Harry Lynch
Director
Switch On: The Series (2020)
Season 1
Visit the Maasai savannah of Kenya, Africa’s largest slum and its newest hydroelectric dam. Journey into the coal mines and power plants of growing Vietnam. Cross Nepal with an environmental health scientist, studying people’s transition from the most dangerous cooking fuel, killing millions a year, to the safest. And bring solar electricity, for the first time ever, to the Arhuaco people of Northern Colombia. Watch this 7-part series, based on and expanded from the celebrated global energy documentary Switch On- a spectacular, unexpected journey to know and understand the issues driving energy development around the world.
Released Feb. 1, 2024
Episode 26 min
None+
S1E1 - Modern Cooking Fuels
3 billion people still use wood or biomass to cook their food and heat their homes. But these necessities come at a devastating cost: 3 million people die each year from breathing smoke. Dr. Scott Tinker visits Nepal, to see how they- like many countries- are transitioning to modern cooking fuels, and the many benefits these bring.
Feb. 1, 2024, midnight
S1E2 - Urban Grid Expansion
100 million people move to cities each year, mostly in the developing world- and they often settle in slums. How will governments and utilities battle cartels, corruption and budget shortfalls to supply electricity to these new urban citizens? Dr. Scott Tinker visits Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, to look at the challenges to urban grid expansion.
Feb. 2, 2024, midnight
S1E3 - Developing on Coal
Nearly every country developed on coal, and the developing world is following suit because coal is cheap, local and easy to use. Affordable coal electricity is helping lift these countries out of poverty, but at local and global environmental costs. Dr. Scott Tinker travels to Vietnam to see the benefits and challenges of developing on coal.
Feb. 3, 2024, midnight
S1E4 - Hydropower in Africa
Many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America aim to build hydroelectric projects, large and small, to bring electricity to their growing cities and power their economies. Join Dr. Scott Tinker in Ethiopia, at the construction site of Africa's largest dam, to understand the key issues of building hydro here and across the developing world.
Feb. 4, 2024, midnight
S1E5 - Off-Grid Solar, Part 1
For hundreds of thousands of off-grid villages around the world, building their own solar-powered microgrid may be the fastest way to get electricity. The Arhuaco tribe in remote Colombia has asked a solar nonprofit for help. Dr. Scott Tinker joins them to learn what it takes to plan, fund and build a solar microgrid far off the beaten path.
Feb. 5, 2024, midnight
S1E6 - Off-Grid Solar, Part 2
Join Dr. Scott Tinker, Solar Electric Light Fund and a team of volunteers as they return to the jungles of Colombia to build a solar microgrid- as utilities, nonprofits and entrepreneurs are doing across the developing world. With the help of the Arhuaco villagers, for the first time ever this remote community will have the power to Switch On.
Feb. 6, 2024, midnight
S1E8 - Off-Grid Energy Solutions
1 billion people still live without electricity, mostly in rural areas where the power grid doesn't reach. Dr. Scott Tinker goes to rural Kenya, to see how micro solar solutions- sold by local entrepreneurs, paid for with mobile phone banking- can bring light for literacy, water for farming, and cultural connection to off-grid families.
Dec. 2, 2020, midnight
PBS
26 min/ep
182 min
Feb. 1, 2024
Feb. 6, 2024, midnight
Returning Series
NR
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