Consultancy
Renewable energy. N/A N/A
Study on the existing capabilities in research and innovation related to renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa
| Country : | AFRICA. . Sub-Saharan Africa (all countries) |
| Client : | EC DG Research and Innovation |
| Start Date : | January 2014 |
| Completion Date : | March 2015 |
| Value of services : | 919 750 EUR |
| Funder : | EC DG Research and Innovation |
| Associate/Partner : | Ecorys Nederland BV RaL – Resource and Logistics |
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| Description : |
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the important renewable potential should be used alongside the development of the indigenous capacity for deploying and maintaining it. This in turn, requires to raise the research and innovation (R&I) capacities in the region. However, the exact research capacities and needs are not well known, nor the social, economic and environmental impacts of different technologies. Therefore, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, before putting forward any targeted R&I renewable energy topics for cooperation with Sub-Saharan Africa, wishes to undertake a feasibility study. This study will enable the formulation of a clear strategy on whether and how to undertake a research and innovation programme that would be equitable and beneficial to both regions in the area of renewable energy (e.g. photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, solar thermal heating and cooling, wind energy, bioenergy, ocean energy, geothermal energy, hydropower and grid integration of renewables). |
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| Description of the Actual Services Provided | The study aims at providing the following: Task 1. Overview of policy and regulatory framework for energy and renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa Task 2. Overview of renewable energy sources penetration and potential in Sub-Saharan Africa Task 3. Analysis of social, economic and environmental impact of potential development in renewable energy technologies Task 4. Overview of research and innovation capacities and needs in the area of renewable energy sources in Sub-Saharan Africa Task 5. Analysis of regional cooperation for energy and/or research Task 6. Analysis of cooperation between Africa and international partners Task 7. Identifying areas of potential common interest between Sub-Saharan Africa and EU in the area of RES Task 8. Recommendations for EU-Sub-Saharan Africa international cooperation in the area of RES Research and Innovation. Activities carried out: * Document review of the policy and regulatory framework for energy and renewable energy in West Africa and Central Africa. * Analysis of the economically feasible potential solar energy (photovoltaic, concentrated solar systems, solar thermal), wind energy, energy from biomass, geothermal, hydropower and the capabilities for grid-integration of intermittent renewable energy sources. Evaluation of current penetration levels and the specific needs in the African context. * Review of the regional and international cooperation activities in renewable energy and grid-integration of intermittent sources. * Identification of areas of common interest between sub-Saharan Africa and European Union and recommendations for the implementation of international cooperation projects in renewable energy-related research and innovation. |