solutions

Access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is crucial for achieving many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, energy poverty remains a harsh reality for millions worldwide, with around 733 million people lacking access to electricity and nearly 2.4 billion relying on inefficient and polluting cooking fuels and technologies. The situation is particularly dire in sub-Saharan Africa, where over 568 million people lack access to electricity and nearly 923 million lack access to clean cooking fuels and technologies.

The use of solid fuels such as charcoal, firewood, dung, and coal for cooking remains widespread, particularly in developing regions. While affordable, these traditional cooking methods have severe environmental and health consequences. Inefficient combustion produces high levels of household air pollution with fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants, contributing to 3.2 million premature deaths globally in 2020, including over 237,000 children under 5 years.

In this context, electric cooking (e-cooking) has emerged as a promising option to traditional cooking methods due to its sustainability, health benefits, energy efficiency, convenience, safety, and potential for grid integration. E-cooking, through technologies such as hotplates, electric pressure cookers, rice cookers, and induction stoves, presents a viable solution to addressing indoor and outdoor air pollution. When coupled with renewable energy sources like solar photovoltaics, e-cooking can provide clean, sustainable alternatives to traditional biomass and fossil fuel-based cooking methods.

Mapping the Research Landscape: A Bibliometric Analysis

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research on e-cooking and its sustainability implications, we conducted a systematic review and bibliometric analysis. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Scopus database for relevant publications from 1993 to 2023, identifying 67 eligible studies for in-depth review.

Trends in E-Cooking Research Output

The analysis of publication trends revealed a significant surge in e-cooking research starting in 2020, with a peak of 23 articles published in 2021. This surge could be attributed to the development of innovative technologies, such as efficient induction cooktops, and the growing emphasis on environmental regulations and policies promoting sustainable cooking practices.

Geographic Contributions to E-Cooking Research

The United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Australia, and China emerged as the top five countries leading in e-cooking research. Interestingly, several developing countries, such as Nepal, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, have also contributed to the research on e-cooking, indicating a recognition of its potential benefits in addressing energy access, sustainability, and environmental challenges.

Thematic Analysis and Intellectual Structures

The thematic map analysis identified four key thematic clusters within the e-cooking research landscape:

1. Basic Themes: These fundamental concepts include “clean cooking,” “e-cooking,” and “energy access,” which are essential to the core focus of the research area.

2. Motor Themes: These central and well-developed topics drive progress or innovation in the field, such as “life cycle assessment,” “e-cooking,” and their association with renewable energy sources like “off-grid,” “solar PV,” and “LCOE.”

3. Niche Themes: These more specialized or localized aspects include “fuel stacking,” “perceptions,” and “Tanzania,” representing specific case studies or contextual factors.

4. Emerging/Declining Themes: Concepts like “internet of things” suggest either emerging areas of interest or declining relevance compared to other themes.

The factorial analysis further revealed the positive association between e-cooking, sustainable development, mini-grids, and energy efficiency, contrasting with the negative relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and energy utilization.

Influential Authors and Journals in E-Cooking Research

The top authors contributing to e-cooking research include Ozturk I., Dogan E., Shahbaz B., Saboori B., and Liu Y., based on their publication counts and citation impacts. The most influential journals in this field are Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Sustainability, International Journal of Energy and Economics Policy, Energy Policy, and Ecological Indicators.

Integrating E-Cooking with Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Systems

The review highlights the potential of integrating e-cooking solutions with renewable energy sources, particularly solar PV and microgrids, to provide cost-competitive and sustainable cooking options, especially in off-grid and rural areas. Several studies have demonstrated the economic viability and cost-competitiveness of these integrated systems, with cooking costs ranging from $0.70 to $0.16 per meal, comparable to or even lower than traditional options like firewood and LPG.

However, challenges remain in terms of initial investment costs, monthly electricity expenses, grid stability, and limited capacity during peak demand periods. Researchers have proposed innovative solutions to address these challenges, such as optimized PV/battery/diesel hybrid mini-grids, smart battery management systems, demand-side management strategies, and consumption-based payment structures.

Overcoming Socio-Economic and Behavioral Barriers to E-Cooking Adoption

While e-cooking appliances have demonstrated social acceptability and usefulness, affordability remains a major barrier, especially in low-income households and communities. Several studies have examined the cost-competitiveness of e-cooking solutions compared to traditional fuels, highlighting the importance of policy interventions, tariff adjustments, and innovative financing models like pay-as-you-go and subsidies to improve affordability and access.

Beyond affordability, socio-cultural factors, such as consumer preferences, awareness levels, gender dynamics, and livelihood impacts, also influence the adoption of e-cooking. Researchers have emphasized the need to understand local contexts, “fuel stacking” behavior, and employ behavior change strategies to promote widespread acceptance of e-cooking solutions.

Environmental and Health Impacts of Transitioning to E-Cooking

The review demonstrates the environmental and health benefits of transitioning from traditional cooking fuels, such as gas, biomass, and kerosene, to cleaner e-cooking solutions. Studies have found that e-cooking can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution compared to polluting fuels, leading to lower health risks and improved well-being.

However, the environmental impacts of e-cooking are closely tied to the energy sources used for electricity generation. Researchers have emphasized the need to consider the life cycle impacts and ensure that the transition to e-cooking is aligned with renewable energy sources and decarbonization strategies to maximize the environmental benefits.

Future Research Directions and Opportunities

Based on the insights from the systematic review and bibliometric analysis, several promising areas for future research on e-cooking and its sustainability implications have been identified:

1. Optimizing Solar E-Cookers using Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging machine learning and deep learning techniques to develop adaptive solar e-cooker systems that can continuously monitor and optimize performance based on various factors.

2. Integrating IoT and Automation Technologies in E-Cookers: Exploring the potential of IoT and automation to enhance user convenience, energy efficiency, and the overall cooking experience through remote monitoring, control, and automation of cooking processes.

3. Integrating E-Cooking Appliances into Smart Grid Systems: Examining the challenges and opportunities of integrating e-cooking appliances into existing mini-grids and smart grid systems, including strategies for demand-side management and grid stability.

4. Assessing the Long-Term Financial Viability of E-Cooking Solutions: Evaluating the impact of tariff regimes, subsidy policies, and innovative financing mechanisms on the affordability and accessibility of e-cooking solutions, particularly in low-income and rural areas.

5. Exploring Gender Dynamics and Socio-Economic Factors in E-Cooking Adoption: Investigating the role of gender, income levels, education, and cultural norms in shaping the adoption of e-cooking solutions and designing inclusive policies and interventions.

6. Developing Theoretical Frameworks and Innovative Business Models: Leveraging theories and models from various disciplines to understand and influence human behavior related to e-cooking adoption, and exploring innovative business models, such as pay-as-you-go and mobile-enabled fee-for-service, to improve affordability and access.

By exploring these research directions, the academic community can contribute to the development of more effective, equitable, and sustainable e-cooking solutions that can help achieve the United Nations’ SDGs and promote a cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient future.