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Ankur Agarwal, Energy Expert, Energy Catalyst
Globally, the number of people without electricity access stands at 757 million. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for over 550 million of this figure and a further 150 million people living in the region suffer unreliable connections. Energy storage technology is essential for enabling this demographic to access reliable electricity.
Energy access represents a small market in global terms. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the projected realistic demand in SSA for stationary storage will be close to 83 GWh by 2030, less than 10% of the global demand of 1 TWh for the same time horizon. On the other hand, this also implies a seven-fold increase in demand from 11 GWh in 2020 at an annual growth rate of 22%. This projected growth will entail both challenges and opportunities.
Figure 1: Projected growth in storage capacity in SSA with technology breakdown
The barriers towards reaching scale include:
Nevertheless, many energy storage technologies that can address these challenges effectively are well suited to weak and off-grid contexts. The table below, from the Faraday Institution, provides a helpful overview of which storage technologies offers the most appropriate solution according to each given priority:
Technologies beyond Li-ion will be essential to address the long-duration, low-maintenance and high-affordability requirements of this market. Several innovative companies within the Energy Catalyst cohort are pioneering storage solutions that have the potential to overcome these challenges.
Further insights on these storage trends and companies can be found in this Energy Catalyst Report from March 2022.
Energy Catalyst accelerates the innovation needed to end energy poverty. Through financial and advisory support, and by building strategic partnerships and uncovering new insights, Energy Catalyst supports the development of technologies and business models that can improve lives in Africa and Asia.
“People need reliable, clean power around the clock, not just when the sun shines or the wind blows.” Bruce Anderson, founder & CEO of US technology developer 247Solar
In rural areas of developing countries, access to electricity often is limited even where it exists. National and regional grids can be unreliable. Off-grid, power is often provided by basic PV installations, which operate only during the day. Battery storage, if any, only lasts a few hours. Diesel gensets are dirty and fuel costs are high.
Now, for communities of 5,000 people or more, 247Solar offers reliable clean power 24 hours a day. The company’s 200 kW HeatStorE™ thermal battery converts surplus electricity from PV, wind, or the grid to heat and stores it for up to 20 hours, more than enough to power rural communities through the night.
Replaces gensets
During prolonged periods of bad weather, HeatStorE becomes a 21st century genset, providing continuous power, even when its energy storage is fully depleted. HeatStorE burns a wide variety of liquid or gaseous fuels, including hydrogen. By doing so, the system is its own backup, and because its storage is long duration, it can reduce fuel costs 80-90% compared to diesel alone.
24/7 solar power and industrial heat
HeatStorE is different from conventional short-duration batteries in many ways. One of the most significant is that it is capable of supplying industrial-grade heat for steam production, crop drying, refrigeration, water purification and other uses. This means that in addition to round-the-clock power, communities can attract new industries, create jobs, and increase their economic well-being.
How it works
HeatStorE converts electricity to heat, and then stores the heat in inexpensive material like ordinary sand at temperatures of nearly 1,000℃. As needed, air is blown through the storage container, and the super-heated air that emerges is used to drive a unique turbine that runs without burning any fuel as long as stored heat is available.
All of HeatStorE’s components are factory produced, and the system has few moving parts. It can be assembled and maintained by local workers, and, in more industrialised countries, many components can be produced locally as well.
Jobs, jobs, jobs
Lack of reliable electricity is a major obstacle to economic development in many regions. With climate change looming, fossil fuel-based solutions are no longer viable. By adding HeatStorE to PV or wind and removing diesel gensets, remote communities can now enjoy reliable clean power and heat around the clock. This enables them to lower their overall costs of electricity and increase productive outputs, leading to job creation, economic growth, and improved quality of life.
Buried beneath the earth’s surface is a wealth of valuable and extractable natural resources. Africa alone is home to many of the world’s mineral reserves and is therefore a major producer of many key minerals and metals. This is why, the mining sector plays a crucial role, both on a global scale and, in particular, locally for the people and countries involved.
One of key challenges for many mining regions is the geographical location; accordingly, a sufficient, reliable, but at the same time cost-efficient power supply is a vital factor in each operation. To avoid having to build appropriate power transmission facilities across difficult terrain, the most feasible solution is often to generate power at or near your site. In most cases, diesel generators are currently used for this purpose.
In its efforts to increase sustainability and achieve decarbonisation goals, the mining industry is more and more turning to renewable power sources. However, more environmentally friendly, renewable resources have an additional issue to be solved: intermittency.
NAS® Batteries, distributed by BASF, are one of the most suitable and cost-competitive solutions for addressing the intermittent nature of renewables. These high-energy, long-duration stationary energy storage devices enable a decentralised and reliable power supply at all times – with power generated by renewable sources such as solar and/or wind energy.
With our NAS® Battery, we tailor an energy storage solution to your individual project requirements. Working together with you from an early stage of your project, we estimate your energy storage needs, conduct an initial cost-benefit analysis to determine the ideal number of batteries and deliver the technical layout and system configuration of the NAS® Batteries. Thanks to our global network, we can put you in touch with other relevant partners – from investors to EPC services.
With our scalable energy storage solution, we equip your energy system with a proven, cost-efficient and sustainable battery technology that allows a smooth and efficient operation.
If you want to find out more, please visit www.nasbatteries.basf.com
Asantys Systems is a 360° service provider for solar projects in Africa and Asia, delivering clean energy solutions to unsupplied communities and ending environmentally unfriendly diesel generators. Although solar powered mini-grids and solar home systems (SHS) are established renewable energy sources in rural areas of developing countries, they also have ecological challenges, which cannot be underestimated.
Most solar powered systems from the past years use lead batteries to store solar energy at night. Over the years, many of these batteries have reached their end-of-life and hence require replacement and proper disposal of the discarded ones. The same is applicable to Li-ion batteries, commonly used in small solar applications today. In total, recycling needs of end-of-life batteries from solar powered systems are increasing worldwide.
Unfortunately, formal battery recycling facilities, which fulfil international environmental and health standards, are capital intensive and, usually, unavailable in developing countries. Therefore, local recyclers apply unsafe local recycling methods to treat end-of-life batteries, leading to health exposure for workers and people living there.
On the other hand, recycling battery waste in Europe or other countries with appropriate recycling facilities is expensive. It involves a complex process due to the transboundary nature of hazardous waste, regulated by the Basel Convention.
Project owners and financing partners often have no financial budget or lack knowledge of the battery recycling industry. The result of this is that tonnes of batteries are stored for years since proper solutions are costly and involve lengthy, convoluted administrative processes that often hinder the entire process.
Asantys decided to get active to develop solutions to overcome this problem.
As part of our R&D activities, we partnered with different companies specialised in recycling to jointly work on recycling solutions in Africa and other emerging countries, smoothing regulatory frameworks, enforcing local recycling companies to meet international standards and developing concepts to ensure future solar project also consider recycling.
Our collaboration with BlackForest Solution (BFS) and the Landbell Group enables us to provide institutions, governments, installers, and operators of solar powered systems with a complete recycling service solution, which takes the burden of battery recycling from their shoulders. As partners, we handle appropriate packaging, logistics, Basel Convention process, mediation with recyclers and legal advisory to ensure an easy, safe and sustainable recycling of used batteries.
As a solar EPC and system integrator, we provide turnkey solutions and act as a one-stop-shop for all kinds of solar battery related projects like mini-grids, telecom, and commercial application. With more than 12 years of experience, Asantys is one of the leading solar service providers, and we are delighted to add battery recycling to our services today.
For further information, please contact: recycling@asantys.com
The “Export Initiative Environmental Technologies” (EXI) was launched in 2016 by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) with the aim of expanding and sharing the knowledge and applications associated with environmental and climate protection technologies, as well as innovative (green) infrastructure, with partner countries. The intention is to make a concrete contribution to sustainable development and improved living conditions.
At the same time, the environmental relevance of sustainable technologies should facilitate the export of German environmental expertise and technologies. The growing global demand for environmental, climate protection and efficiency technologies opens up great opportunities for German companies to establish themselves at an international level and to build local partnerships. The initiative is also intended to help establish and deploy globally uniform environmental standards and framework conditions.
Green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for distributed and off-grid power supply
Within EXI, NOW GmbH supports projects in the field of green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, specifically for distributed and off-grid power supply.
The initiative provides various opportunities in this area, especially for SMEs and technology companies as well as research institutions based in Germany. The programme primarily aims to support them in taking their first steps in new markets by implementing international projects in the field of green hydrogen and fuel cell technology, sustainably building partnerships and contributing to knowledge exchange between German and local partners.
With the help of the funded projects, EXI strives to make a concrete contribution to sustainable development, to create access to environmental technologies and to establish networks of key players – worldwide. In addition, the implementation of the projects is designed to contribute to sustainably establish suitable local framework conditions and infrastructures in order to create a positive impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The broad spectrum of applications for green hydrogen and fuel cell systems offers wide-ranging possibilities for the use of these technological solutions for prime-, semi-stationary and back-up power systems, including remote and urban areas. As part of EXI, NOW GmbH intends to make these and other possible areas of application visible to potential users through lighthouse projects that aim for sustainable development, thereby generating market opportunities for developers and suppliers.
Also, see the EXI-explainer and website for further information and publications:
Nepal lacks energy reliability and security. To date, we face power outages due to unreliable supply of electricity. The seasonal plus daily fluctuation of demand surpasses the seasonal fluctuation (caused by overdependence on hydropower) of supply which leads to billions spent on energy imports. The lack of cost-effective energy storage solutions has also inclined people, businesses and industries towards non-renewable backup alternatives such as diesel generators. Gham Power aims to bring an innovative and renewable storage/ battery solution that will help balance out and stabilise our electrical supply.
Gham Power has been working on finding a reliable storage solution to replace diesel generators and exploring the wider application of batteries for around three years now. In partnership with a British energy storage company, Swanbarton, we have come up with a new battery model that could help address the fluctuating energy supply by having consumers independently produce and consume energy through batteries combined with solar and allow them to sell surplus energy back to the grid or to other consumers.
Research Results
Our research results show that at present, the average time of power outages lasts less than 30 minutes. By installing a smaller size battery which supports and provides for these shorter power outages, consumers can not only benefit from decreased cost, but they can also reduce their electricity bill through energy arbitrage, demand charge minimisation as well as other battery applications. Additionally, they will also be able to feed energy into the grid if proper policies are implemented.
We’ve calculated that if 2% of the market (connected to the grid) were to implement this system it will result in peak-shaving of 50 MW per day during peak hours and an overall decrease in demand of 127 MWh of energy per day which will help reduce fluctuation in demand. Moreover, with only 2% adoption of this system we can displace around 2,303.28 tonnes of CO2 and approximately 859.43 kl of diesel, effectively replacing diesel generators and saving the government Rs. 128 million on fuel imports annually.
What next
In conclusion of our research, we are now looking to conduct commercial trials in order to gather practical proof and are currently conversing with various government organisations to discuss policy support for this system.
Interested partners and sponsors can contact us at: contact@ghampower.com
You may want the Periodic Table of the Elements at hand to read this blog. But failing this, our primer on battery energy storage options and points for your battery maintenance & operations plan won’t leave you lost.
We focus on the most popular types of electro-chemical batteries for off-grid use: lead-acid and lithium-ion.
Battery types: Overview statistics
More than 75 MW of lead-acid batteries are deployed globally, as of 2018. For those of us active in the off-grid market, lead-acid seem ubiquitous, yet account for 2% of storage globally as of 2021. These well-tested batteries have been the darling for off-grid uses, given their reliability and affordable pricing. However, their cycle life is short. The energy density is low. The lifespan is just 3-6 years. Further, lead is toxic for people, animals, water and soil; is regulation of the manufacture, transportation and disposal sufficient?
Since 2010, virtually all utility-scale batteries — 90% — have been Lithium-ion (LiOn). The costs for LiOn batteries have fallen dramatically since 2010: 89% cheaper by 2020. The demand for LiOn in electric vehicles have helpfully acted as an anchor to reduce pricing with landmark speed.
The battery space is innovation rich: the research firm StartUs Insights surveyed more than 731 battery storage start-ups globally in 2022. Canadian start-ups like Moment Energy repurpose retired electric vehicle batteries for microgrids and other markets.
Why maintenance of the battery is important
A detailed and digitally documented, visual inspection of the battery housing or cabinet is essential, even on a monthly basis. Safety signage; means to disconnect the battery (if > 60 volts); monitoring and charge control; checking for corrosion on terminations/connections; ventilation (including exterior air intake) should all be elements of a thorough maintenance checklist.
If the battery is a large, LiOn or similar chemistry, then testing the gas sensing technology system, fire suppression system, and verifying that the battery shut-down mechanism works is critically important.
Using a software tool like 60Hertz Energy, designed to prompt, schedule and document maintenance in the field can make the difference between catching yellow warning signs before they become expensive, red flags, or worse, a failed asset. Similarly, chasing warranty claims with manufacturers is far easier when preventative maintenance has consistently been logged in a digital tool, with timestamps, pictures, and notes.
Storage is the secret to decoupling the time at which power generation occurs from power demand. Importantly, as silently as batteries rest humming to themselves, maintenance needs are nonetheless critically important to ensure the longevity of these expensive assets.
For further reading and citations:
Want to know more? Read the extended version of the article here.
The development of sustainable products and services is an important element of the sustainability strategy at Fronius. For the GEN24 Plus, Fronius has the world’s first LCA to be confirmed by an independent institute (Fraunhofer).
What were the results of the LCA, and how does the Life Cycle Assessment help maximise the benefit for the environment?
The results were very satisfying. The environmental benefits of the GEN24 Plus are up to 26 times higher than the energy required to manufacture and operate the inverter as well as reuse and dispose of the waste (depending on the country etc.) Furthermore, the CO2e payback time ranges from as low as 0.8 to 3.7 years. After that, the inverter is climate neutral and contributes to the energy transition day by day.
What steps has Fronius taken to ensure sustainability of its operations?
Certainly, the production uniquely in Austria sets us apart. However, we do not only fulfil the legal standards, but we go beyond. For instance, sustainable site development is a big topic, with all of our company sites being ISO-certified. Energy-efficiency and the use of over 80% renewable energy all throughout our business are further examples.
Why is repairability of inverters important for the industry to further increase sustainability?
When an inverter is faulty, many suppliers don’t repair but exchange the entire device. This takes up far more resources than necessary. That’s why we do the opposite: if a Fronius inverter is faulty, it can either be repaired directly on site, at our repair centre or with a Fronius System Partners (Fronius distributor). In turn, to keep our cost low, we are naturally motivated to build inverters with the highest durability. For us, repairability and durable inverters go hand in hand and also result in the most economic PV system for our customers.
Further information on the LCA can be found in the three news articles as well as in a detailed whitepaper
What next? - High Expectations for the Life Cycle Analysis Results of the commercial inverter Fronius Tauro
“The expectations for the results of the life cycle analysis for the Fronius Tauro inverter are high. We naturally want to follow up on the excellent LCA of the GEN24 Plus”, reveals David Schönmayr, Project Manager, R&D Fronius International GmbH, about the ambitious goals.
An MoU has been signed on 15 March 2022 between the Burundi Renewable Energy Association (BUREA) and ARE. The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations to address the challenges related to the optimal use of the various renewable energies for electrification and the potential for energy efficiency in Burundi. Both organisations agreed to stimulate social and economic development by increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix in East Africa and particularly Burundi.
The associations will work together on a number of activities, including accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to reach renewable energy targets, targeted business development and market intelligence support for DRE companies, and joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in Burundi.
In this regard, the associations aim to further develop the capacity of renewable energy stakeholders in Burundi to create local jobs to drive more financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will, for example, be achieved by business events and by spearheading “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings for Burundian and international DRE developers and stakeholders, with the aim of providing additional fundraising and technical support.
Finally, the MoU states that the partners will offer support through business development services for renewable energy actors working in Burundi, to address electrification, energy security and climate change challenges, as well as conduct applied research to foster the market for renewable energy technologies.
An MoU has been signed on 28 March 2022 between the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and ARE. The MoU sets out the shared goals of the two organisations to address the challenges related to the optimal use of the various renewable energies for electrification and the potential for energy efficiency in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) states. Both organisations agreed to promote social and economic development by increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix in HKH states.
The partners will work together on a number of activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in HKH states to create a conducive market environment for renewable energy actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy targets as well as developing joint knowledge products and organising joint industry events to spur market development.
Furthermore, the partners also aim to support capacity building for renewable energy companies and to collaborate on building the sector work force in HKH states, creating local green jobs, embedding sustainability and enhancing the capacity of the sector to attract adequate financing.
Finally, the MoU states that the partners will offer support through business development services for renewable energy actors working in HKH to address electrification, energy security and climate change challenges.
An MoU has been signed on 11 April 2022 between the Mozambican Renewable Energy Association (AMER) and ARE. The MoU outlines the shared goals of the two organisations to address the challenges related to the optimal use of the various renewable energies for electrification and the potential for energy efficiency in Mozambique. Both organisations agreed to promote social and economic development by increasing the share of renewable energies in the energy mix in Southern Africa and particularly Mozambique.
The associations will collaborate on various activities, including joint advocacy for renewable energy policies in Mozambique to create a conducive market environment for DRE actors, accompanying and contributing to the government’s efforts to achieve renewable energy targets as well as targeted business development and market intelligence support for renewable energy companies.
In this regard, the associations especially aim to develop the capacity of renewable energy stakeholders in Mozambique to create local jobs and enhance the capacity of the sector to attract adequate financing for renewable energy projects and businesses. This will, for example, be achieved by spearheading in-person or virtual “DRE Investment Academies” or similar trainings and capacity building activities for Mozambican and international DRE developers and other stakeholders, with the aim of facilitating additional funding and technical support.
Finally, the MoU states that the partners will offer support through business development services for renewable energy actors working in Mozambique, to address electrification, energy security and climate change challenges, as well as conduct applied research to foster the market for renewable energy technologies.
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and ARE have formed a partnership on 19 April 2022 to demonstrate the potential of DRE to generate green jobs in the West African region.
According to the International Labour Organization, young men and women between the ages of 15 to 24 comprise 34% of the working-age population in Sub-Saharan Africa, with youth representing 10-20% of those unemployed. DRE can act as a prime catalyst for green job creation in Africa and beyond, creating direct green jobs in manufacturing, assembly, distribution & sales, operations & maintenance, as well as derived jobs in related sectors relying upon a stable source of electricity, such as rural agricultural industries and fisheries.
With increased support for the green recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially towards long-term skills development programmes, the DRE sector can thus be a gamechanger, creating jobs for millions of people, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The creation of these new and enhanced jobs will boost GDP, support local socio-economic development, lighten the workload in various sectors such as agriculture, and contribute to long-term sustainability by fostering skills development across the workforce.
In this regard, the partners will team up to reinforce evidence-based data of DRE to massively boost job creation at scale in West Africa. They will work together to identify the job creation potential of DRE in the region and disseminate the findings to key stakeholders, particularly policymakers and international funding partners.
At the occasion of the 7th EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF) on 14-18 February 2022, ARE organised a virtual session focusing on creating jobs and empowering women and youth via renewable electrification in Africa and partook in a high-level panel covering lessons learnt and opportunities in investing in sustainable energy and energy efficiency solutions for Africa.
Furthermore, ARE contributed to a business declaration with African and European renewable energy businesses calling for a platform to further coordinate and enhance joint efforts between the public and private sectors.
Lastly, ARE together with representatives from the European Commission, ARE and RES4Africa Foundation participated in the launch of Team Europe One Stop Shop for Green Energy Investments, powered by the GET.invest.
An ARE delegation was present at the Salon Promote in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in the week of 19-27 February 2022 building on ARE’s partnership with ADEME on productive uses of renewable energy and healthcare electrification, as well as ARE’s MoU with ACER.
On this occasion, ARE partook in a discussion with the Minister of Water & Energy and other key stakeholders on the status, plans and opportunities for private sector in the renewable electrification space. ARE CEO David Lecoque also spoke in the opening ceremony of the forum on Renewable Energy, alongside the DG of the Ministry of Water and Energy, SER, ADEME, ACER and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
The winners of the ARE Photo Contest: Sustainable Decentralised Electricity to Power a Green and Equitable Recovery were announced on 28 February 2022. Supported by GET.invest, ARE launched the photo contest under the DRE Recovery Campaign. The contest aims to raise awareness and promote the critical importance of DRE to advance the COVID-19 green recovery agenda. In total, 54 organisations submitted over 150 photographs for consideration in the photo contest.
ARE welcomed photos taken in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean and the Asia Pacific that depict images according to the following categories:
According to the UNHCR, at least 82.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2020 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.
DRE solutions can among other things improve lighting, heating/cooling, emergency communications, device charging, health systems such as medical facilities, mobility and power small and informal economic activities. To meet fluctuating demand, it is essential that DRE solutions are modular and can be adapted effectively and fast according to the needs in the temporary settlement areas.
To highlight the work of ARE Members who are actively working to improve access to energy in humanitarian settings, ARE in partnership with UNIDO ITPO, explained the novelty of DRE solutions at its booth and spoke at DIHAD - the leading humanitarian aid & development event in Dubai on 14-16 March 2022.
As a follow-up to the FERM and to turbocharge industry efforts in the Malagasy DRE market, ARE, supported by the PERER project of GIZ Madagascar, organised a round table on the DRE market opportunities in Madagascar on 30 March 2022. The main objective was to discuss and present Malagasy DRE market opportunities to the private sector and potential international investors who would be keen on investing in Madagascar.
Five private sector companies briefly presented their company, an explanation of why chose to work in Madagascar, and the positive aspects of the market, challenges and gaps in the market for equipment for productive uses, and market prospects and opportunities moving forward. The recording of the round table remains accessible on the ARE LinkedIn page.
For more information about GIZ Madagascar’s work on rural electrification visit www.giz.de/en/worldwide/23973.html
Solar can be a force for good beyond simply providing clean energy. This was discussed during one of the side-track sessions of the SolarPower Summit in Brussels on 31 March 2022 focusing on solar power in emerging markets. The session brought together entrepreneurs, institutions, and financiers that look to bring about socio-economic change through solar energy. The panellists discussed their successes, and ways in which innovation can empower people.
ARE took part in the lively debate and contributed to interesting discussions including:
The side track sessions were co-organised with and supported by GET.invest, a European programme supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria.
Join our second webinar under ARE's new Innovation for Electrification (I4E) showcase series on the topic of 'Energy Storage Trends' on 28 April 2022 at 14:00 - 15:15 CEST!
The 75-minute webinar, powered by 247Solar, will feature presentations from ARE Members and gives participants the chance to:
ADEME, AFD and SER, in partnership with ARE, are organising the 3rd edition of the annual conference on sustainable off-grid energy access on 10 May 2022 at Business France in Paris.
After the success of the 2018 and 2020 conferences, this edition will be held as a follow-up to the work of the National Access to Energy WG as well as the restitution of the capitalisation work of the sector's projects.
The conference will be held in French and feature:
It will be possible to follow this conference in person or remotely. Participation is free of charge, subject to availability. Click here for more information.
ARE in partnership with BSW-Solar and Intersolar Europe, with the support of BMZ and GET.invest, looks forward to welcoming you to this year's Off-grid Power Workshop "Meet the Practitioners" at Intersolar Europe on 12 May 2022 in Munich.
The workshop is an opportunity for participants to meet high-ranking delegations, manufacturers, technology providers, academia, policymakers and industry leaders.
Participation is free - you only require an exhibition ticket to join. Come and pay ARE stand a visit at booth B3.309!
Join us as we speak at two sessions at the SEforALL Forum:
Organised by CORE, this session will deep-dive into the of role regional and national certification programmes and how to use existing approaches to certify practitioners in your country. Certification of professionals that deliver DRE will help in building a skilled 21st century workforce and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG-7.
Achieving universal energy access relies on creating and cultivating renewable energy jobs. Accelerating SGD-7 provides a global opportunity to drive employment and economic growth. However, more workforce investments are needed, especially when it comes to women and youth. Co-organised by ARE and PowerforALL, this session will highlight several new initiatives working to build the skills and ecosystems required by the energy practitioners of the future.
In its 5th event under the PWCET series, ARE and Green People’s Energy (GBE) are organising a discussion with various stakeholders on "Understanding the Clean Energy Transition with Community-Driven DRE Projects" on 24 May 2022 at 14:00 - 15:30 CEST.
The discussion will focus on the necessity and impact of community-driven or community-supported DRE projects to scale up clean energy penetration to countries’ energy mix and thereby achieve clean energy transition.
Join us as the partners present their latest findings from their latest publication on 12 community-driven DRE projects from Germany and selected countries in Africa, with a selection of presentations from case study contributors.
EAIF is the top annual business and finance event for the renewable electrification sector, enabling and fostering business and investor partnerships for the purpose of sustainable electricity access, decarbonisation, economic growth and fighting against climate change.
The Forum will convene private and public financiers, energy and climate investors, development finance institutions, international funding partners, government officials and private sector companies with the goal to boost clean electricity access globally, where 759 million people still lack access to electricity and another 2.8 billion people suffer from unreliable power services.
EAIF 2022 will be held in-person and upon invitation only in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 28-30 June 2022. Virtual participation, including GET.invest Virtual Matchmaking sessions on 14-15 June 2022, is open for everyone.
This year’s EAIF is supported by the European Union and GET.invest.
DRE stakeholders interested in exhibiting, speaking or partaking in the in-person event are encouraged to contact us directly.
This Energy Catalyst research presents an overview of the energy storage market, and in particular its relevance to energy access, highlighting the importance of and challenges to scaling energy storage in this sector. The report also highlights a selection of energy storage innovation projects supported by Energy Catalyst and presents relevant learnings and insights.
Through financial and advisory support, and by building strategic partnerships and uncovering new insights, Energy Catalyst supports the development of technologies and business models that can improve lives in Africa and Asia. Energy Catalyst aims to accelerate progress on SDG-7 to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Tied closely to this mission, there is a strong interconnection between energy storage, the transition to renewable energy more broadly and SDG-13 to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact, furthering climate action, strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.
The Faraday Institution have commissioned this rapid market assessment to scope the opportunities for energy storage, their scale, and the key enabling factors for market growth. The report provides high-level market estimates for different types of energy storage in developing countries to 2030. It highlights the attractiveness of these markets from public policy and industry perspectives. Based on a synthesis of existing literature, our market sizing provides the foundations for more granular projections of demand and highlights where key gaps in knowledge and data continue to exist.
The market assessment also reviews the technical needs for energy storage in developing countries, with the aim of ensuring evidence-based prioritisation of investment and research towards technologies. The report provides an assessment of the applicability of storage technologies to different use-cases, the barriers they face, and key research priorities. These findings will help to prioritise ODA funding by the Faraday Institution and Innovate UK’s Energy Catalyst. They also help international policymakers, industry, and research institutions who wish to tailor their efforts towards developing markets.
Fundamental to providing reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity access to all, renewable investments at scale can contribute to supporting Africa’s sustained economic growth, strengthening local value chains and promoting the creation of local jobs. In order to deepen this topic, RES4Africa Foundation, IRENA and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa developed their first joint report Towards a prosperous and sustainable Africa: maximising the socio-economic gains of Africa’s energy transition, presented today in occasion of the European Union-Africa Business Forum.
Building on the knowledge and experience of the three organisations, the study is a comprehensive analysis of the job and socioeconomic impact of clean energy investments in the African continent, combining the views and experiences of leading international institutions active in supporting development, sustainable economic transition and renewable energy development in emerging economies.
Please note that views expressed in the Co-Editorial, the In Focus section and the Special Feature of the newsletter, are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect ARE’s opinion.
