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SETADISMA

Sustainable Energy Transition and Digitalization of Smart Mini-Grids for Africa

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Location

The project will be implemented in Algeria, Kenya, Rwanda.

 

Partners

Lead: Politecnico di Milano

Overall Objectives

The project aims to tackle the African mini-grid sector as a whole, thus addressing the challenging topics of technological, energy planning, digitalization research and development and related capacity building, focusing on communities to be electrified for the first time (green-field projects), as well as brown-field cases where old mini-grids are repowered including renewable sources, such as Algerian, Kenyan and Rwandan national case-study.

Context: why is this action necessary

Currently, the needs of the rural population are mainly satisfied by using poor quality energy sources, like kerosene, biomass, piles or inefficient small diesel generators, that create pollution and limit relevant income-generating activities or industrial applications. The business-as-usual approach of rural electrification by mini-grids has provided for the installation of systems only supplied by diesel generators to lower the risks, as fuel generators are very cheap and fast to install, but also polluted and expensive in terms of operation. Instead, in recent years, hybrid systems combining renewable sources, batteries and optional fuel generator as backup source have risen attention for new electrification projects as they lower the operational costs, pollution, and support the energy independence of the local context. Furthermore, ICT has been used to improve energy systems and this has led to a considerable impact on the mini-grid sector with the development of smart mini grids.

What are the concrete actions that will be implemented?

The objective of this project is to study brown and green-field mini-grid together with the inclusion of digital technologies and fully integrated socio-economic models:

  • Technological Research: Generation technologies considering energy mix scenario
  • Energy Planning Research: Context and energy demand assessment
  • Digitalisation: Assessment and application of digital technologies at technical system
  • Capacity Building: Development of educational training and capacity building programmes
What is the expected impact of the WP?
  1. Increase of energy access in rural area and use of Renewable Energy Services
  2. Improve living conditions and social inclusive growth in local context
  3. Create innovation and jobs in mini-grid field
  4. Improve economic development and income generating activities
  5. Improve the local governance structure through the involvement of the community in the decision-making process linked with the energy system
  6. Improve long-term oriented collaboration between African and European funders of R&I and H&ICB
  7. Improve collaboration between Academia, SME, Energy Utilities, Government

Online Trainings

Off-Grid Solutions for a Sustainable Energy Transition in Africa

Welcome to a suite of five online trainings developed by the LEAP-RE SETADISMA partners. 

Assessment of Renewable Energy Resources by National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG)

This course focuses on the assessment of wind and solar resources. In this course, participants will learn how to develop a measurements campaign for renewable energy resource assessment and how to use Reanalysis data and mesoscale modelling to achieve this. The course comprises four lessons and, with the practical exercises, will take approximately seven hours to complete.

Data for Renewable Energy Systems by Strathmore University

In this course, the student will explore the world of data and how it can be used to drive innovation in renewable energy systems. You’ll learn how to classify data and choose the right analysis techniques for each type. You will also learn about the process of data cleaning and preparation. You’ll learn how to transform raw data into compelling narratives that inform and inspire action. The course comprises five lessons and will take approximately seven hours to complete.

Business and Socio-Economic Contexts of Mini Grid Development by LUT University, Strathmore University and University of Pisa

The course highlights the complex contexts in which mini grid developers operate in Africa and how the interests of both business and local communities can best be served. The success and sustainability of mini-grid projects rely on effective business models that balance economic viability with social and environmental objectives. The course will cover different types of business models, as well as various approaches that can enhance the impact and financial sustainability of mini-grids. The course comprises five lessons and will take approximately seven hours to complete.

Entrepreneurship in the off-grid solar energy sector by Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES)

This course aims to give prospective entrepreneurs the knowledge, skills, and insights to navigate the off-grid energy sector in Africa. This course will provide an in depth look at relevant business models to support your entrepreneurship journey in the off-grid solar energy sector. Through case studies and theory, the course highlights the dynamics and strategic opportunities of the off-grid energy sector in Africa, and will help you develop a pitch for your solar energy business project. The course comprises nine lessons and will take approximately 11 hours to complete.

Off-Grid Energy Systems Modelling with MicroGridsPy by SESAM at Politecnico di Milano (Polimi)

This course explores the broad concept of Energy Systems Modelling and highlights a new open-source modelling tool, MicroGridsPy, for identifying the optimal size of hybrid mini-grids for rural areas. Participants will understand how to build, run, and analyse results from models through the use of relevant case studies.

The course comprises 13 lessons and, with the practical exercises, will take approximately 16 hours to complete

You can find all five courses on the EdApp Learning Platform

All five courses are published on the EdApp Learning Platform (also known as SC Training). EdApp is very suitable for using with a mobile phone device. The courses are narrated by the author, and include tests and practical exercises for students to check their learning as they progress.

The courses are offered cost-free.  Here is the link where you can register and complete the trainings. 

News from SETADISMA

LEAP-RE is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy technologies and promoting their widespread adoption through innovative research and development. The partnership operates within the framework of science diplomacy, bringing African and European governments together around shared objectives in science and technology. LEAP-RE fosters a cooperative ecosystem through joint funding calls, institutional twinning, peer-to-peer exchange, capacity-building activities, stakeholder forums, and an online knowledge-sharing platform

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