Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification

In the words of the great song smith Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changin’”. Never before could this line be so appropriately used to describe the renewable energy industry and indeed the Alliance as an organisation.

To our four new members, let me once again warmly welcome you to the ARE family. The clear momentum gathered with every single new member is testament to the ever growing influence of the renewable energy market as a dominant force within the wider energy field.

This is my first editorial as the newly appointed Secretary General of the Alliance and I would like to thank the General Assembly for placing their trust in both me and my team to propel the Alliance upwards and onwards. Considering the progress that we have made since our humble beginnings in 2006, I believe it is entirely reasonable to suggest that we can further move the Alliance into a core position within the renewable energy market. That is to say that the Alliance can, and will play a central role in promoting strategic alliances between governments and organisations, helping to endorse the correct political and financial conditions as well as facilitating the appropriate provisions relating to maintenance, recycling and private entrepreneurship within each developing country.

I must also take this opportunity to welcome our new Communications Officer Alexandra Reis. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as senior consultant in media for one of Brussels’ biggest consultancy firms. I have no doubt she will prove an invaluable asset to the Alliance.

In this issue of the newsletter we have some very interesting information, articles and pieces.
These include an introduction to our newest members, a look back at important Alliance activities for the past few weeks and an interview with the CEO of a leading African renewable energy provider. Moreover, in our new section “In Focus”, we hear about the “Make the Call: Energy for All” Campaign, a pan European initiative which aims to set the energy access deficit, as well as and its impact on development, higher on the political agenda.

With the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All in 2012, now more than ever the Alliance looks forward with hope and enthusiasm. We believe that we have a substantial role in helping to create real change in renewable energy access and development and that there are great opportunities for industry within this market. We encourage all members and potential members to join us on this road to change.

Indeed, the times they are a changing and ARE will be right there throughout!

Enjoy and thanks for reading.

Simon Rolland
Secretary General

IN FOCUS

Regardless of how often we read the statistics, the reality of energy poverty remains shocking:

3 billion people cooking with traditional biomass
1.5 billion women, men and children without access to electricity
1.4 million people dying each year from indoor air pollution

But more startling is the fact that, to date, there has been no international commitment to change this situation. ‘Business as usual’ projections indicate that the same number of people will be denied the power to challenge their poverty in twenty years’ time.

Yet recently the dominance of ‘security’ and ‘efficiency’ has begun to be tested: energy ‘access’ is beginning to find space on the international agenda. In the last few months alone, the UN Secretary General has unveiled the target of ‘Universal Energy Access by 2030’ and announced that 2012 will be the UN Year of ‘Sustainable Energy for All’.

This target is both laudable and achievable but it will require a concerted and coherent approach. The gravity of the issue needs to be met with financial support from donors, national governments and the private sector. Policies at international and national level should encourage a delivery ecosystem that's fit for purpose, and practitioners need to focus on the impacts that can be realised with modern energy.
We have the technology and are all too familiar with the barriers. What is lacking is the political will to transform universal energy access from rhetoric into reality.

NGO Practical Action is currently leading a cross-European project focused on exactly that; generating the public mandate and political commitment to see energy access for development high on the agenda and resulting in tangible action.

As part of a significant programme of work, Practical Action has launched a new campaign, ‘Make the call: energy for all’, encouraging the EC Development Commissioner to afford greater priority to energy access.

It’s a simple, top-line call to action and one which Practical Action is keen to promote amongst ARE members, as a first step in mobilising commitment across Europe to challenge the energy apartheid.

If your organisation would be interested in supporting ‘make the call: energy for all’ by promoting the action on your website, endorsing it within your networks or having a fuller discussion around the ways in which we can work together to address the issue of energy poverty in developing countries, please contact Helen Marsh

Energy poverty is unjust, but together we can ensure that it is not inevitable.

: Click here for more info on the Campaign!!

NEWS FROM THE ALLIANCE

New Alliance Members

Axiturn

Axiturn is a Netherlands-based company which develops and produces unique and patented mechanical folding systems, based on a special hinge with unique properties. With regards to the solar energy market, Axiturn’s technology provides the possibility to fold panel systems in and out, such as Photovoltaic panels and mirrors. They then act as an effective enabling technology to improve PV systems in order to produce a more efficient performance.

To show the potential and opportunities of their technology, Axiturn has designed the SolarTulip, which combines exclusive Axiturn technology beside other well known components such as PV panels, inverters and mirrors and products already supplied by other members of ARE. Therefore, Axiturn has joined the Alliance to team up with other members to provide rural areas with practical and cost-effective solutions to their energy needs.

Axiturn views the Alliance as being able to provide a valuable platform to emerging market and ultimately to help the world’s most vulnerable people access to affordable and renewable energy that will benefit them socially and economically.

To find out more about Axiturn, please email Axiturn by clicking here

Atersa

Atersa, an experienced leader in photovoltaic solar energy, was founded over 30 years ago in Spain where it is still based today. An innovator in the early days of renewable energy and technologies, Atersa is now a market leader and can boast one of the largest depths of experience within this sector in Spain.

Hence, Atersa possesses a vast knowledge and practical experience of a range of renewable technological solutions in both grid and off grid environments. It maintains a production line in Valencia and sales offices in Valencia, Madrid and Milan.

They are a welcome addition to the Alliance and have joined ARE in order to increase their levels of visibility within the booming off-grid market, to forge new and contacts and to highlight the important role that their energy solutions can play in both developed and developing countries. Atersa believe that joining the Alliance is fundamental to all of these aims.

For more information on Atersa, please click here.

Nedap

Nedap is a global leader in the development and manufacture of electronic hardware, software, and product services that provide customers with advanced electronic solutions. Nedap is primarily based in the Netherlands but also has subsidiaries in Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Spain and the United Kingdom. .

Continuously growing for more than 80 years, Nedap has become a top class manufacturer of energy solutions and has supplied the energy market with distinction and with over 122MW of solar inverter capacity. The main product of Nedap, the PowerRouter system, facilitates an easy combination of solar and wind power, trade energy and store energy in a unique all-in-one system.

Nedap Energy Systems has joined ARE to increase its contact with both residential and industrial markets in emerging and developing countries where the PowerRouter can play a crucial role. Nedap also looks to ARE for the latest news relating to tenders and business opportunities in the renewable energy sector as well as the development of relationships with other members and the forging of healthy and beneficial relationships to all concerned.

For more information on Nedap Energy Systems, please click here.

Wonderenergy

WonderEnergy are engaged in a number of different activities. They include bilateral relations with China/UE for renewable energy companies. They are technical advisors for two emerging China Provinces in Technological and Industrial issues concerning renewable energies, mainly solar. Already, they have implemented two Joint ventures between UE Companies and Chinese Companies to satisfy the need of domestic markets.

Wonderenergy has an office in Beijing with two employees. With respect to rural electrification WonderEnergy are present in different multilateral organizations whose main aim is to promote and finance sustainable rural electrification. WE cooperate with different Spanish Companies in order to prioritize and create projects in this field. They are particularly active in ECREE and Latin America, where they have correspondents in various countries. They are Partners, as a Company in innovation projects, concerning solar energy and its different applications.

Indeed, recently WE became partners of URBANER whose aim is the creation and promotion of energy producing urban furniture. WE consult customers in internationalization procedures in the field of Solar Energy and Rural Electrification, mainly medium size Spanish companies that do not have the expertise and the resources to do that on their own.

For more information on WonderEnergy, please click here

If you would like to become a member of the Alliance, please contact us.

Simon Rolland appointed Secretary General at recent AGM

: Simon Rolland makes a point at the recent AGM

At the recent AGM, Simon Rolland was unanimously elected as ARE’s Secretary General, taking over from the outgoing Guido Glania. Simon held the position of ARE’s Policy and Development Manager for four years and has previous experience in the European Parliament and a number of different NGOs.

Commenting on the appointment, Ernesto Macias, President of ARE said, “I am delighted that Simon agreed to become Secretary General. His familiarity with the organization and the sector means he is well placed to deliver the results that matter to members. I would also like to thank Guido for his extraordinary work and dedication. We wish him all the best in his future projects.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon said, “ARE is at the crossroad between two increasingly important trends: on one hand companies in the renewable energy sector worldwide are more and more aware of the opportunities in emerging markets, in particular within the framework of new energy access policies and economical growth; on the other hand, there is a global rising awareness around the challenges of climate change and international development. Our sector and markets can only expand - exciting times are ahead.”

A key role of the new Secretary General will be to promote strategic alliances with organisations and Governments, so as to better facilitate the right conditions needed to trigger the full potential of renewable energy in developing countries. These conditions include for instance, a stable political environment, sustainable financing schemes, and provisions to safeguard maintenance and to develop private entrepreneurship. Securing a sound funding base and raising awareness of ARE’s work are key to this strategy.

New Board Members

: Dirk Hendricks speaking at the recent Alliance AGM

There were three new Board Members elected at the recent Annual General Assembly.

Dirk Hendricks is the Secretary General of the European Small Hydro Association (ESHA) and previously used to work for the United Nations and the World Future Council and became Secretary General of ESHA in Fall 2010.While introducing himself to the AGM, he vowed to see that small hydro companies were better informed about ARE and encouraged to join it.

Claude Ruchet is the current Deputy Director of Studer Innotec and an outstanding expert for off-grid systems, very much respected in the international off-grid community.

: Marco Seeman at the recent AGM

Marco Seeman is ENEL’s Policy Advisor, in charge of renewable energy policies in the company’s Brussels office. Marco is a public policy professional with a long track record in EU affairs and is closely connected with the most influential renewable energy associations.

Enel Group Company, dedicated to all renewable technologies, has a presence in Europe, North America and Latin America. Enel Green Power belongs to the industry leaders worldwide and is the largest renewable operator in Italy, and builds on internationally integrated operations where approximately 22 billion kWh of electricity are generated from hydro, solar, wind and geothermal sources. This is enough to meet the energy needs of more than 8 million households and avoid the emission of more than 16 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Moreover, Marco confirms that Enel Green Power is committed to sustainable development and that renewable energies play a pivotal role in creating a new environmentally friendly, politically acceptable, secure and also economically viable energy scenario for all places on Earth.

Marco believes that rural electrification is an important and symbiotic part of this new energy scenario and that ARE is central to the task.

Communication Officer Appointed

Also new to the Alliance, Alexandra Reis will take over the position of Communications Officer. Prior to joining the staff at ARE, Alex worked in a Brussels-based public relations and public affairs consultancy, where she was coordinated several pan-European and global communications campaigns.

Her expertise includes media relations, marketing, branding and online outreach. Throughout her career, Alex worked for other multinational consultancies and was directly involved in the long-term communications efforts of several trade associations and European Institutions.

At ARE she will be responsible for communication activities including issues relating to sponsorship, the Alliance’s online activities and connections as well as media relations.

You can contact Alex via email by clicking here.

ARE ACTIVITIES

ARE Annual General Meeting 2011, Networking Dinner

The members of the Alliance for Rural Electrification met recently in Brussels for their Annual General Assembly. Over 18 members were present in a meeting where participants were informed about the Alliance’s 2010 activities and strategy for the upcoming year. One of the highlights of the AGM was the election of the Alliance’s new leader. The outgoing Secretary General Guido Glania remarked that it had been a successful year in terms of new member growth, with 16 having joined from diverse fields and regions.

Guido also pointed out that the increase in delegations by the Board and Secretariat to developing nations and North America was effectively resulting in a growing broader representation from those areas.

Regarding the year ahead, the AGM heard how key strategic objectives include a call to focus on strengthening cooperation with key partners, (for example the African Renewable Energy Association) strengthening the membership base in the small hydro sector and a renewed focus on improving communication, under which Alexandra Reis would provide a fresh momentum.

Also, the AGM agreed with the objective of improving ARE’s information materials in order to actively promote renewable energy technologies and markets. The Working Group for Technological Solutions will be able to present very soon a new publication which gives a vast overview of the existing different technologies as well as precise quality standards to follow.

Other objectives for 2011 set out at the General Assembly meeting include a focus on market analysis for renewable energy and off-grid technologies in developing countries. The strengthening of the membership base especially in the small hydro sector and improved relations with the Asian Solar Forum and Club ER, especially considering the mutual interest in off grid and mini grid technologies. Moreover, the importance of cooperation with GSMA was also stressed as an important component of the 2011 objectives. In addition, two new publications - “Lessons Learned from Hybrid Mini-Grid Systems” and the 2011 Edition of “Best Practice of ARE; what renewable energy can achieve in developing countries” - are nearing completion and will also strengthen ARE’s message. Finally, the Working Group on Legal framework is expected to deliver in 2011 useable and precise key recommendations on rural electrification in order to support policies and favourable frameworks.

ARE Symposium “Merging Off-Grid Research and Business”

The Symposium, “Merging Off-Grid Research and Business” held in Brussels recently was attended by more than 90 people was designed to bring together leading off-grid researchers and seasoned professionals from the private sector. It gave an overview on current research topics, the latest field experience and offered ample networking opportunities. Members of the Research Working Group, comprising leading off-grid researchers from Fraunhofer ISE, INES, Technical University of Delft, University of Twente and University of Southampton, designed this Symposium.

The Symposium was the occasion for nine experts from different backgrounds to present the latest research and progress in the field of rural electrification. New experiences, new technologies and new business models were discussed and they demonstrated once AGMin how booming the sector of off-grid renewable is and the interest in bridging research and industry in this field.
Several universities and organisation also had the opportunity to present posters throughout the day.

The Symposium was organized with the generous sponsorship and continuous support of Studder Innotec and Kyoto Energy. It is only thanks to the commitment of our members that this type of high quality event can be organised.

For information on Studder Innotec, please click here.

For information on Kyoto Energy, please click here.

Presentations for this Symposium are now online. Please click here.

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACTORS AND STORIES

Founded in 1999, KXN Nigeria Ltd uses solar technology to solve people's needs for dependable energy and improved living standards. KXN Nigeria Ltd is a systems integrator; distributing, assembling, installing and maintaining equipment from some of the world’s largest solar product manufacturers.

To find out more about KXN Nigeria Ltd, please click here.

Anthony O. Ighodaro is founder and C.E.O.

What motivated and prompted you to set up KXN Nigeria Ltd?

My wife and I relocated to Munich for two years, 1997 – 1999 when she went to Germany to help set up a telecoms joint venture. Moving from London, Munich was one of the best kept secrets– a beautiful city in the centre of Europe where the people had a zest for living and enjoyed a great quality of life founded on their love of the environment. It was like moving from “dial-up” to “broadband” – you had to live it to understand it.
At the end of the period, I contacted Siemens, headquartered there and possibly then the world-leading pv company, and took an introductory pv course. After the course, my family agreed that the business prospects were bright, as we had the Sun and social contacts in Nigeria, and access to technology and resources in Europe. The frequent and prolonged electricity outages in Nigeria would ensure a favourable reception.

What benefits do you think a business such as yours can accrue from joining the Alliance?

It is an opportunity to make oneself known to other members, and to find out what we can offer each other. Personal contacts enable you negotiate better deals, and you can get informal high-level consultancy. You can find qualified (reputable and proven) suppliers, and potential partners for EU-funded projects.
Is membership worth it? Considering the annual cost of membership and attending one dedicated ARE event a year in Brussels (plus marginal costs of EU PVSEC and Intersolar ARE events ), I would say that the value alone I have secured, through personal relationships nurtured at ARE, have resulted in benefits in excess of that – and business is still expanding! On top of that, add the benefits of the positive support from ARE, experienced in two ways at our pioneering “Renewable Energy Pavilion” during the NIF 2010 exhibition. First, as exhibitors with three other ARE members, SolarWorld, Trojan Battery Company and Eauxwell Nigeria Ltd. Second, as a presenter - with Guido Glania, who’s encounter in our pavilion, with the Federal Capital Territory Minister made national news.

Can you tell us a bit about the work of the African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA), as well as your own particular role within its Steering Committee?

AREA’s purpose is to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across Africa. The membership of the network is self-selecting, free-of-charge and open to all. I think it has the potential of extraordinary leverage, because among its membership you see individuals whose names and roles in powerful organizations you know. Some AREA activities can be implemented within the budgets of those entities.

AREA is a platform for policy makers, representatives from business and the civil society to exchange information and consult about policies, technologies and financial mechanisms for the deployment of renewable energies in Africa. Founded in Ethiopia in 2009 by the World Future Council it now comprises over 250 members from 47 countries.

I am chairman of its Steering Committee of 12 people, coincidentally representing both the business sector and ARE (since Guido left ARE). Other members include the director of ECREEE, Energy Regulator of South Africa, members of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, present and former members of parliament, colleagues from Kenya, Morocco and the AREA coordinator. (See SC Overview attachment).

The Steering Committee is responsible for developing our strategy and weaning AREA from 100% dependence on WFC funding, into a financially sustainable network. My role as chairman, as we transform into a registered NGO in South Africa, is to help support and guide, and to harness the momentum of my colleagues and their networks and our Coordinator to deliver our strategy.

In what way do you think the Alliance could benefit from having a relationship with the African Renewable Energy Alliance?

AREA is fast-growing and is likely to reach more Africa renewable energy practitioners directly.

More “Calls for Proposals”, e.g. ACP-EU Energy Facility ll, and ECREEE’s “ECOWAS Renewable EnergyFacility”, make the participation of local project partners obligatory. Project partnerships between ARE and AREA members could be facilitated through ARE initiatives. Manufacturers could develop distribution and new markets. Institutional members of ARE such as universities can find collaborators and assistance among AREA’s diverse membership.

ARE should develop and make the most of its position as a founder of AREA by ensuring that its members engage with AREA member and/or group events. This will yield more influence and opportunities to develop sustainable renewable markets.

The “Power Kick for Africa” initiative is a very positive and inspiring idea. Could you please explain how it works and how you became involved? What role can renewable energy play in enhancing community orientated sporting and social development in Africa?

The World Future Council (WFC) came up with the idea of a “Public Viewing of the 2010 Football World Cup powered by Renewable Energy”. Scheduled for the Ghana vs. Germany match on June 23rd last year, and partnered by Energiebau Sunergy Ghana Ltd, who donated and installed the equipment, the event was held in an off-grid village, Oboadaka, one hour away from the capital. I was one of the AREA participants of the preceeding “Power Kick for Africa” workshop, who joined the villagers to watch the match. The event was outstandingly successful in the enthusiasm and press coverage it generated worldwide.

This year, building on the Ghanaian experience, we plan an outdoor event with a bigger audience in Nigeria, within the urban setting of Abuja (see overview).

Clearly, a demand for rural television and public viewing is evident.

The Nigerian Infrastructure Forum 2011 scheduled for the 1st and 2nd of November 2011 is going to be a major international convention bringing together different cross-sections of the industry. What are your expectations for this forum and how do you think it can contribute effectively to the development of renewable energy within Nigeria and indeed Africa as a whole?

The “Renewable Energy Pavilion” space at NIF 2011 will double in size this year, retaining its prime position. (See provisional floor plan). By committing early to it, we shall enjoy the synergies of working with its experienced UK-based conference organisers, CWC group.

We expect serious interest from construction companies building housing estates, generator suppliers wishing to package inverter chargers and batteries and to include a solar pv option; state governments keen on Public Private Partnerships, and close interaction with policy makers and government executives in power, telecoms, transportation and the environment. This is where we can make renewable energy mainstream.

For more information on the Nigerian Infrastructure Forum, please click here.

Finally, if you were told that all fossil fuels would be gone by the end of the year, do you think that renewable energy solutions could fill the gap in the market? Or would a serious change in our lifestyles be in order?

Actually, it would be impossible for renewables to fill the gap within one year. I estimate that it would take 14GWp (about the entire world production last year) of photovoltaics just to replace the electricity delivered by the 3,800 MW of fossil-fuelled thermal generator plants in Nigeria. In the medium to long term it should be possible and desirable to replace fossil fuels and, in the process, to create the jobs needed by the vastly expanded youthful world population.

The clever thing to do immediately would be to deploy smart-metering, energy efficiency measures, electric vehicle transportation, and suitably-sized renewable energy systems in order to live within our means with a sustainable quality of life. Standalone and mini-grids would provide resilient energy security amid the chaos and civil riots which could be unleashed in the event of such a fossil fuel catastrophe.

Thank you to Anthony O. Ighodaro for a really great interview!

For more information on Power Kick Africa, please click here.

DISCUSSION CORNER

“How soon, if at all, could renewable energies fill the gap in the market if fossil fuels were to run out?”

In a recent interview to ARE, KXN Nigeria’s CEO, Anthony O. Ighodaro stated his belief in the possibility of a medium to long-term solution, but that for the short-term, we would need to foster a locally based renewable approach.

What do you think? How soon is it possible and what would it take to get renewable energy to the completely fill the market?

Come and let us know what you think. Find the discussion on ARE’s Facebook page here.

A LOOK AT THE PUBLISHED AND ACADEMIC WORLDS

Here we take a look at some of the more interesting and thought-provoking articles and publications have been produced recently, from the professional and academic arenas.

Brunnschweilers’ piece examines the role of finance in the development of renewable energy. This is a good article for anyone who wants to read about the importance of developing the necessary financial mechanisms for renewable energy projects. This article reinforces the focus on financial provision so often highlighted by the Alliance.

Freling and Ramsour seek to examine the amazing potential and demand for renewable energy in developing countries. Interestingly, the authors highlight the important role that R.E., and in this case Solar Power, can play in helping to develop those economies and communities in off-grid areas. An article definitely worth a read, if not two!

Our other choice looks at the case of a small off-grid hydro power station in Tanzania. It evaluates the framework needed to successfully sustain such projects. Essentially, the authors seek to use these case studies to identify problems and appropriate solutions, by making it a best practice template. This article can be considered a must read for anyone wanting to know about the technical, institutional and financial measures associated with such developments.

Shining light on Renewable Energy in Developing Countries (2010)
Robert A. Freling and David Lawrence Ramsour, Definitive Solar.

“As newly industrialized countries grow, the world’s energy demands will increase significantly, creating an opportunity for unprecedented investment in clean, renewable alternative energy systems to meet demands. As this sea change commences, more villages in nations without effective electric distribution grids will begin to benefit from decentralized PV electric power for their water supply, refrigeration, lighting, and other basic needs.

And as the cost of extending supplying solar power becomes competitive with fossil-burning fuels and other forms of energy, the development of large solar farms will be able to reach grid parity and supply the needs of those countries with energy grids, reducing the debilitating and polluting effects that fossil fuels are currently having on many of them. Solar energy has the power to not only enrich societies, but to also alter the development of populations around the world, particularly in countries rich with sun and sand”.

www.definitivesolar.com/_documents/ShiningLight_DevelopingCountries.pdf

Finance for renewable energy: an empirical analysis of developing and transition economies (2010)
Christa N. Brunnschweiler, Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge Journals.

“This paper examines the role of the financial sector in renewable energy (RE) development. Although RE can bring socio-economic and environmental benefits, its implementation faces a number of obstacles, especially in non-OECD countries. One of these obstacles is financing: underdeveloped financial sectors are unable to efficiently channel loans to RE producers. The influence of financial sector development on the use of renewable energy resources is confirmed in panel data estimations on up to 119 non-OECD countries for 1980–2006.

Financial intermediation, in particular commercial banking, has a significant positive effect on the amount of RE produced, and the impact is especially large when we consider non-hydropower RE such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. There is also evidence that the development of the RE sector has picked up significantly in the period since the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol”.

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7796618

Increasing sustainability of rural community electricity schemes—case study of small hydropower in Tanzania (2010)
Wim Jonker Klunne and Emmanuel G. Michael, International Journal of Low Carbon Technologies, Oxford Journals.

“Local small-scale hydropower resources can play an important role in providing electricity to rural areas in Africa, in particular those areas remote from the national grid. The large knowledge base on technical aspects of small hydropower indicates a proper understanding of the technology involved. However, at the same time the number of hydro-projects implemented does not reflect the enormous potential that exists in Africa, suggesting other barriers than the technology itself is still persistent. Studies on rural electrification conclude that technology issues are only part of the reason why energy access is still very low in certain areas. The way new (energy) technology is introduced in rural areas and the systems set up for operation and maintenance is equally important.

Next to a conducive environment at the national level with relevant regulatory, legislative and financial frameworks in place, emphasis needs to be put on the institutional design and practices incorporated. To evaluate the role of institutional and management arrangements and practices adopted by developers on the sustainability of these systems, the research uses off-grid hydro-schemes in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania as case studies. The article describes the contribution of financial, social and technical aspects to the sustainability of the isolated power schemes. Based on the case studies, conclusions are drawn towards methods that will increase the sustainability of hydro-systems”.

http://ijlct.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2010/06/15/ijlct.ctq019.abstract

UPCOMING ARE EVENTS

Clean Technology World Africa 2011

Power and Electricity World Africa 2011 is about investment, development for power operators, developers, government and developers. With the ten dedicated shows under one umbrella it provides solutions and business opportunities across the whole energy value chain.
ARE’s General Secretary Simon Rolland will give a presentation at the Conference and seek to increase ARE’s visibility and inform attendants of the benefits of renewable energy.

For more information please click here.

International Small Wind Conference 2011

The conference will address the latest international policy and technical developments in small wind systems. Again, ARE Secretary General Simon Rolland will represent the Alliance and address delegates.

For more information please click here

Solar Expo

This is an International exhibition on energy generation and conservation which aims to showcase the progress made, deliberate the potential opportunities and challenges facing the industry and to create a roadmap for sustainable growth and development. ARE will exhibit an information stand where our delegates will present the Alliance’s view on renewable energy and the services offered by Alliance members and seek to increase Alliance visibility and contacts in the energy sector.

For more information on the event please click here

Second Symposium Small PV Applications

This Symposium, of which the Alliance for Rural Electrification is an official supporting organisation, will bring together leading figures from the professional and academic world to discuss a wide range of small PV applications.

These include components, including the batteries or other alternatives to energy, storage systems, market development, distribution channels as well as the avenues of financing.

For more information please click here

InterSolar

As the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, InterSolar Europe brings all areas of solar technology under one roof and addresses the entire supply chain for photovoltaics, PV production technology and solar thermal technology. ARE will again be present with an information stand which will provide information on the Alliance and which can be considered an ideal networking and advertising means.

To find out more about InterSolar please click here

E8 Summit

The 2011 e8 Summit will be held on the 2nd of June, 2011 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. This Summit will mark the culmination of the e8 and UN global initiative on "Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships", the e8’s 2010-2011 annual themes.
The focus of this initiative is to jointly identify with UN agencies and other international public and private sector organisations that promote the most effective partnerships that support the global deployment plan for low and zero-emitting electricity technologies at developing country, regional and international levels. This "Power Partnership Plan" aims to result in countries making significant progress towards global electricity access in the 2030-2040 timeframe.

To get all the relevant information please click here.

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