Networked Knowledge for Renewable EnergiesJoachim Luther • GRA, FVS, Fraunhofer ISE 25 UNESCO’s Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme (GREET Programme) Osman

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Science Forum of the renewables2004

Research, Development and Education – Basis for Wide-spread Deployment of Renewable Energies

Networked Knowledge for Renewable Energies

Solar Energy Research Association (FVS) • Office c/o Hahn-Meitner-Institut • Kekuléstrasse 5 • 12489 Berlin • Germany

Phone: +49 (0)30 / 8062-1338 • Fax: +49 (0)30 / 8062-1333 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.FV-Sonnenenergie.de

0_Umschlag2004_02.qxd5 28.09.2004 17:50 Uhr Seite 1

Science Forum 2004Organized by the Solar Energy Research AssociationForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie (FVS)On 1st June in Bonn

This publication has been supported by the BMBF

Science Forum of the renewables2004International Conference for Renewable Energies



47 Research and Development Needs for Renewable Energy Technology inIndustrialized Countries Sigurd Wagner, Richard M. Swanson • Princeton University (USA)

51 The Challenge of Renewable Energies Integration in Energy Distribution Systems Romeo Pacudan • UNEP Risoe Centre(Denmark)

55 Integrating Renewable Energy Into Society Janice Hamrin • Center for ResourceSolutions (USA)

61 Promotion of Renewable Energies for Heating and CoolingBernd Hirschl • Institute for EcologicalEconomy Research (Germany)

67 Transitioning to a Renewable Energy FutureRian v. Staden • ISES (Germany)

73 Full Solar Supply of IndustrializedCountries – The Example JapanHarry Lehmann • Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Innovations(Germany)

Knowledge for Development: Capacity Building in Renewable Energies for Poverty Alleviation

79 Research and Development Needs for Renewable Energies in DevelopingCountriesMongameli Mehlwana • CSIR (South Africa)

5 Editorial: A Knowledgeable Strategy forthe Dissemination of Renewable EnergiesJürgen Schmid, Sebastian Wienges, Gerd Stadermann • FVS (Germany)

Opening Introductory Notes

9 The Significance of Research and Education for Renewable Energies Wolf-Michael Catenhusen • State Secretary, German Federal Ministry ofEducation and Research (BMBF)

15 Science and Education as a Key to Development Walter Rudolf Erdelen • UNESCO – United Nations Educational Scientificand Cultural Organization

Introductory Overviews:Research, Development and Education

21 Global Research and Development onRenewables Joachim Luther • GRA, FVS, Fraunhofer ISE

25 UNESCO’s Global Renewable EnergyEducation and Training Programme(GREET Programme)Osman Benchikh • UNESCO

Economic and Political Aspects of the Transition to Renewable EnergySystems

41 Policies and Measures for RenewableEnergy and Energy Efficiency in SouthAfricaStanford A.J. Mwakasonda • EnergyResearch Centre (South Africa)

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InhaltScience Forum 2004

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91 Capacity Building for Sustainable Energy Development and Poverty Alleviation in Sub-Saharan AfricaStephen Karekezi, Waeni Kithyoma • AFREPREN/FWD (Kenya)

99 Possible Cooperation between Araband European Countries in Energy,Water and Environmental IssuesW. E. Alnaser • University of Bahrain Gerhard Knies • Climate ProtectionFunds Hamburg (Germany)Franz Trieb • DLR (Germany)

101 Capacity Building in Developing Countries – Bringing Renewable Energy to the People Uwe Rehling • SESAM (Germany)Henning Karcher • UNDP (Nepal)Merina Pradhan • UNDP

107 UNESCO – Global Renewable EnergyEducation and Training Program in aLatinamerican ViewAlfredo Curbelo Alonso• Innovation and Energy (Cuba)

Launching the Open InternationalSolar University (OPURE)

115 The EUREC’s Master in Renewable Energies – Educating Renewable EnergyEngineersDidier Mayer • CENERG (France)

121 Renewable Energy Education Network: The International Institute for Renewable Energies (IIRE)Wattanapong Rakwichian • SERT (Thailand)

125 European Network on Education andTraining in Renewable Energy Sources Spyros Kyritsis • EURONETRES (Greece)

129 Renewable Energy Research andEducation Network Jürgen Schmid • ISET (Germany)

Panel Discussion

137 Opportunies and Necessities ofResearch and EducationFacilitator: Martha C. Lux-Steiner • FVS, HMI (Germany)

Annex

151 International Open University for Renewable Energies (OPURE)

153 International Organisations Concernedwith Energy Issues

159 Press Conference

161 Press Release

165 List of Participants

175 Member Insitutes of the Solar EnergyResearch Association (FVS)

177 Photographic Credits

179 Imprint

Science Forum 2004

Energy was one of five foci of the World Summiton Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johan-nesburg in 2002. While the access to modernenergy is crucial for poverty reduction in partic-ular and development in general, the way ofproducing and providing that energy is as crucial for environmental and social sustainability.Hence, the renewables2004 – the InternationalConference for Renewable Energies was thelogical consequence and next step on the wayforward. It was held from 1st June to 4th June2004 in Bonn, Germany, and turned out to be a forum for stakeholders from all sectors: Governments as well as parliamentarians, theprivate sector, NGOs, International Organisa-tions, and International Financial Institutions.On 1st June this multisectoral approach to thedissemination of renewables was completed by the Science Forum – Education, Research,and Training: Basis for Wide-spread Deploymentof Renewable Energies. This one-day side-eventbrought together scientists and practitionersfrom allover the world, discussing the futurerequirements of research and development aswell as needs and potentials of education and training for renewables in developing andindustrialized countries.

Knowledge will be beyond doubt the source ofpower and wealth in the coming global know-ledge-based society and, hence, is a leverage for all capacity building in sustainable develop-ment. The generation and distribution ofknowledge, however, will not work the waysusual commodities do. Its value can hardly bepriced, nevertheless it has value for actors indevelopmental processes. Knowledge can becharacterized as public or at least semi-publicgood. Neither markets nor politics alone will besufficient to provide the knowledge resourcesneeded for the successful creation of marketsfor renewable energies.

Multisectoral partnerships of autonomousactors, who cooperate flexibly and provide eachother with abilities, information, and comple-mentary resources when needed, offer a newand increasingly prominent informally struc-tured model for international cooperation forsustainable development. Knowledge networkscombine efficiency of competition with effec-tiveness of cooperation. Those networks avoidsituations of international stalemate and offeroptimal conditions for the cooperative dissemi-nation of renewable energies. One of the major,but not uncontroversial outcomes of the WSSDwere the so called Type II partnerships, in all of which knowledge is an important resource tobe traded.

Those organisational forms demand a strategyof management of knowledge in particular andof knowledge networks in general. That strategyhas to complement self-organizing processes ofmarkets with the mechanisms of political gover-nance. It needs to connect decision-making to action and allow renewable energies throughpolitical interventions to compete on level play-ing fields.

The Science Forum achieved to gather the scientific community and contributed to theexcange and elaboration of strategic know-ledge, though a consistent strategy to managenetworks and their knowledge resources for thedissemination of renewables is (still) missing.

The Science Forum would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship andsupport of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). We are alsodeeply grateful to the Thematic Advisor of theConference Renewables 2004, Dieter Uh, of the German Energy Agency (DENA), and MartinSchöpe of the Federal Ministry for the Environ-

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Jürgen Schmid/Sebastian Wienges/Gerd Stadermann • A Knowledgeable Strategy

Gerd Stadermann

Solar Energy Research

Association (FVS)

[email protected]

Editorial: A Knowledgeable Strategy for theDissemination of Renewable Energies

Sebastian Wienges


Association (FVS)

[email protected]

Jürgen Schmid


Association (FVS/ISET)

[email protected]

Science Forum 2004Jürgen Schmid/Sebastian Wienges/Gerd Stadermann • A Knowledgeable Strategy

ment (BMU) for the thorough discussions anduseful advice on the organisation. Specialthanks deserve Hans-Josef Fell, MoP, who asparliamentary expert for research policy ofAlliance 90/The Greens propelled the decisionfor the realisation of the Science Forum.This volume presents the papers of the speakersat the Science Forum, complementing eachother to make knowledgeable the strategic sig-nificance of knowledge, respectively researchand education for sustainable development andthe switch to a renewable energy system. Itcannot give a recipe how to manage that switch,that puzzle is still to be resolved, even if theorganisers of the Science Forum hope to havemade another step on “the way forward onrenewable energy”.

Particularly one outcome (see annex) of the Science Forum proves this hope to be realistic.During the panel discussion the proposal of an open international university for renewableenergies was taken up and launched: On 2nd June, EUROSOLAR and the Solar EnergyResearch Association (FVS) initiated a founda-tion process of the Open University for Renew-able Energies (OPURE), which was acknowledgedas significant commitment and included in theInternatioanl Action Plan of the conference. Forthe time being the university will be internet-based. A respective platform will be developedby the member institutes of the FVS. OPURE issupposed to serve the exchange of informationand impart knowledge on renewable energies,connect existig initiatives and multiply theimpact. The UNESCO, continuing the GREETProgramme, and the BMBF welcomed the proposal and plan to finance that initiative.

OPURE opens a new opportunity to disseminateR&D results, information, and knowledge, and to make them accessible on a global scale. For environmental problems and knowledgehave one thing in common: they do not stop at national borders. The renewable energy technologies are already forthcoming in theindustrialised countries, but they cannot resolvethe global environmental problems and mitigateclimate change without the developing countries.

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Opening Introductory Notes

• The Significance of Research and Education for Renewable Energies

• Science and Education as a Key to Development

Science Forum 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to have this opportunity to addressa few words to you, the participants in the Science Forum. This is an area in which I take a great interest against the background of theRenewables 2004 Conference which has juststarted. First of all, however, I would like to passon greetings and best wishes from Minister Bulmahn who is unfortunately unable to behere today.

The agenda of the Science Forum is topical in thebest sense and gives us good reason to expectan animated and result-oriented discussion. I support the Forum’s objectives to analyse andimprove the effects of research and educationin the field of renewable energies under the different social conditions prevailing in the different countries of the world.

The Renewables 2004 Conference, at which, asI have heard, more than 1000 representatives of governments, international organizations andindustrial companies are expected, is intendedto advance the development and expansion of renewable energies world-wide in a win-winstrategy for both industrial and developingcountries. The Conference’s political message isthat renewable energies are of great importancefor climate and resource protection, for fightingpoverty, and for development, as well as fortechnological innovation, trade and industry,and employment.

Energy is a key issue for the future developmentof the world.

The World Summit for Sustainable Developmentin Johannesburg once again underlined theprominent role of access to energy. The globaldemand for energy is increasing rapidly, particularly in developing and threshold countrieswhich want to catch up with the economicdevelopment of the industrial nations. At thesame time, approximately 1.7 billion people,

particularly in the southern hemisphere, haveno access to electricity. Access to clean andaffordable energy is a precondition for combat-ing poverty, for economic development, and for improving the health of the population andtheir educational systems.

The catching-up process which is currently taking place in developing, threshold and transitional countries exacerbates the risks tothe climate, the environment and safety which already prevail as a result of the largelyunrestricted use of fossil sources of energy inthe industrial states. The challenge which weare facing is to satisfy this demand for energysustainably and to support renewable energiesand the use of energy efficiency potentials as an alternative in all parts of the world.

However, sustainable development is not con-ceivable without the extensive reform of energysystems world-wide. To achieve this, we mustincrease efficiency at all levels of the energy system, reduce global emissions, and extendthe technical-industrial energy base. All thismust be done primarily through the mass useof renewable energies.

This means that the change in course towardssustainability in the field of energy is the first stepinto the solar age.

Sustainability begins in one’s own country.

Allow me therefore to make a few brief observa-tions on the Federal Government’s energy policy.The Federal Government approved a strategyon sustainable development in 2002. The aim is to harmonize ecology and the economy in order to be able to ensure that the Germanpopulation can continue to enjoy a high qualityof life in future. When we speak of sustainability on a nationalscale, we are talking first and foremost about theuse and the consumption of energy. However,the emphasis on the promotion of renewable 9

Wolf-Michael Catenhusen • The Significance of Research and Education for Renewable Energies

Wolf-Michael Catenhusen

State Secretary

German Federal Ministry

for Education and Research

(BMBF)

[email protected]

The Significance of Research andEducation for Renewable Energies

Science Forum 2004Wolf-Michael Catenhusen • The Significance of Research and Education for Renewable Energies

energies does not mean that only the use ofrenewable energies or renewable resources is compatible with the guiding principle of sustainability. After all, the use of renewableenergies, solar energy for example, is alwayslinked with the use of non-renewable resources,for example non-energetic commodities andmaterials, whose supplies are also limited. The use of limited energy resources is only sustainable as long as we succeed in making a technically and economically usable energybasis available for coming generations which isat least equally large. Awareness of this fact isessential because we are dealing with a changein energy supply structures which will continueover several decades and in which non-renew-able energies will continue to play a decisive role.

Economic efficiency is a central principle for the realization of a sustainable energy supply inthis context, and it must also be the objectiveof research and development in the energy sector. Research must compensate for the consumption of resources. Energy research –energy consumption.

Germany aims to double its energy efficiencyby 2020 (compared with 1990). This is not onlywise from the environmental point of view, italso makes sense economically: only the prudentand responsible use of energy can releaseresources, extend economic opportunities andtrigger a surge of innovations which createemployment.

The Federal Government’s energy policy is consistent. The environmentally friendly expan-sion of renewable energies is a cornerstone ofsustainable energy supplies. We have succeededin introducing new framework conditions withthe Law on Renewable Energies (EEG), the“100,000 Roofs” programme and other fundingprogrammes.

Renewable energies currently account for 2.9%of overall primary energy consumption in Germany and 7.6% of electricity production,with a rapid upward trend. Today Germanyaccounts for half the wind turbines that arebuilt world-wide. In the meantime, the installedcapacity of wind power plants totals approxi-mately 13 GW. The Law on Renewable Energies

(EEG), which is due to be amended soon, aimsat increasing the share of renewable energies inelectricity production to 12.5% by 2010 and toat least 20% by 2020. In its latest study entitled“Energy – the change of course towards sus-tainability”, the Federal Government’s scientificadvisory council on global environmentalchanges assumes that renewable energies willcover over half of energy consumption by themiddle of the century.

The large-scale expansion of renewable sourcesof energy represents a huge technological and social challenge which can only succeed if considerable efforts are made in the field ofresearch and development throughout the world.This includes research in science and technologyas well as in the social sciences. Steps must betaken to identify barriers to the rapid expansionof renewable sources of energy, and strategiesmust be developed to overcome these barriers.At the same time, research is also needed intostrategies for acceptance and dissemination,both in industrial and developing countries.

The promotion of research in the field of renewable energies is an integral part of energyresearch policy. The significance of energyresearch for sustainable development is derivedfrom the basic fact that an increase in knowledgeenhances the ability to shape advancements –and the resulting progress in technology createsthe basis for maintaining and expanding thescope of future generations for development. It is a well known fact that research and develop-ment are the only systematic way to achieveprogress and innovations in energy supplieswhich are both economically feasible andadapted to the needs of generations to come.

The Federal Government is currently providingfunds totalling more than 400 million Euro peryear to energy research, more than two fifths of which are available for research and develop-ment in the field of renewable energies andthe rational use of energy. In addition, it is alsoproviding more than 200 million Euro to promoting installations for the use of renewablesources of energy, with emphasis on the heatmarket and photovoltaic systems in schools, aswell as gaining energy from biomass.

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Should Germany, together with other states inthe European Union, succeed in realizing thegoal of spending 3% of GDP on research anddevelopment in 2010, this will considerablyextend the scope for energy research.

It is rightly expected that research and develop-ment should make a considerable contributiontowards tapping the potential of renewableenergies and offering corresponding energy services on the market. However, there are stilla lot of problems to be solved from the technicalpoint of view before energy from renewablesources can compete with energy from fossilsources or nuclear power as far as cost is concerned. We are on the right path, but wehave not yet reached our goal.

In view of the long-term nature and the extentof the necessary changes in the technologicaland economic basis of energy supplies, thetechnology portfolio on which innovations arebased must be sufficiently broad to ensure thatnew options for energy generation are availablein good time. Priority should thereby be givento:

• Research into technologies which are essential for the long-term evolution of energy systems (e.g. photovoltaics, energy efficiency);

• The further development of technologies which only require small steps in order to open up new markets (e.g. solar-thermal power stations and wind energy in deve-loping countries, biogenic synthesis gas);

• The optimization and adaptation of technologies which can already be used cost efficiently (e.g. solar and energy-efficient buildings, photovoltaic electricity generation for off-grid uses, the modern exploitation of biomass).

To this end, we are pursuing a funding policyaimed at securing Germany a top position inter-nationally, ensuring technological diversity, thelinkage of excellent basic research with techno-logical development, the technical optimizationof renewable energies, and integration in thenational energy supply system.

I attach particular importance to one factor inachieving this task: The excellence of application-oriented and basic research in the use of renew-able sources of energy. This is and will remainthe precondition for the development of betterconversion technologies and cheaper sustainableenergy supply systems. Furthermore, importanttasks must also be accomplished outside thefield of energy research. Because, in principle,there are many different promising pathstowards energy conversion, it is important topromote both application-oriented and basicresearch and market-oriented technologicaldevelopment. The BMBF is therefore providing10 million Euro per year towards the specificformation of networks in the field of basicresearch between universities, institutes of theMax Planck Society and other non-universityresearch establishments.

Let me briefly mention some important thematicfocal points of national research funding:

• Photovoltaics: here the focus is on industrial processes to reduce the cost of producing solar cells and modules and to increase efficiency.

• Funding in the field of wind energy: here funding is aimed at the development of wind power plants for offshore operations. Research platforms are being erected in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to test meteorological conditions and the effects on the ecological environment.

• In the field of electricity generation using geothermal heat: the hot-dry-rock process is being further developed at several sites. Furthermore, fundamental questions concerning the geo-scientific and economic conditions for the use of heat from hot deep waters are being examined.

• Research is being conducted into parabolic channels, tower and dish/stirling techniques for solar-thermal power stations with the aim of introducing these products onto the market. Apart from funding for new and further developments in receiver and storage systems, optics and controls, funds are also being provided for the construction of demonstration plants as the basis for commercial power station planning. The “Solarthermics 2000” programme is 11


examining the long-term performance of thermal solar systems using demonstration installations as well as techniques for the seasonal storage of heat.

• Funding in the field of biomass research focuses on obtaining fuels, improving both the technologies for using and the opportunities for exploiting heat, electricity and fuels from biomass, as well as obtaining biogas and the use thereof.

• Research funding in the area of fuel cells is focused on the development of technologies which can lead to less expensive production processes and more reliable operations.

The further development of existing energysupply structures in Germany will pay more heedto the increased use of renewable energies. This applies in particular to the structure ofelectricity grids, which in future must enableboth a greater decentralization of energy production as well as stronger networks over insome cases greater distances. There are alreadysigns that this is the case with the use of windenergy. Changes in the structure of fossil powerstations due to the new buildings required mustbe included in measures to optimize the overallsystem. Approximately 60% of today’s powerstation capacity will have to be replaced by2020. The demand for replacement technologiesin German power stations over the next twodecades will thus create the necessary scope forfar-reaching changes in the type of energy supplies. It is important to make use of thisscope now, and in the future, by providing sustainable energy services both as requiredand in good time.

Sustainable energy supplies, as a national andglobal task, and the contribution of renewableenergies to solving this task demand a stronginternational orientation: Research and techno-logical developments for applications in southernclimate zones and Eastern Europe will have toplay a greater role in future. Here it is a matterof including the extremely wide range of userrequirements – such as energy supplies in ruralareas with poor infrastructure, energy demandin large conurbations and the preparation ofdrinking water by means of sea water de-salination – in the funding concept and closely

linking the use of renewable energies with avery rational use of energy.

This means that international pilot projects arebecoming essential in addition to national measures – always with scientific support and a sound evaluation of the experience gained.

One of the main obstacles to the broader use of renewable energies is the lack of knowledgeabout their functioning and lack of skills in theirapplication. Providing such knowledge is thetask of education and training.

Well-educated people are one of the mostimportant driving forces for innovations and foreconomic and societal progress. Technologieswhich spare resources, ecologically and sociallycompatible forms of trade and industry, butalso social modernization which concentrateson creativity, entrepreneurship and humanresponsibility cannot be realized without a corresponding range of educational services.The Federal Government together with the Länder has therefore introduced the so-called“Programme 21” for sustainable development.This will give important momentum in the following areas:

• Interdisciplinary teaching concepts which underscore the connection between ecological, economical and social aspects on the basis of concrete topics.

• Firms set up by school students to provide experience in sustainable commerce. The many forms of cooperation between schools, local authorities and companies within the framework of sustainable regional development are good examples of the opening of schools to practice-related activities. A good quarter of the schools involved gave clear priority to energy-related topics, including aspects of energy, energy consumption and energy savings. In the meantime, the operation of solar energy plants is a matter of course for a whole number of schools.

• In addition, the topic of energy is being discussed in more complex contexts in class, e.g. within the framework of a sustainability audit or cooperation in a Local Agenda 21 project.

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The Programme 21 will be successfully con-cluded this summer. Now it is a matter of firmlyanchoring this good practice in as many schoolsas possible and implementing the results of theprogramme in day-to-day activities. The FederalGovernment is in the process of tackling thistask together with the Länder and is launchinga corresponding transfer programme.

The United Nations have designated the years2005 to 2014 the decade of “Education for Sustainable Development”. During this decade,we will work intensively to expand and securethe position of education in sustainable develop-ment in the education system and to promoteinternational cooperation in this field.

Apart from education in schools, there is also a growing demand for vocational training in thefield of sustainable development. Considerableexperience has been gathered at approximately20 national conferences involving over 800experts from various institutions in the field ofvocational training at schools, firms and othereducational establishments. This experience hasbeen included in an orientation framework forvocational training. The following criteria havebeen established:

• Central competencies that are relevant to sustainability must be identified and taught as an integral component of professional activities. (Key words here are: systematic andnetworked thinking, the ability to deal with complex ideas and business cycle structures, social sensibility and a high degree of com-petency in the field of communications and counselling, also in an intercultural context.)

• Identifying and teaching specific vocational competencies. (The focus here is on the inclusion of the above mentioned aspects of professional activities by combining them with vocational and methodical topics in a general system of initial and continuing vocational training.)

• Recognizing future-oriented areas of activity in the field of sustainability at an early stage, training the necessary teaching staff, and developing new occupational profiles (preparing for the use of “clean” technologies);this also includes deliberations on “sustain-able” mobility.

• Recognizing new fields of technology and branches of growth in order to put them at the service of society and trade and industry.

The introduction of these processes requiresmeasures and agreements on increased cross-border international cooperation and on thedevelopment of a structure for communicationand dissemination that also takes particularaccount of the requirements of the developingcountries.

In Germany, we are including the guiding principle of sustainable development in all training directives which regulate the company-based part of vocational training. Extensiveactivities are still needed in order to realize thisaim. We are just beginning a programme of pilotschemes to test ways of introducing sustainablemethods in initial and continuing training. By setting up an Internet portal and creating acommunity, the BMBF will establish a jointaddress for the numerous activities of the diversestakeholders in vocational training as suppliersand demanders of knowledge and experience.We plan to steadily expand this communicationsplatform and to give international partners theopportunity to participate in this exchange ofknowledge and experience.

A sustainable supply of energy based increas-ingly on renewable resources is not feasiblewithout qualified production and service staff,with responsibility for building and operatingenergy plants for example, as well as qualifiedpersonnel to advise users and clients. Qualifi-cations are therefore a precondition and in asense a synonym for innovative ability. Innova-tive ability means being fit for the future.

Thank you for your kind attention and thanks also to the organizers of the Forum[ForschungsVerbund Solarenergie]. I would like to wish this event every success.

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Science Forum 2004Walter Rudolf Erdelen • Science and Education as a Key to Development

Mr. Chairman,Your Excellency,Distinguished Participants,Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the head of UNESCO delegation participatingin this “Science Forum on Research, Develop-ment and Education – the Basis for Wide-spreadEmployment of Renewable Energies”, let mefirst say how pleased I am to take part in thisOpening Session of this Forum.

We live in the age of the “knowledge-basedsociety” where knowledge plays an increasinglyimportant role in sustainable social and eco-nomic development. Science and education isan essential and interlinked key to this verydevelopment.

Knowledge relates essentially to science andtechnology, and education and training are vitalin networking and the transmission of know-ledge to build capacity – so that knowledge canbe applied where it is needed. For UNESCO,this includes a priority focus on the developingand least developed countries. For UNESCO,this also includes a focus on applications in science and technology – and this includes,importantly, energy and renewable energy.

The development of science and technologyhas brought tremendous changes to our lives.The exploration of outer space, the developmentof conventional, nuclear and now renewableenergy technologies, the invention of electroniccomputers and a range of other innovationsmark an epoch in the history of civilization. Oneis often tempted to ponder how many new discoveries and innovations are in the pipeline,and how they will affect our lives over the nextfew decades!

It is hard to imagine what our lives would havebeen like without all the benefits which scientificknowledge and engineering skill have given us.The crucial point here, of course, relates to

access, as these benefits are unevenly distributed– there are millions of people who do not havesuch access to these benefits of science andtechnology, who live in poverty and destitution.This presents an ongoing overall challenge forresearch, development and education in scienceand technology, particularly in such an area as energy – where access is very unevenly dis-tributed.

Strategy for Sustainability

The World Summit on Sustainable Developmentand the United Nations’ Millennium Develop-ment Goals place the promotion of sustainabledevelopment and renewable energies high onthe international agenda. In line with UNESCO’sMedium-Term Strategy and our contribution to sustainable energy and development,UNESCO will continue to advocate for energyefficiency, diversification and renewable energy.This includes capacity-building, development of human and institutional resources, awarenessraising and prioritising the use of renewableenergies and provision of related policy advice.There is an emphasis on improving the livingconditions in rural areas of poor countries,especially in the developing countries and smallislands states.

Within the Global Renewable Energy Educationand Training (GREET) Programme and itsregional component, with particular emphasison its African Chapter, we emphasise capacitybuilding and development of co-operation inthe renewable energy sector to promote renew-able energies. Activities focus on the improve-ment of use, maintenance and management of solar energy projects and programmes, andtransfer of technological know-how.

This involves the design and field implementa-tion of training platforms, the elaboration anddissemination of learning and teaching materials, 15

Science and Education as a Key to Development

Walter Rudolf ErdelenUNESCO

Assistant Director-General

for Natural Sciences

[email protected]


introduction of training programmes at all edu-cational levels, setting of educational standardsand certification of centres of excellence toserve as a catalyst. Concurrently, support is givento the definition of national energy strategiesand experimentation of pilot projects focusedon development goals. We also foster advocacyand awareness-raising to stimulate the use of renewable energies to meet the MillenniumDevelopment Goals and to improve living conditions in rural areas. Further extra-budgetaryresources need to be mobilised to extend thescope of activities.

The promotion of renewable energies toaddress developmental goals will be pursued inassociation with UNESCO programmes in theNatural Sciences, Education, Social and HumanSciences, Communication and Information Sectors, and with intergovernmental programmesat UNESCO. Consultations with relevant and competent United Nations agencies and pro-grammes will continue, including participationin the United Nations Ad hoc Inter-Agency Task Force on Energy and cooperation withcompetent national, regional and internationalNGOs.

Raising Awareness

UNESCO has contributed to the World SolarProgramme in raising awareness on potentialand opportunities for utilization of renewableenergy. Projects implemented in this activityhave created awareness at political and in particular government levels. The Hondurangovernment, for example, used the Solar VillageDemonstration Project to source funding formore solar village projects. Electrification ofschools has provided a linkage between educa-tion and energy. Children have become awareof benefits of solar energy applications. Theproject has contributed to broaden children’sknowledge through exposure to new educa-tional technologies using computers, providingaccess to information, and communication via the internet. Through such projects, rural business operatorshave realized opportunities to extend their business operating hours by using solar energy

for lighting. The Honduran project has also contributed to raising awareness of the peoplein the community about the opportunities in micro-enterprises through television and viainternet. Solar village electrification has alsocontributed to raising awareness on HIV/AIDSthrough public media such as television.

Capacity Building

Capacity building in renewable energies throughimplementation of education and training activities is the main focus of the GREET Pro-gramme. These activities have focused on theorganisation of summer schools, training oftrainers and implementation of the RenewableEnergy Training Platform. Training activities aim at enhancing knowledge of managers,engineers, technicians and trainers on use,application and maintenance of renewableenergy technologies.

Learning and teaching materials producedwithin the GREET programme serve as a tool toassist in teaching courses on renewable energyin universities and also as a reference materialfor the scientific community. The RenewableEnergy Training Platform to enhance local capa-city and expertise in renewable energy use andapplications will be duplicated and implement-ed in other countries and regions to developand enhance local capacity building on the useand maintenance of renewable energy systems.This will improve the implementation ofrenewable energy projects and contribute totheir sustainability.

Through the GREET Programme, a series of booksfor use in primary schools has been developedfor incorporation into the school curriculum forEnglish speaking countries in Africa. This ma-terial has contributed to enhancing knowledgeon renewable energy systems. A series of textbooks, composed of six volumes, has been produced and distributed through the Ministriesof Education in 14 Southern African countries.This links to UNESCO’s wider activity under theNew Partnership for Africa’s Development(NEPAD) and cooperation with the AfricanUnion in science and technology.16


UNESCO has also cooperated with Wiley Publi-cations in the production of a “UNESCO EnergyEngineering Series” of learning packages. Thisseries includes, amongst others, titles on SolarElectricity, Geothermal Energy, Electric PowerGeneration, and Energy Planning and Policy.

This series has been most successful, with sometitles already in second edition. Most recently,we have updated and republished the volumeon Geothermal Energy and published a newvolume on Solar Detoxification and two relatedvolumes on Solar Photovoltaic Systems and Project Development. We have also produced a video and booklet entitled “Rays of Hope:Renewable Energy in the Pacific” – which examines the pioneering use of renewable energy in the Pacific islands.

Mr. Chairman,Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me conclude by noting again the overallimportance of research and development, education and training in the knowledge-basedsociety and economy. This is particularly impor-tant in promoting the development and wide-spread employment of renewable energies.

I mentioned at the beginning that knowledgerelates essentially to science and technology,and education and training are vital in network-ing and the transmission of knowledge to buildcapacity – so that knowledge can be appliedwhere it is needed.

To do this, it is essential to create linkages, todevelop and share models and information,learning and teaching materials. This is whathas happened at the solar school project facili-tating internet access in Honduras, and thesolar village project raising awareness on HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.

I also mentioned at the beginning that we needto promote access to the benefits of scienceand technology for the millions of people wholive in poverty. It is no small irony that our planet receives enormous quantities of solarenergy and that much of this energy falls on

developing countries, where many poor peoplelive.

We face a vital challenge to enhance our effortsto focus research, education and training onrenewable energy for the benefit of developingcountries. Promoting access to energy and thebenefits of science and technology is a vitaldimension for poverty reduction in developingand least developed countries.

Finally, let me say that, together with my colleagues from UNESCO, I look forward to theoutcome of your discussions and hope that the Forum will succeed in laying the foundationand taking further actions that will result in amajor drive to improve the world energy situa-tion in this millennium.

I wish you every success in your importantdeliberations and look forward to the results ofyour presentations and discussions.

Thank you.

17

19

Introductory Overviews: Research,Development and Education

• Global Research and Development on Renewables

• UNESCO’s Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme (GREET Programme)

Science Forum 2004

The aim of the following paper is • to emphasise the urgent necessity of

global research and development (R&D) on renewables,

• to discuss the context in which R&D on sustainable energy systems must be viewed,

• to identify the favourable conditions for co-operative R&D and

• to summarise some ideas on the financing of global R&D on renewables.

The paper mostly focuses on public R&D.

Needs for global research anddevelopment on renewables

Transformation of the global energy systemThe transformation of the global energy systemtowards a strictly sustainable energy supplyscheme is one of the main global challenges.Many studies have shown that it is feasible toinstall a world wide sustainable energy system

that is strongly based on renewables, thusavoiding unacceptable climate change and other non-sustainable situations in the futurewhich are related to energy production andconsumption (fig.1).

In all such scenarios the contribution of renewable energy sources to the global energysupply is impressively high. These targets canbe reached only if more or less all countriescontribute actively to the transformation of ourenergy systems. Strong world wide activities in the research and development on renewablesincluding efficient use of energy are an inevitableprerequisite for the success of such a globalundertaking. These activities must be plannedstrategically and they must expand continuouslywhile increasing the utilisation of renewableenergy sources at the same time.

Main topics in R&DFrom today’s point of view the main relevanttopics of R&D are [2]:

21

Joachim Luther • Global Research and Development on Renewables

Joachim LutherGRA, FVS, Fraunhofer ISE

(Germany)

[email protected]

Global Research and Developmenton Renewables

Figure 1Exemplary path for thetransformation of theglobal energy system[1].

2000 2020 2040 2100 year

energy demand per year

1400

1000

600

200

[E/a]

geothermal

other renewables

solar thermal (heat only)

solarpower(PV and solarthermalgeneration)

windbiomasse(advanced)

biomasse(traditional)

hydroelectricity

nuclear power

gas

coal

oil

This special scenario stipulates an extremely strong global economic growth. Even under the assumption of a significant increase inenergy efficiency this results in a global energy demand that is by 2050 approximately three times larger than today. By the end of thecentury, the energy supply is mainly based on renewable sources. For a limited period geological CO2 sequestration is applied. Undersuch assumptions the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere will not be higher than 450 ppm. This will lead to a global warming probably not exceeding 2°C.

Science Forum 2004Joachim Luther • Global Research and Development on Renewables

• Development of sustainable technologies: energy conversion, transport, storage and systems,

• Management of the global transformation process of the energy system, political, institutional, and economic schemes, including the monitoring of the transfor-mation process,

• Implementation of new energy technologies into societies.

Thus, non-technological issues have to beaddressed by the research community to a significant extent.

Technology oriented R&DIn the area of technology oriented R&D, themain goals are • cost reduction (see below) and • development of new technologies for the

energy market. Some examples of technologies to be (further)developed are: solar and energy optimised (lowcost) buildings for various climates; water tech-nologies (clean water based on clean energy);offshore technologies for wind; photovoltaicpower plants utilising optical concentration;distributed electricity generation schemesincluding optimised grid structures and sustain-able energy carriers for mobile applications, just to name a few.

Cost reduction through R&DAs with most emerging technologies during the early stages of market introduction, costreduction is the most important issue forrenewable energy technologies. Cost reductionin renewables will be achieved in particularthrough:• optimised manufacture (economy of scale), • higher efficiencies of energy conversion, • less material consumption and • longer technical life of components. In order to achieve progress in these fields, targeted R&D is indispensable.

An impressive example is the achieved cost re-duction experienced in photovoltaics (solar cells).The four points mentioned above contributedjointly to the steady decrease of the price experience shown in fig. 2. Without strong and focused R&D, such a curve tends to displaya lower gradient. Benefiting from the profits of R&D, photovoltaic electricity will be cost effective within a reasonable time span, providedthat external costs are implemented in theenergy price system world wide.

Extensive global R&D on renewablesAlthough a first supply of reliable renewableenergy technologies is available today, it will be necessary to activate further strong R&Dresources world wide in order to bring downthe costs of renewables, to develop new andregionally optimised technologies and to imple-ment renewables into the different societies.This task can not be mastered by a small num-ber of countries. In order to accomplish thenecessary transformation of the global energysystem in due time, almost all countries andregions have to be involved in targeted R&D aswell as in the manufacture of renewable energycomponents and systems.

Context of R&D on renewables

R&D on renewables is not an end in itself. Thefocus of the R&D must be directed according to the demand of (regional) energy supplyschemes and the industrial strategies (includingexport) specific to each country. Furthermore,in order to be effective, R&D on renewables22

Figure 2Price experience curve for photovoltaicmodules.

100 e/Wp

10

1

0,1

10 1.000 100.000 10.000.000

no R&D

R&D

Prices on the global market are plotted against the cumu-lated world wide shipment (logarithmic scales). Historicallyeach doubling of the shipment resulted on the average ina price reduction of 20%. The extrapolation of such expe-rience curves is of course speculative. Nevertheless, thereare sound technological arguments that a further pricereduction by a factor of at least two or even a factor of threeis possible and likely. An essential prerequisite for this pricereduction is strong R&D. Without this R&D, the curve willtend to show a lower price reduction characteristic.


must be incorporated into existing academicstructures or be developed in parallel to theevolving academic system.

Energy supply structures and R&DSustainable energy supply structures basedcompletely on the import of knowledge andtechnology do not seem to be favourable forcountries and regions. Local or regional R&Dconstitutes a good basis to optimise energy systems and to reduce vulnerability. Besides, the yield of renewable energy sources and thetypes of optimal technologies depend, in part,on local (climatic) conditions. Thus, specifictechnologies have to be developed – mostly bymeans of local or regional R&D.

Industry and R&DA successful transformation of the global energysystem will require renewable energy industriesin most countries. In order to be competitive inthe world market, it will be essential for suchindustry to focus on certain technologies. Sinceindustry and R&D on energy technologiesdepend mutually on each other and since localR&D offers a considerable advantage for industry,it will be essential to tune local or regional R&Dactivities carefully with the strategies of industry.Private actors’ R&D in industry and public R&Dshould complement each other.

R&D on renewables and the academic systemIn order to be efficient, R&D on renewables hasto be embedded amongst others into national orregional academic systems. An excellent trainingin science or engineering constitutes a R&D onrenewables. This does not mean that a standard(canonical) academic training is an indispensableprerequisite for efficient R&D on renewables: aninnovative structuring function of renewableenergy R&D is well conceivable within the acad-emic education. Semiconductor physics, as partof solid state physics, can be taught well usingphotovoltaics as a leading example. The sameconcept can be used regarding mechanical engi-neering and wind power or electrochemistry andfuel cells. Furthermore, a focus on solving realand pressing problems (here: the future energysupply) fosters an interdisciplinary approach toscience which is a general prerequisite for futureoriented academic activities and a great advan-tage to industry.

Co-operative global R&D onrenewables

Without any doubt, co-operative global R&D isdesirable when extensive capacity building andlarge-scale R&D activities have to be initiated ina short time span. In order to find the optimalform of coordinated capacity building and R&Dactivities and global co-operative action, poten-tial sources of conflicts have to be analysed andidentified. From such an analysis, optimal con-ditions for global co-operations may be derived.

Areas of tensionThe principal advantages of joining forces mayin part be compensated by conflicts that canarise in national and international R&D co-oper-ations. Examples of advantages versus conflictareas are: • synergies in R&D versus competition for

intellectual property rights, • open information transfer versus unbalanced

opportunities of the partners to transform ideas into innovations,

• enhancement of coherence in R&D through binding co-ordination versus the reduction of diversity of scientific ideas and

• control of R&D via targeted management versus freedom of science.

The structured informality of innovation networkspromises to combine the conflicting advantagesbest without compromising individual interests.

Favourable conditions for global co-operation in R&DFrom this short compilation of possible areas oftension, favourable conditions may be derivedunder which global co-operation will prosper: • if complementary skills and/or interests of

co-operating partners are given, • if the scientific and technological problems

to be solved exceed the capacities of the individual partner countries or institutions and

• if sufficient budgets are available for international R&D clusters on renewables

In any case “complementary skills and/or interests” and “sufficient budgets” that willgenerate a stable and fruitful international R&D co-operation are the key points here.

23


Financing global R&D onrenewables

In contrast to the unquestionable needs fornational, regional and global R&D on renew-ables, the public budgets in this area have been reduced considerably during the lastdecades. As an example, Fig. 3 shows theresearch, development and demonstration(RD&D) budget of 23 International EnergyAgency (IEA) member countries. Most of themoney is still directed towards non-sustainable[1] energy technologies. This is definitely not in accord with the urgent necessity of a trans-formation of our energy systems towards sustainability within the next decades.

The need for strongly increased global R&Dactivities on renewables calls for new andstrong budget sources. A large number of proposals exists how to raise needed funds [1].The most important seem to be the following: • The R&D budget for renewables of all

industrialised countries should on the average be increased by a factor of ten until 2020. A large part of these funds should be used for global R&D.

• Financing of national and regional R&D in other countries should be realised through partnership activities from industry, private investments and as far as possible by governments.

• Financing of global R&D should be realised through charges on “emission trading”, “clean development mechanism” and “joint implementation”.

Benefits of global R&D onrenewables

The main benefits of strongly fostering R&D onrenewables on a national, regional and globalscale may be summarised as follows: • enabling a strictly sustainable energy system, • reducing global conflicts, • abatement of energy poverty and • setting up new high technology industries

with new products for the markets, strong growth rates and stable employment.

Without dedicated measures to set up a real co-operative, sufficiently funded global R&Dsystem on renewables, these important benefitswill not materialise in time.

Literature

[1] World in Transition – Towards SustainableEnergy Systems, Earthscan, London, ISBN 1-85383-882-9,http://www.wbgu.de/wbgu_jg2003_engl.pdf

[2] Research and Development – The Basis forWide-spread Employment of RenewableEnergies, Thematic Background Paper,renewables 2004 conference, Bonn 2004,http://www.renewables2004.de/pdf/tbp/TBP07-research_development.pdf

[3] IEA Energy Technology R&D Statistics Service, http://library.iea.org/rdd/eng/ReportFolders/Rfview/Explorerp.asp

24

Figure 3Public RD&D budgetof 23 IEA membercountries [3]

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 Year

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0

Mill

ion

USD

Power & Storage TechnRenewable EnergyNuclear Fission/FusionFossil Fuels

Science Forum 2004Osman Benchikh • UNESCO’s GREET Programme

Capacity Building for Human Resources and Renewable Energy

In every development process, there is a press-ing need to increase the availability of qualifiedhuman resources. Developing countries tend to experience a crucial lack in precisely this area.They are confronted with many difficulties indeveloping scientific education. It is costly toteach in these countries and there is a lack ofequipment and laboratory materials. Moreover,they often lack capacity for local production.Science and technology help forming a worldview, including values, which stimulates creativecapabilities, open mindedness, and a perceptionof nature and the environment that providepeople with indispensable tools to cope with a globalizing world. The rational use of scientificand technological progress can contribute powerfully to solving development problems,particularly those of hunger and disease.Increasingly, science is becoming a direct pro-ductive force that underpins economic growthand social progress.

The role of training in the scientific field isapparent at three levels: for upper echelon staffand researchers, for mid-level technicians andfor qualified workers. In recent years, importantachievements have been accomplished in thisregard, particularly in developing countries. Muchwork has been done in order to ensure a higherpriority for the scientific teaching process, bothto improve its quality and to direct it more to-wards solving problems related to everyday life.

A diversified training programme is needed tomeet increasing demands for qualified personnelin the developing countries. This training shouldconsider the latest developments in science andtechnology. It must strengthen competenceand technical polyvalence, in such a way as toproduce a technical staff of high quality in

judgement and decision making. Both of thesequalities are necessary for project planning andmanagement, and for being able to identify the most appropriate application and utilisationfor local conditions.

There is a particular need for training and education in energy technologies due to the keyrole energy plays in sustainable developmentfor many other issues. In light of energy costsand energy’s important role in the economy,recent growth in energy consumption has ledall countries to formulate and execute variousstrategies in three interrelated areas to:a) improve the efficiency of energy use; b) increase energy conservation; c) explore and develop new and renewable

sources of energy.

At the same time, growing awareness of the rolethat renewable energies can play in the globalenergy system, especially for the supply of energyin rural areas, most countries are showing in-creased interest in creating appropriate trainingprogrammes related to these energy sources.

The training needs, important in the short termas well as in the mid term, can be understoodin the context, that the desire of using renewableenergies combined with the decrease in equip-ment costs stimulates the countries to conductresearch on new equipment and on the utili-sation of renewable energies.

It is evident that all programmes using renew-able energy equipment depend upon the avail-ability of specialists of various levels, who areable to use and properly maintain the suppliedand installed equipment. Again, this underlinesthe crucial need for the training of specialisedpersonnel. Several countries have strongly confirmed their interest in training staff andspecialists who will be able to rationally utiliserenewable energies. 25

UNESCO’s Global Renewable EnergyEducation and Training Programme(GREET Programme)

Osman Benchikh

UNESCO

Coordinator Energy

and Renewable Energies/

Division of Basic and

Engineering Sciences

[email protected]


In order to be effective, training in the field ofrenewable energy must be ensured along four distinct axes: researchers, decision makers(engineers, economists, administrators, etc.),local maintenance technicians and users. Itshould concentrate on the following elements:• progressive reinforcement of research centres

and the development of qualified personnel,• establishing better coordination between

energy needs and the choice of appropriate equipment,

• creating maintenance teams capable of interacting with the rural population in order to solve technical problems, they might encounter, and to provide them with necessary information on operating installed equipment,

• raising the users’ awareness on how to use this equipment effectively.

Following the identification of training candi-dates, every effort should be made to minimisethe duration of training, especially for decisionmakers and those engaged in field activities.

The Way Forward for Renewable Energies

The necessity for renewable energyThe goal of education and training is to preparea population for its future. In order to meetactual training and education needs, one mustfirst examine societal needs for the first part ofthe 21st century, that is, for the period 2000 to2030.

Energy is vital and essential for any society, buthas two contradictory aspects. Firstly, it reflectsthe standard of living and the progress status ofa nation. It also represents growing awarenessconcerning the level of risks that a given nationwould face in attempting to satisfy its energyneeds. The first half of the 21st century will certainly see rapid progress1 in both the level ofenergy consumption and in the diversificationof energy production methods, which can belinked to several factors: • Population growth especially in Asia,

Latin America and Africa will lead to overall increases in energy consumption.2

• Ecological risks associated with some energy sources are becoming increasingly evident

26

Figure 1Needs in term of elec-tricity Access

1 Rapid, means here: “in some decades”. It is the required time for a new energy source to become part of the energy system,even when a voluntary policy is continuously practised.2 Quantitatively, the future population growth is estimated with a good precision contrary to the development level.The scenarios for the future on this subject must take into consideration mere realistic hypotheses.

NorthAmerica<< 1%

Latin America56 M. (13.4%)

Sub- Sahara509 M. (77,4%)

Population with access

Population without access

Calculations based on data from World Energy Outlook 2002 -IRA

Australia -Japan - NZ<< 1 %

India 580 M.(57%)

Asia - Oceania366 M. (57%)

China 17,6 M.(1,4%)North Africa &

Middle East29 M. (9%)

East Europe -Ex-URSS 16 M.(4.7%)

Europe << 1%


and worrisome. Two examples include the Earth surface warming due to the greenhouseeffect caused by gas emissions3 and the uncertainty regarding methods for long-term storage of nuclear residues.

• The need of humankind to follow a strong policies of improving energy efficiency in the North as well as in the South.

• The need to strengthen diversification of energy resources4 and, more importantly, the growing need to use renewable energies in the future.

The preceding constraints lead to inevitablechanges in energy strategies requiring a long-term obligation to move toward an energy flux,rather than continuing to rapidly deplete fossilfuel stocks.

Renewable Energy CredibilityThe successful path to a future sustainable energy system will depend on four conditions:technical credibility, economic credibility, ecological credibility and political credibility.Unless all four of these conditions are satisfied,the massive growth in the contribution ofrenewable energy during the 21st century willnot occur.

Regarding technical credibility, the generationof energy splits up in the production of heat, of electricity and of fuels. There are numerousrenewable energy technologies and applica-tions having market potentials, as shall be listedbriefly5:

Heat production: biomass if not causing defore-station and desertification; district heatingthrough geothermal energy; solar architecture;

27

Figure 2Solar Energy Reserves(yearly) > 2130TWhforecast 2020

3 The conten of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by 50% since the beginning of the industrial era. The human activities(combustion of carbon oil and gas, the change in living habits) are mainly responsible. According to the “IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change” (1996), “the earth surface temperature in average increased globally by 0.3 o 0.6°C since the begin-ning of the 19th century…. Analysis of a group of elements suggests that, there is a perceptible influence of man on the globalclimate.” This climate change evolution will continue with very serious consequences. We mention, as an example the more orless realistic figures: a warming-up of 2°C and the increase of ocean’s level by 50cm by the year 2100.4 This trend will not evolve automatically. In the 19th century coal was dominating while for the 20th century it is oil. Fossil fuelsaccumulated during hundreds of million of years are being burned today at such a rate that they will be largely depleted in fewcenturies. For example, oil crisis in 1973 and 1979 have been overcome due to major discoveries (the North Sea, Alaska, Siberia).However, the likely absence of such discoveries in the future will affect the energy situation if the oil share in the energy balancecontinues as it is.5 For further details, refer to the following EU documents: “Renewable Energies in Europe”, Int. J. of solar Energy No 1 – 4 (1994);and T. Wrixon, A.M.E. Rooney, W. Plaz “Renewable Energy 2000” (Springer Verlag, 1993).

North America> 180TWh

Latin America>270 TWh

Based on data from B. Dessus & UNESCO´s Summer School of rural electrification

Australia -Japan - NZ> 130 TWh

India > 180 TWh

Asia - Oceania> 270 TWh

China > 220 TWh

East Europe -Ex-URSS > 130 TWh

Middle East> 200 TWh

Europe > 90 TWh

Africa> 450 TWh600

850

1200

1700

1950

2450


solar heating for crop drying, water heaters andspace heating.

Electricity production: hydroelectricity if notflooding local environments; wind generators;thermal power plants burning organic residues;solar thermal power plants; stand-alone photo-voltaics particularly for rural electrification orgrid-connected and integrated in buildings.

Fuel production: alcohol from sugar cane;“green fuels” from biomass so called biofuels.Some of these are still in the research anddevelopment phase and show a reasonable, oreven significant, level of progress, some are,with respect to economic credibility at the operational level and provided satisfactory results.

Particularly, in specific contexts certain renew-able energy technologies are already todaycompetitive or nearly competitive, as for examplehydroelectricity and green fuels,or in somelocalities and under appropriate conditions windgenerators, stand-alone photovoltaics, and geo-thermal and solar heat. With political supportthis competitiveness can often already launchtechnologies in the market. So, there is an actualniche of competitiveness, which will increase in the medium term as a function of researchresults and market growth.

At this point, it is important to introduce theconcept of the social cost of energy. This reflectsthe actual cost paid for the consumption of energy, not only by consumers but also by citizens in general. In reality, the costs of classicalenergy sources are currently under-estimated,as they do not include important ‘external’costs, related to factors such as environment

protection, research subventions or the need to transmit a heritage unburdened or negativelyinfluenced by present consumption to futuregenerations. This problem is treated, for examplein reference.6 Increasingly, specialists are recom-mending the internalization of external costs.This would lead to the formal improvement of the competitiveness of renewable energies,which, in general, have a limited ecologicalimpact.

All the above-mentioned techniques producemore energy than is necessary for their manu-facture and installation. For example, photo-voltaic systems have an energy return period oftwo to four years, compared to a lifespan of at least 20 years. In most cases, the ecologicalbalance of renewable sources of energy is betterthan all other sources of energy. It is importantto recall that a pro-active policy in the energyeconomy is beneficial for the whole planet, fromboth the economic and ecological points ofview. “The best energy is that which we do notproduce.”

In addition, most of these techniques are ecologically benign (dams that retain waterreserves of extended surfaces are an exception).The associated social costs of renewable energyare extremely small. As demonstrated by fieldinquiries in Great Britain, wind generators are very well accepted by the local population,proving the ecological credibility.

In reality, all of the above will depend on thepolitical will of energy decision makers, bothwithin individual countries and at the globallevel. Over the past 20 years, many major countries have shown a firm and constant willto develop renewable energies. State and private credits granted to renewable energies in these countries have increased on a regularbasis. In addition, the European Union has adynamic policy of research and development.Some other countries, in which public opinionis strongly against nuclear energy, are now atthe forefront of the movement to utilise renew-able energies. A smaller number of countriesare more reluctant, but still active. Amongdeveloping countries, India, Brazil, China,

28

figure 3Job Creation for Energy Production

6 O. Hohmeyer, R.L. Ottinger, Social Costs of Energy (Springer Verlag, 1994).

Bioenergy 15 %(114.893)

Photovoltaic 27 % (198852)

Nuclear 22 %(160407)

Gas 8 %(58243)

Coal 15 % (107.292)

Oil 13 % (94.300)


Morocco and others are pro-active in someaspects; in 1993 the World Bank started financ-ing renewable energy in these countries.

Nothing guarantees the permanence of a constant dynamic policy in favour of renewableenergy. This depends on the political credibility.However, it is generally safe to presume thatrenewable energies will become more valuedfor their two favourable characteristics:• Flexibility – the possibility of creating local

energy sources, hopefully to complement and compete with the supply from large central grids.

• Responsiveness – the possibility of meeting the rising expectations related to sustainable development and environmental protection. The plan of implementation resulting from the World Summit on Sustainable Develop-ment (Johannesburg, 2002) and concerns on climate fragility expressed at Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) highlight the major role that renewable energies can play in both issues.

Admittedly, one of the principal obstacles facingthe widespread use of these technologies is thelack of information. The GREET Programme aimsprecisely at improving knowledge on intrinsicmerits that renewable energy possesses.Increased awareness of these merits should lead

to a growing interest of use and applications ofrenewable energies at worldwide level. Job creationComparing all sources of energy productionrenewable energy sources represent one of themost important reservoirs for job creation.7 Forthe production of the same amount of energy,the job creation growth of renewable energiesis higher than that of other sources such as gas,coal, oil and nuclear (see Fig. 3).

Comparing jobs created by the different formsof energy (see Fig. 3), biomass and photovoltaicsgenerate the highest number of jobs. As theseresources are particularly abundant in develop-ing countries struggling with rural electrification,

Figure 4Direct Jobs in Operation& Maintenance Created by RE Electrification

Figure 5Direct Jobs in Operation& Maintenance Created by RE Electrification

7 J. Percebois, Vol. 2, Summer School „Solar Electricity for Rural and Isolated Zones“, Ellipse/UNESCO, 1993 29

Sub-Sahara>2.480.000 jobs

Latin America>2.86.000 jobs

North Africa>78.000 jobs Middle East

>80.000 jobs

India>2.970 000 jobs

Asia - Oceania>1.800 000 jobs

China>920 000 jobs

Scenario 100% electrifiedRef.Osman Benchikh GREET Program- UNESCO

3

2

1

0

Jobs created(millions)

20 % 50 % 100 %

Scenarios of electrification (%)

India

Africa

Asia-Oceania

China

LatinAmerica

MiddleEastEast Europe& Ex URSS

4.367.000

1.815.000

8.734.000new jobs

in theWorld


the use of renewable energies apart from jobscreation will help to improve the local economyand ensure a better quality of life and deceasepoverty.In only a few years, figures have passed from1.5 to 5.6 jobs per installed megawatt – a signof a more advanced industry. This brings tomind an indication from the World Watch Re-search Institute regarding the manpower neededto build a piece of equipment producing1000 GWh annually:

These numbers will certainly decrease in thefuture. However, renewable energies will remainan important source for job creation comparedto conventional energy sources. In general,renewable energies have high upfront investmentcosts, but lower operating costs despite of thehigher employment rates. For conventionalsources of energy have high operating capitalcosts due to the commodities like gas, coal, oilor uranium needed to operate power plants,not to mention the high costs of grid mainte-nance of centralised energy systems.

Those quantitative comparisons must be com-pleted by new studies, updated and generalisedto other technologies. They should also be performed for different regions, including ruralzones of developing countries where renewableenergies (basically photovoltaic) play an impor-tant role.

We can provisionally conclude that variousrenewable energy technologies are a significantsource for new jobs. In just a few years, tens ofthousands of jobs have already been created.The locations and natures of these jobs, as wellas their number, are still evolving. Thus, it isclearly a sector for which an appropriate trainingpolicy seems absolutely necessary.

Training on renewable energy8

Current situationEducation in the area of renewable energy iscertainly a field where almost everything stillneeds to be done. The current lack of ambitiouseducational programmes can be explained bytwo principal factors:• the multi-disciplinary and diverse nature of

the subject, and • general non-recognition of renewable energies

as a major component of the energy issue.

Specialisation in this field assumes a generalknowledge of diversified technologies and theiradaptation to different contexts and differentfields of applications. At present, no specific,degree-granting university training and education programmes exist in the field ofrenewable energy. Another problem is the lackof information on the topic in general. Both of these issues must be adequately addressed.

1. Traininga) There is no specific secondary school course

on renewable energy that is capable of capturing the interest of young people and orienting them toward choosing a career in this field.

b) There is a lack of coordination among the diversified activities related to renewable energy within the education field.

c) At the university level, very little information is available concerning prerequisites and the procedures that could lead to a degree or training programme in the renewable energy area.

d) Training needs in the area of renewable energy are poorly defined. Organisations concerned with energy and renewable energy issues, interested in training their own personnel, should be identified.

e) Very little information is available concerning needed training programmes to be initiated: specific technical as well as practical courses, advanced education, summer schools, etc.

Poor distribution of research and training centres is another issue. In many cases, the

30

Sector No. of persons requiredNuclear 100Coal 116Solar thermal 248Wind generation 542

8 Since the GREET Programme has been founded under World Solar Programme the following remarks regarding the trainingneeds for renewable energies will mainly focus on solar energy.


regions favoured by a high potential of solarenergy and confronted by a deficit in electricity– mainly rural areas – are those that have thesmallest number of specialised training centres.Similar discrepancies can be seen in the case ofphotovoltaics, whose potential is enormous onthe international scale.

2. Lack of informationa) Both non-experts and the general public

have very little information on the current state of the art in renewable energies, or on the true potential of these resources. More-over, the limited information they do have is often distorted by ‘fashions’ and ‘anti-fashions’ related to the environment and energy economy, particularly when this concerns renewable energies.

b) Very few practical educational manuals about renewable energies are addressed to the general public, especially for the youth adapted material is missing.

c) Very little information is addressed to secondary school students on the prospects and employment chances that would be gained by specialising in the renewable energy field.

Fig.1, 2 and 6 combined show that the veryregions with greatest energy poverty have the

largest potentials but the least training capacitiesin relation to their solar photovoltaic energypotential.

Training needsGeneral aspects of the needs for training areanalysed from two angles:• What should be the foci for the educational

process?

It is evident that renewable energies must become competitive to provide sustainableenergy and thus that market development must be fostered. To this end, current needs are the actual prospects of the market.• What courses should be taught?

Training and education should be oriented tothe demand of the market. Production, use and application of renewable energy systemsrequire diversified components. These com-ponents should be improved by intensiveresearch and development and by more efficientindustrial production. However, it is not thefundamental research which presents the principal barrier to their development, but it is the lack of trained personnel to design,install, and maintain the systems. Most of thenew jobs to be created do not require a radically new competence. The manpower

31

Figure 6 Distribution of trainingand research centersby region9

9 UNESCO international directory of renewable energy information sources and research centres.

Latin America20,7 %

North America14,8 %

Europe25,5 %

Africa11,4 %

Asia/Oceania26,6%

East Europe1 %


needs vary according to the different projectstages and the systems’ components. This canbe summarized as follows:

• meteorologists and analysts for the identification of sites and appropriate programs,

• metal workers with good competence in hydraulics for the assembly of wind rotors and towers or assembly of solar collectors,plumbers and tube workers for the instal-lation of solar heaters,

• electricians for photovoltaic and wind energy systems,

• carpenters and building craftsmen for the integration of solar systems in buildings and power plants,

• architects for the urban planning and building design,

• engineers and designers in several sectors: civil engineering, power electronics, electric engineering, process control, quality control, chemistry etc.

The various technicians mentioned above needan appropriate training based upon their original background. For instance, engineers,designers and architects do have sufficient basicknowledge. However a radical change in theirusual behavior is necessary. They are used towork with conventional systems in always thesame environment, while the renewable energytechnologies depend on the site and climate as they also interact with consumers. They donot offer universal solutions (except for someapplications, such as calculators and solar light-ing kits). This constitutes one of the principalbarriers to their wide-spread use. In general, they

require more work than conventional systemsfor their design, adaptation, and use. This impliesthe creation of more jobs in order to get sustain-able and efficient systems.

Specific training aspects10

In order to improve training of researchers,engineers, technicians and superior technicians,several specific considerations should be takeninto account. This is also true for the informationrequired by decision makers, local elected representatives, consultants and the generalpublic. As an example, the following developssome of these considerations with a focus onthe training of technicians. This is the mostimportant and necessary action for the successof a renewable energy programme. Thus, it will be presented first.

Training for techniciansTechnicians play a principal role in all aspects of solar energy projects: beginning with the levels of laboratory work, test centres, industrialproduction of components, commercial dis-tribution, and system assembly, reaching to theoptimisation of system design and size, whichshould be based on the precise needs of indivi-duals or the village community, installation,operation and maintenance, in order to ensurethe best quality of energy service. The successof solar projects will not be achieved unlesseach step is realised successfully by competenttechnicians. Thus, the most important require-ment is the availability of competent techniciansto ensure the installation, repair and mainte-nance of systems. Rural electrification will beachieved through technicians in local networksof service businesses.

32

Figure 7 (left)Contribution of components to systems fault

Figure 8 (right)Time taken to repair a fault (average inAfrica)

10 O. Benchikh, UNESCO, “Renewable Energy education and Trainig Program”.

Lights 20%

Controllers 25 %

Workmanship 5 %

Batteries 44%

Others 5 %

Panels 1%

Less than amonth 20 %

over 6 months10 %

1–3 months50 %3–6 months

20 %


Past experience reveals that, even if photo-voltaic modules are of an extraordinary quality,they are subject to failures. These are mostoften caused by defects in classical components(switches, batteries, power conditioning, connections, etc.).

If one can rectify them in due time, such problems will be without consequences, but it is regrettable to neglect these aspects ofafter-sales service. So, there are very preciseneeds for training technicians in specialties.

Technical education institutes are obviously thebest places to carry out this training. Therefore,institutes should work in close relations with the solar testing centres, particularly where it is possible to use their technical facilities to supporttraining and education.

Continued education is another importantaspect to consider for technician training. It should permit technicians qualified in other disciplines to acquire, in a relatively short time,the knowledge necessary to master one of theabove-mentioned specialties. Organising thistype of training represents one way of ensuringthe formation of solar technicians.

The availability of high quality, specialised litera-ture is a necessary and complementary aspectof technicians’ training. Technicians will benefitgreatly by acquiring material such as: • Technicians’ guide or handbook that collates,

in a condensed manner, the theoretical results, schematic diagrams, basic formulas, rules and practical recommendations that would be useful to solar technicians.

• Documentation on components and solar equipment, which could serve as a kind of

‘user's guide’, indicating suppliers, cost, performance, best ratio of quality /price, etc.

Training for researchersOne must underline the importance of promot-ing a research programme in the relatively new sector of solar chemistry, which is dedicatedto fuel production. It is convenient also to mention other research topics that are alreadywell established, but should at least continue or even be amplified.

First of all, it is important to consider researchon photocells and photovoltaic systems. Theperformance and cost of these systems stillneed to be improved substantially. As an out-come to the rural electrification programmeand resulting market expansion, progress in this field will be accelerated. This dynamismwould lead to an increase in industrial effortsand justify the reinforcement of research facilities in this sector.

Universities and schools of engineering, in thecountries of the North and of the South, mustcommitt to take up the mission of formingtomorrow’s researchers. In turn, these individualswill ensure progress in the GREET Programme.The following actions can be adopted now tohelp these institutions achieve their mission:• Reinforce theoretical and practical education

in the basic disciplines, upon which the research depends. Within this frame, several other disciplines should be considered amongst the first rank: solid-state physics, physics of materials, molecular physics, thermo-chemistry, photochemistry, thermal sciences and thermodynamics.

• Define research topics in the field of photo-voltaic (photocells, photo-chemistry, and solar fuels) for student thesis or graduate projects.

• Incorporate these research topics into a global vision of the role of renewable energiesamong the energy resources for the 21st

century (analysis of energy supply and demand, economic considerations, and environmental constraints).

• Organise cooperation programmes amongst higher education institutions, in the North and South, on research related to solar energy.This collaboration could be made through 33

Figure 9Fault occurences inSolar PV installations

Not working 10 % Working,failedbefore 18 %

Working, never failed 72 %


common studies of scientific projects and could lead to student exchanges.

• Create a ‘think tank’ (under the framework of the World Solar Summit, for example) on the training of researchers in the disciplines that would support the progress of solar energy. The task of this group would be to define the actions to be taken for training researchers, to elaborate a strategy, and to aid university departments in establishing such programmes.

Training of engineersThe realisation of renewable energy programmes,particularly solar rural electrification, constitutesa large industrial project for the coming decades.Industrialised countries can have an appreciablecontribution in this area, which will also have abeneficial impact on job creation. This dynamiccould help generate a domestic industry withthe capacity to significantly contribute to thoseprogrammes as the GREET Programme.

The industrial boom foreseen in solar and windelectricity, as well as in passive architecture,requires a new generation of engineers whosework, initiatives and competence will be thebest guarantee for success. There is a clear need to ensure the development and training of future engineers who will have the task ofcreating, organising and establishing the solarindustry of the future.

The required fields of competence for engineer-ing curricula are identical to those mentionedabove for the researchers: solid-state physics,physics of materials, molecular physics, thermo-chemistry photochemistry, thermal sciencesand thermodynamics. In addition, they wouldrequire expertise in power electronics, electro-technology, and fluid mechanics.

In this educational process, practical aspectsshould have top priority. In fact, the coursecontents should leave a large portion for expe-rimental work and for projects related to realequipment and full-scale installations. There is a strong interest in establishing the training in-stitutions for engineers near solar testing centres,of which a certain number already exists.

Specialised education and training in renewableenergy leading to a university degree, at theMaster’s level, represents a programme thatcould be proposed for both researchers andengineers working in this field. This type ofeducation would allow planners and those whocarry out renewable energy programmes tohave access to complete information and know-how within a reasonable period of time(18 months).

Continued education represents another important aspect for the training of engineers.In fact, this would allow engineers who specialised in other disciplines to acquire, duringa minimum of time, sufficient knowledge toenable them to work efficiently in a new field.Short training courses, such as summer schools,are very responsive to this need. The annualsummer school on ‘solar electricity for rural andisolated zones’ organised by UNESCO presentsan example of action in this direction. This initiative should be encouraged, continued, andeven extended to other sectors such as biomassand wind energy, as well as other renewableenergies.

To summarize, the following recommendationscan be made:

• Encourage and support the activities of solar testing centers to promote their contribution in the education and training of engineers.

• Promote the engineering teaching of the above mentioned disciplines and encourage introduction of renewable energy topics on the occasion of practical training in enterprises,graduation projects, practical work, etc.

• Organize the exchange of students of engineering schools from the North and South, in a thoughtful study on topics related to renewable energy projects.

• Respond to the needs related to continued education on renewable energies. The model of summer schools programs should be reinforced and expanded.

• Set up an international advisory committee on education and training of engineers in order to elaborate a strategy in the capacity building and human resources development area.

34


Information for decision makers, locally elected representatives and service technicians One of the difficulties to be overcome in promoting these programmes is convincingdecision makers of the solid basis of these proposals, in order to get their support. Thecurrent context falls short by far of beingfavourable for such action. The current low cost of oil products and the existence of othertechnologies – considered, correctly or incor-rectly, to be more credible – create a degree of uncertainty, scepticism and even hostilitytowards solar technologies amongst decisionmakers and experts. This difficult situation can also be linked to the lack of general know-ledge of the results and successes of solar technologies in recent years.

This insufficiency of information on renewableenergies is due to the limitations of the facilitiesoffered to solar researchers in the past. A realeffort is needed to improve general knowledgeoutside the solar research community.

Past experience shows that the main obstacle to the development of solar technology is theindifference or opposition of electricity-produc-ing and distributing companies. This is coupledto the indifference of decision makers. For anelectricity planner, rural electrification usuallymeans the development and the extension ofthe existing grid. A locally elected representative,who does not have a good knowledge of thevarious available technologies, may simply goback to the national electricity utility. The finalresult is that the safest solution is adoptedeither by inertia or by tradition.

It is therefore necessary to convince both electricity utility staff and local representativesthat the adoption of solar technologies is abonus card for all stakeholders. Decentralisedsolar technologies are not necessarily antago-nistic to interconnected networks, but ratherare complementary to them. Certain electricity utilities hold this viewpoint, especially when the construction of new power stations or theelectricity grid extension encounter financial,ecological or regulatory difficulties.

In developing countries, the concept of ’pre-electrification’ would result in promoting certain solar technologies as a first step towardsthe construction of an interconnected network.Solar energy’s best ally is the electrical engineerwho understands that it is not a competitor of,but rather a tool for the development of elec-tricity supply. A major effort to improve generalknowledge and training in this field is still needed.

Actions required for the development of generalknowledge programmes oriented towards decision makers should include:• Organising seminars, workshops or summer

schools that target decision makers and experts related to other energy fields. The goal should be to inform them about possiblefuture solar applications, including the anti-cipated progress and economic aspects.

• Developing presentations on the possibilities of solar technology market penetration in the form of alternative scenarios.

• Reporting on the prospects of renewable energies in scientific and economic journals.

• Organising technical visits to the most outstanding solar energy installations.

• Producing audio-visual materials that illustrate existing solar installations, as well as future prospects for these technologies.

Information to the publicTraining and information activities, similar tothose elaborated in the previous section, shouldequally be undertaken for the general public. At present, most people are unaware of most ofthe achievements, possibilities and prospects of solar technologies. In countries where solarprogrammes could be implemented, or wherethe population would have direct contact withsolar equipment, this information programmewould join that for users.

There is much work to be undertaken in theinformation and training of the general public,including the following:• Publishing information, in the form of study

articles and comprehensive, well documentedreports, on solar energy and its prospects.

• Distribute such information and/or documentation to consumer associations.

35


• Produce and broadcast programmes and documentary films for television.

• Create fixed exhibitions at technology parks to allow the presentation of a wide array of solar equipment and its applications. Organisegeneral public visits to solar test centres.

• Encourage teaching of renewable energy technologies in primary and secondary schools. Within the context of courses in physics, chemistry and technology, a scientific base on solar energy can effectively be introduced to the thinking of young students. In the very near future, these individuals will be the implementers of the large energy programmes, currently being launched.

General contents of teaching programmesThe overall objective of education and trainingprogrammes is to address general problemsrelated to energy, as well as the need to conserveenergy and use renewable energy sources. Atthe same time, the particular technology shouldcorrespond to the competence of the instructorand the desire of the learner.

In the past, most training programmes focusedon a specific type of renewable energy, concen-trating on a certain technology without placingit in a more general context. In addition, exist-ing general training programmes on energyconservation were not oriented toward a specificrenewable energy form or a particular application.This situation is unsatisfactory in that it doesnot respond to real needs.

A general training programme on renewableenergies and related technology options is proposed as an example. It could be comparedto a ‘general store’ of basic courses and ‘menus’from which particular options can be selectedfor each target audience (researchers, engineers,technicians, decision makers, industrialists, end-users, the general public, etc.).

At present, there is a scarcity of appropriate disciplines in relevant teaching programmes foreach technology. If an individual would like tointensify his technical capabilities to solve theproblems encountered, he must select one ofthese particular technologies. This should besupported by the usual basic knowledge, whichremains the foundation for building up thetrainee’s abilities, together with any other complementary knowledge that is necessary for the training.

The complementary knowledge would beacquired partially through the basic generalcourses mentioned above, which would helpclarify the role of renewable energy in today’sworld. Depending on each technology option,it would also include other particular points tohelp trainees to deal with problems in the field.Sensitising trainees to the real state of the art of the system’s use and manufacturing is a highpriority; it will also help clarify the role andimportance of the various technology options.Therefore, the proposed training programmeshould cover at least one or two of the techno-logies referred to in the following table.

Each scientific education unit will select its technology options according to its field ofinterests. It is important to note that this doesnot exclude a simultaneous selection of onerenewable energy option and one other form of energy. In addition, sufficient time should

Technology Hydro- Wind Photo- Solar Solar Geo- Biomasselectric turbines voltaics therdyn. thermal thermal

conv.Related disciplines

Mechanics •• •• • •

Geology •• •• •

Atmosph. phys • •• • • • •

Thermodyn. ••

Thermal sci. •• •• ••

Building eng. ••

Chemistry • • • • •

Chem. eng. • • ••

Phys.of mat. • • •• •

Electro. phy. • •• •

Electro. tech. • • • •

Agronomy ••

Bio. eng. ••

Table 1Guide of technology options

36


be allocated to general knowledge. Units thatcurrently specialise in economics or human sciences but wish to initiate training programmeson renewable energies could call upon externalspecialists to deliver the necessary informationto the target audience. The most importantconsideration is that the information be realisticand cover the use and application of renewableenergies, especially in different contexts. Thatis, trainees should be made aware of the poten-tial of renewable energies to meet sustainabletargets, to contribute to poverty reduction andto support job creation.

37

39

Economic and Political Aspects of the Transitionto Renewable Energy Systems

• Policies and Measures for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in South Africa

• Research and Development Needs for Renewable Energy Technology in Industrialized Countries

• The Challenge of Renewable Energies Integration inEnergy Distribution Systems

• Integrating Renewable Energy into Society

• Promotion of Renewable Energies for Heating and Cooling

• Transitioning to a Renewable Energy Future

• Full Solar Supply of Industrialized Countries – The Example Japan

Science Forum 2004Stanford A. J. Mwakasonda • Policies and Measures for Renewable Energy

BackgroundThe South Africa democratic elections held of1994 initiated a change in government policyacross all sectors. With the new government in place, there was an in-depth review of allgovernment policies in order to align them with basic principles of democracy and humanrights. The new policy paradigm addressedissues of economic efficiency, access to afford-able energy for all and environmental sustain-ability. This, however, was not an easy task forthe newly elected government, especially inview of the economic and infrastructural con-straints and challenges.

One of the key challenges that South Africa stillfaces is for development aspirations to bring on board racial equity, job creation, povertyreduction and economic prosperity while mini-mising the adverse environmental impacts. Fora long period of time the South African energyscenario has been dominated by coal, one ofthe most carbon intensive fuels and associatedwith a high emission rate of carbon, responsiblefor the global environmental threat. While it is recognized that Africa does not contribute

much to total global emissions, South Africaremains a notable exception, with carbon emissions per capita closer to industrialisedcountries that are the major contributor to this threat. This reason and others necessitate a change in policy framework in order to tailorit to fit the requirements of sustainable development, putting in the developmentdomain issues of economic, environment as well as social development.

Renewable Energy Policy

In 1998 South Africa formulated a new energypolicy, significantly different from the pre-1994one, which provided energy services accordingto race. Major objectives of the new govern-ment policy for the energy sector were spelledout in the 1998 Energy White Paper as:

1) Increasing access to affordable energy services.2) Improving energy governance – clarification

of the relative roles and functions of various energy institutions within the context of

41

Figure 1Trends in electrificationof households in SouthAfrica: 1995– 2002

Policies and Measures for RenewableEnergy and Energy Efficiency inSouth Africa

Stanford A. J. Mwakasonda

Energy Research Centre

University of Cape Town

(South Africa)

[email protected]

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Rural Urban National

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Perc

enta

ge

21

27

3843

46 48 49 5050

5560

6366 63 66 68

7679

7477 80 80

7477


accountability, transparency and inclusive membership, particularly participation by the previously disadvantaged.

3) Stimulating economic development – encouragement of competition within energy markets.

4) Managing energy-related environmental and health effects – promotion of access to basic energy services for poor households while reducing negative health impacts arising from energy activities.

5) Securing supply through diversity – increased opportunities for energy trade, particularly within the Southern African region, and diversity of both supply sources and primary energy carriers.

The new energy policy helped to consolidateprograms that were already in place in trying toimprove provision of modern energy services topeople. This included the National ElectrificationProgram for 1994– 1999, targeting to increaseelectrification level from 36 per cent in 1994 toabout 66 per cent nationally by 2001. The targetwas exceeded, with 2.75 million connectionsachieved by end of Phase 1 of the Programme.By end of 2001 the National Electricity Regula-tor (NER) recorded 3.4 million connections.

Renewable energy policy

Recognizing the contribution potential ofrenewable energy sources to modern energyservices in South Africa, the Government in2003 released the White Paper on RenewableEnergy. This had a number of objectives, including ensuring that an equitable level ofnational resources was invested in renewabletechnologies; directing public resources forimplementation of renewable energy techno-logies; introducing suitable fiscal incentives forrenewable energy and; creating an investmentclimate for the development of renewable energy sector. The key objectives of the WhitePaper were considered in the five major faci-litative areas given below.

Financial instruments• To ensure that an equitable level of national

resources is invested in renewable techno-

logies, given their potential and compared to investments in other energy supply.

• To set targets for directing of public resources for implementation of renewable energy technologies.

• To extend existing state financial support systems and institutions and introduce sustainable financing mechanisms for delivering renewable energy systems.

• To introduce suitable fiscal incentives for renewable energy.

• To make easy the creation of an investment climate for the development of renewable energy sector, which can attract foreign and local investors.

Legal instruments• To develop an appropriate legal and

regulatory framework for pricing and tariff structures to support the integration of renewable energy into the energy economy and to attract investors.

• To develop an enabling legislative and regulatory framework to integrate independent power producers into existing electricity system.

• To develop an enabling legislative framework to integrate local producers of liquid fuels and gas from renewable resources into their respective systems.

Technology development• To promote the development and imple-

mentation of appropriate standards and guidelines and codes of practice for the appropriate use of renewable energy technologies.

• To support appropriate research and development and local manufacturing to strengthen renewable energy technology and optimise its implementation.

Awareness raising, capacity building and education• To promote knowledge of renewable energy

and increase their use.• To promote and stimulate renewable energy

market through dissemination of information on economic, environmental, social and trade benefits of renewable energy techno-logies and their applications.

42


• To persuade institutions to implement training and education programs on renewable energy.

• To actively involve women in decision making and planning on renewable energy activities.

• To improve communication and interaction between government and other institutions on renewable energy policies.

Policies and measures for renewable energy implementation

There is considerable potential for renewableenergy sources in South Africa, from solar,wind, biomass, waves and hydro, but the keychallenge is to translate this into technical, economic and market realities. Doing this wouldneed careful thinking of policies and measuresthat could result in optimal tapping of therenewable energy sources, taking into accountthe prevailing national circumstances. A number of policies and measures have beenproposed by different players, and some of theextensively researched were those put forwardin a study that was commissioned to EnergyResearch Centre (ERC, University of Cape Town)by the Sustainable Energy and Climate ChangePartnership (SECCP), a partnership betweenEarthlife Africa Johannesburg and the WorldWildlife Fund of Denmark1. The policies andmeasures proposed by ERC centred aroundattaining three main objectives:

• a portfolio of policies and measures for realising the potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency in South Africa.

• investigating how such policies and measures could form part of an effective climate change response by estimating the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.

• identifying and making projections of sustainable development impacts related to realising the renewable energy and energy efficiency potential.

With this background, and considering theunique South Africa energy circumstances, a number of policies and measures were proposed, including recommendations on how they could be implemented. The policiesand measures were grouped into four main categories, as being market-based instruments,regulatory measures, institutional and legalmeasures, and voluntary measures, as shownbelow:

Market based instruments• Financing energy efficient housing and

appliances (bonds and loans),• Incremental housing subsidy for energy

efficiency upgrade in low cost housing,• Concessionary loans for incremental costs

efficient equipment and combined heat and power,

• Production subsidies for renewable electricity generation,

• Pollution taxes,• Wires charge and additional sources of

financing.

Regulatory instruments – targets, codes and standards• Targets for renewable electricity generation,• Strengthen commercial building codes,• Residential building codes,• Household appliance-labelling and

mandatory energy performance standards,• Commercial and industrial equipment

labelling and mandatory energy perfor-mance standards,

• Government procurement standards for equipment and upgrading energy efficiency standards in government buildings,

• Compulsory fuel efficiency standards for corporate and institutional fleets,

• Particulate emission control and transport policy,

• Regulatory interventions to promote energy efficiency,

• Green tariffs, trading and renewable electricity.

Institutional and legal environment• Strengthen the institutional framework for

energy efficiency,

43

1 This study was undertaken by the Energy Research Centre, Iniversity of Cape Town. The team of researchers involved included;Prof. Ogunlade Davidson (Project Leader), Prof. Kevin Bennet, Pierre Mukheibir, Stanford Mwakasonda, JC Nkomo, RandallSpalding-Fecher, Harald Winkler, Rodney Xali, Mark Howells, Alison Hughes and Frances Craigie.


• Renewable energy legislative framework,• Research, development and demonstration,• Awareness and education,

Voluntary agreementsThe above policies and measures analysed withreference to three implementation scenarios inorder to assess their impact of implementation.Modelling was used on certain aspects of thepolicies and measures. The three scenarios forimplementation were as shown in Tab.1.

It was observed that the three implementationscenarios each had benefits and costs across arange of different indicators. In the reduction ofGHG emissions for example, setting a renewableenergy target of 25% for electricity generationover a 20 year period showed a significant levelof lower local pollution (up to 10%), as well asreductions in GHG emissions (6 –10%).

After such analysis of different combinations ofpolicies and measures, the following five policiesand measures were recommended as priorities:

1) Mandatory codes and standards for energy efficient buildings in government, commercialand residential sectors• aiming to reduce commercial building

energy consumption (excluding lighting)2) Equipment standards for industry and

commerce• development of mandatory performance

standards for industrial equipment as well as a mandatory energy labelling system

3) Targets for renewable electricity generation• a target of renewable electricity generation

providing 15% of total electricity con-sumption by 2020

4) Production subsidies for renewable electricity• in order to make renewable electricity

competitive 5) Pollution tax

• A tax on air pollutants, levied per mass unit of emissions

Appropriate enabling conditions are an impor-tant prerequisite in order for any policies andmeasures to have the required impact. Whilerecognising the role of market-based instruments,the right place for subsidies to contribute totheir effectiveness is also crucial, especially in animmature market like the renewable energy. In any case, there can not be a “one-size-fits all”rule to the applicability of the above mentionedpolicies and measures. Each country need tomake an in depth analysis of the prevailing cir-cumstances before deciding on what to includein the shopping basket for policies and measuresfor either renewable energy or energy efficiencyprograms.

44

Figure 2Relative emissions ofcarbon dioxide (cumu-lative over 20 Years)

Table 1Scenarios for imple-mentation of policiesand measures forrenewable energy andenergy efficiency

Base case Business as usual government policy, based on Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) official projections and public domain data

Economic Moderate; focus on economic instruments to correct market failures instruments in relation to RE and EE

Policy reform Moderate; focus on meeting targets for RE and EE cost-effectively

Intensive policy Intensive; more focus on promoting RE and EE; stronger weighting of social and environmental concerns

Base CaseEconomy InstrumentsPolicy ReformIntensive Policy

102%

100%

98%

96%

94%

92%

90%

88%

86%

84%

Emis

sio

ns

rela

tive

to

bas

e ca

se


References

Borchers, M., N. Qase, T. Gaunt, J. Mavhungu,H. Winkler, Y. Afrane-Okese and C. Thom, 2001,National Electrification Programme Evaluation:Summary Report, evaluation commissioned bythe Department of Minerals & Energy and theDevelopment Bank of Southern Africa, Energyand Development Research Centre, Universityof Cape Town, Cape Town.

Davidson O. & Mwakasonda S., 2003. ElectricityAccess; Southern Africa Sub-regional Study:South Africa and Zimbabwe. Energy ResearchCentre, University of Capre Town. South Africa.

DME, 1998, ‘White Paper on Energy Policy forSouth Africa’, Department of Minerals and Energy, Government of South Africa, Pretoria.

DME, 2003, White Paper on Renewable Energy.Department of Minerals and Energy, Governmentof South Africa, Pretoria.

EDRC (Energy & Development Research Centre)2003. Policies and measures for renewableenergy and energy efficiency in South Africa.Prepared for the Sustainable Energy & ClimateChange Partnership. Cape Town, EDRC, University of Cape Town.

NER (National Electricity Regulator), 2001, Electricity Supply Statistics for South Africa2001, National Electricity Regulator, Pretoria,South Africa.

NER (National Electricity Regulator) , 2002,Lighting up South Africa. National ElectricityRegulator, Pretoria, South Africa.

45

Science Forum 2004

AbstractWith a large number of users and high volumesof production, renewable energy technologieswill be typical industrial mass products. Usingphotovoltaics as the example, we show that the most important research and development(R&D) function of industrialized countries inrenewable energy is to focus on the reductionof cost per unit of power output. Reducing thecost /power ratio of renewables relies on theability of developed countries to conductadvanced R&D.

Renewable energy – a large-volume industry

Renewable energy generation must be large to have impact on the global energy supply.Renewable energy will have many users, willproduce large quantities of electrical or thermalenergy or fuel, will use large quantities of material for their construction, and will requirelarge investments of capital. These characteristicsare typical of mass-produced industrial goods.

Therefore, renewable energy sources are follow-ing a path that is characteristic of modernindustrial products like the automobile or themicroprocessor. The widespread use of thesewas made possible by low cost, per passengeror per logic gate, of very advanced products.For the widespread use of renewable energy,low cost per unit of power or energy will beequally essential. For the eventual adoption ofrenewable energy by private users the cost ofenergy must be low. Its renewable character willbe a secondary attractor for the vast majority of users in developed countries that we want to engage.

This argument applies to all sources of renew-able energy produced in large quantity, whetherin distributed or in central, bulk, form. Takingadvantage of our own experience we employphotovoltaics (PV) as the vehicle for making ourpoint. The present cost of PV is $3/W of module,and $6/W or more for the whole system. $3/Wsystems cost is the target for opening largemarkets for distributed systems. A system cost

47

Sigurd Wagner • Research and Development Needs in Industrialized Countries

Sigurd Wagner

Princeton University,

Department of Electrical

Engineering (USA)

[email protected]

Research and Development Needsfor Renewable Energy Technology inIndustrialized Countries

Richard M. SwansonSunPower Corporation (USA)

[email protected]

Figure 1The experience curvefor photovoltaic mod-ule price, and itsextrapolation to theyear of 2013.

1980$21.83/W

1985$11.20/W 1990

$6.07/W 1995$4.90/W 2000

$3.89/W2005

$2.70/W2010

$1.82/W2013$1.44/W

Historical

Projected

DistributedGenerationValue

100

10

11 10 100 1000 10000 100000

Cumulative Produktion (MW)

Mo

dul

e Pr

ice

(200

2 $/

W)

The module cost of $1.44/W will open a large commercially viable market for distributed generation of photovoltaic electricity. From ref. [1].m ref. [1].

Science Forum 2004Sigurd Wagner • Research and Development Needs in Industrialized Countries

of $1.30/W is expected to introduce PV to the bulk power market. (We use $/W here todenote the cost per Watt of output powerunder peak insolation, which correspondsapproximately to $0.25/We, the average outputof a conventional power plant.)

Renewable energy cost reduction to date – the photovoltaic example

Like many mass-produced products, solar electric modules have come down in price withmanufacturing experience. On average, thepanel price has dropped to 81% of its value atthe beginning of each period of doubling ofcumulative production. The cumulative produc-tion counts all modules ever produced. This historical record is illustrated by Fig.1, whichalso includes a projection of cost reductionanticipated over the next ten years. [1] (It isassumed but not assured that future cost willfollow the historical trend of Fig.1). While economists do not yet understand the semi-logarithmic dependence shown by this “experi-ence curve,” it is clear that the cost is comingdown in part by R&D.

To understand the role of R&D in past costreduction, and its leverage on cost reduction inthe future, let us look at the components ofmodule cost. The four main steps of modulefabrication are reflected in the pie chart of Fig.2 on cost components of a PV module.These are (i) silicon refining and crystal growth,(ii) wafer cutting, (iii) cell fabrication, and (iv)module assembly. Tab.1 illustrates how each of these steps has contributed to the costreduction depicted in Fig.1. The manufacturingprocesses of all four steps have been improved.

Improving the cell efficiency is particularlyimportant to cost reduction because of its leverage on the cost of the entire system. Raising the cell efficiency brings down the cost(per Watt) of the entire system, that is, itreduces the cost per watt of all manufacturingsteps and of the balance-of-system.

Prognosis for further costreduction – the photovoltaicexample

The silicon solar cell roadmap foresees furtherimprovements in cell and manufacturing efficiency, with module cost projected to reach$1.50/W by the year 2012. PV manufacturersare confident that the necessary technology canbe developed. Cost reductions are anticipatedin all steps of module manufacture, asdescribed in the rightmost column of Tab.1.Taking the balance-of-systems cost to be equalto the module cost, in 2012 the PV systems costwill become competitive for distributed application of PV. In other words, at this costdistributed PV no longer will need subsidiesbecause it will be profitable.

48

Figure 2Main components ofcrystalline silicon PVmodule cost. From ref.[1].

Table 1Improvements in silicon PV modulemanufacturing: history and projection

Process step Material/process Improvement to date By2012

Silicon crystal Polysilicon price $300/kg $30/kg

Larger diameter 75mm 150mm 200 mm

Wafer Cutting Wire sawing < $ 0.25/W

Thinner Wafers 375µm 150µm 120 µm

Cell fabrication Higher efficiency 10% 16% 23%

Volume manufacturing 1MW 100MW 500 MWannual production

Module assembly Automation None some More

ModuleAssembly

30 %

IngotGrowth30 %

Wafering20 %

CellProcessing

20 %


The forecast for reaching the goal of PV to bulkpower generation is less certain. For competitivebulk power generation the module cost willhave to drop to $0.65/W, and the systems costto $1.30/W. The scientific and technical path to this goal is not known, and finding it will neednew discoveries, inventions, and manufacturingtechniques.

Renewable technologies arecomplex products of advancedindustrial societies

The preceding sections illustrate our main point:Because of their large numbers and extremecost constraints, distributed systems for thegeneration of renewable power will have to beindustrial mass products. Their introduction will follow that of other mass products made bydemanding technologies, such as automobilesand microprocessors. They are invented, engineered, made, and first used in developedcountries. In the past such advanced industrialproducts first have been imported to developingcountries as status symbols of the wealthy.Because they turned out to meet basic societalneeds and became affordable, large marketsopened up for them in developing just as indeveloped countries. These markets were supplied with standardized products, whichwere adapted to local conditions in a kind ofmass customization. When local markets indeveloping countries became sufficiently large,developed countries manufactured productstailored for export. Local manufacture in developing countries followed, which entrainedthe buildup of local base of suppliers. This flowof technological development that eventuallybecomes mutual is laid out in Tab. 2. Until sufficient income is generated locally fromrenewable energy sales, much of the sequenceis financed by capital from developed countries.

How much subsidy is neededto make distributed PV powercommercially viable?

Extrapolating the experience curve of Fig.1shows that the commercially competitive module price of $1.50/ W is attained when the

cumulative production has reached 30,000MW. Fig.1 allows to calculate the subsidy needed for reaching commercially viable distributed PV power. Assuming that manufac-turers and installers are subsidized to receive$6/W of system, the total subsidy for bring systems cost to $3/W is $25 billion. This amountsuggests that PV financing also will remain inthe domain of the industrialized countries forsome time to come. It is plausible that this needfor subsidies, and their source, extends to severalother renewable energy technologies.

R&D entry for developing countries

While the need for mass production at low costplaces the burden of development and financingrenewable technology squarely on the shouldersof the industrialized countries, many developingcountries have technology bases that enablethem to make significant R&D contributions torenewables. Tab.3 lays out one possibleapproach.

Consequences on the division of labor in researchand trainingThe preceding discussion served to highlightthe most important need in R&D on renewableenergy technology: to reduce its cost to a commercially viable level. Low cost is the key to successful market development. Once cost is low self-motivated and self-financed marketswill spring up in developing countries, whichthen will begin moving in the direction fromapplication to manufacture to R&D. 49

Table 2Entry points and growthdirections in renewableenergy industries ofdeveloped and of devel-oping countries.

Table 3A possible division oflabor in the developmentof renewable energytechnology

Industrialized countries

Exploratory research invention applied research

product development pilot production field test

manufacture

systems development applications development use

Developing countries

Developing countries

Energy conservation heating/cooling wind power

liquid fuels PV electricity


Reduction of the cost /power ratio must drivethe research agenda for developed countries.This agenda will cover all aspects of the renew-able technology, ranging from materials tophysical function, to manufacturing, to systemsdevelopment and installation. In technologieswithout local expertise in developing countries,developed countries will train local experts forapplications and customization of systems.Where local expertise in renewable applicationsalready exists, developing countries can helpbest by strengthening their R&D capability thathelps local entry to cost effective manufacturing.

Reference

[1] “A Vision for Crystalline Silicon PV,” R.M. Swanson, Materials Research Society Spring 2004 Meeting, Symposium A on Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Silicon Science and Technology-2004, paper A7.4. San Francisco, CA, 14 April 2004.

50

Science Forum 2004Romeo Pacudan • The Challenge of Renewable Energies Integration in Energy Distribution Systems

IntroductionDespite the global abundance of renewableenergy resources, renewable energy generationcapacity constitutes a small share in the globalpower capacity. The renewable energy capacityin 2000 was estimated to be around 102 GW(excluding large hydroelectric power) represent-ing 3% of the world’s installed power capacity.Since the past decade, however, there has beena renewed interest in many countries on renew-able energy for power generation. Governmentshave intervened to promote renewable energyinvestments. In several developed countries,renewable energy policy interventions were driven by policy objectives such as greenhousegas emission mitigation, internalisation of environmental externalities and energy security.The renewable energy capacity in EU membercountries, for example, has grown 5 times from1990 to 2001.

The integration of increased renewable energycapacity in electricity distribution systems couldbe held back by the limitations of the central-ized power generation systems in accommodat-ing distributed generation and by the full electricity market liberalization. The technicaland regulatory frameworks of centralized powergeneration systems appear to be inadequate to provide support and incentives to distributedenergy generation. While market liberalizationincreases opportunities for small and medium-sized renewable energy generators, it alsoexposes them to competitive market risks, there-by reducing the attractiveness of renewableenergy generation.

The paper briefly reviews distributed energygeneration, issues and options for power inte-gration in electricity distribution systems andoutlines research strategies for renewable energy.

Power generation integration in electricity distribution systems

Electricity generating plants utilizing eitherrenewable energy or conventional fuels, inte-grated into distribution networks are broadlycategorized as distributed generation. Renew-able energy technologies suited for small tomedium-sized distributed generation includephotovoltaic cells, wind power and biomass-based technologies. Technologies fuelled byfossil energy are conventional steam turbines,combustion turbines, internal combustionengine generators, micro turbines, and fuel cells.

Key characteristics that differentiate distributedgeneration from the centralized power supplyrelates to location, capacity and grid connection.Distributed generators are located near the pointat which the power is consumed. Distributedgeneration technologies are small in scale orcan be produced economically in a range ofsizes. Traditional electricity suppliers are con-nected to the grid at high voltage level whiledistributed generators are connected to thegrid at distribution level.

Several developments have influenced theincreased interest for distributed generationrecently. These are 1) generation and distribution technology

development; 2) liberalization in the electricity market; 3) energy supply security concerns; and 4) renewable energy policies driven by

environmental concerns.

In Western Europe, particularly the EuropeanUnion Member States, environmental policies,increased awareness on distributed generationtechnologies, and electricity market liberaliza-tion are the factors that generate increaseddeployment of distributed generators. In the 51

Romeo Pacudan

UNEP Risoe Centre (DK)

[email protected]

The Challenge of Renewable Energies Integration in Energy Distribution Systems


US, the growth of distributed generation is driven by issues related to poor power qualityand supply security as well as increased recog-nition of environmental benefits of distributedgeneration.

The benefits of distributed generation includethe following: greenhouse gas emissions reductions particularly for generation based onrenewable energy and low carbon fuels; securityand diversity of supply since various energysources will be used in distributed generation;and cost reductions since electricity is generatedby more efficient systems and close to the pointof consumption. Additional benefits of distrib-uted generation in general include deferral ofupgrades from transmission and distributionsystems, reduction of losses in the distributionsystem, and provision of network support orancillary services.

In countries with liberalized electricity markets,distributed generation becomes attractive sinceit has short construction lead times, low capitalcosts, flexibility in operation, and its ability toexpand output. It must be noted, however, thatthese attributes are mainly associated with fossilfuel-based technologies since most renewableenergy technologies have intermittent electricitygeneration, high installation costs and limitedflexibility in operation and expansion.

Issues and options

Grid interconnectionThe existing electricity supply systems in mostcountries awre centralized systems where elec-tricity is generated in large power stations anddelivered to customers through transmissionand distribution networks. Centralized systemssupport a unidirectional flow of electricity. Theintegration of small-scale generation at the distribution level can result in technical problemsthat may affect network stability and powerquality. These problems include voltage control,reactive power control and islanding. For coun-tries without grid interconnection standards,this may result in increased transaction costssince distribution network operators oftenrequire distributed generators to shoulder the

grid impact assessment costs. The developmentof interconnection standards, guidelines fordealing with interconnection requests and procedures are often seen to reduce transactioncosts for network operators and distributedgenerators.

In countries where distributed generation isgrowing rapidly, electricity networks are facingnew challenges in terms of network stabilityand power quality. High penetration levels ofdistributed generation increase risks of seriousnetwork failures. In the case of Denmark wherethe penetration rate of distributed generation is high (around 35% at present), it has beenreported that the costs of network reinforce-ments have risen considerably. To allow furtherincrease of distributed generation share, itrequires new technological development. Onepossible development is for current passive distribution networks to evolve into activelymanaged networks. This means that the networkmust be treated not as a power supply systembut as a transport system that provides connec-tion between points of supply and consumption.In this case, bi-directional flows of electricity arepossible, local control areas which enables localnetwork areas to act as independent islands are used, and system services become specifiedattributes of a connection.

Intermittent distributed generation (renewableenergy technologies) pose a different technicalchallenge. High penetration rates of intermit-tent distributed generation pose a serious technical constraint, which requires some formof back-up power or energy storage. The highshare of wind power in Denmark is beingbacked-up with a large capacity from the Nordicelectricity pool. To some extent, combined heatand power (CHP) plants have also providedback-up capacity. There is a revival of interest ofenergy storage as a technical option for inter-mittent energy generation. The current parti-cular interest is on the production and storageof hydrogen from electricity at off-peak periodand during the times where there is surplus ofrenewable energy.

Market liberalizationUnder a vertically-integrated monopolistic elec-tricity industry structure, electricity produced52


by distributed generators is purchased by utili-ties under various contractual arrangements.Under liberalized markets, opportunities for distributed generators are increased since theycan sell their outputs directly to customers withthe opening of access to networks. Limitedreforms, however, may be unfavourable to dis-tributed generators. If reforms are limited towholesale competition, the conditions will besimilar to monopolistic industry structure. Inpartial retail competition, utilities may practiceanti-competitive behaviour by offering pricediscounts to contestable markets creating entrybarrier to distributed generators. Full retail com-petition therefore is vital for the development of distributed generation. If cross-ownership isallowed under full retail competition, electricitydistribution companies owning generators tosupply electricity to their customers still havethe incentive to discriminate against distributedgenerators. This incentive to discriminate isremoved with the separation of distributionfrom generation.

The complexity in market structure, operationand pricing is increased with liberalization making it more costly for small-scale distributedgenerators, particularly small and intermittentproducers, in dealing with market competition,in undertaking bilateral contracts with consumers,in meeting electricity dispatch requirements(balancing requirement), and in procuringback-up power. This could be mitigated bydeveloping trading arrangements and marketrules that provide correct signals and rightincentives to facilitate the growth of distributedgeneration.

Regulatory frameworksThe integration of distributed generation in distribution networks presents costs and benefitsto the network, which needs to be properly valued in order to facilitate the growth of dis-tributed generation. The current regulatoryframeworks often fail to recognize, allocate andevaluate most of these costs and benefits. Thevalues (costs and benefits) of distributed gener-ation can be categorized into capital and opera-tional values. Capital values relate to generationand distribution facilities and these include the following: distribution capacity cost deferral,connection costs, metering costs, reserve

capacity costs and avoidance of over capacity.Operational values include reduction losses,voltage support, reactive power support andbalancing power. It must be recognized thateconomic values for reliable distributed gene-ration are higher than those for intermittentgeneration.

A sustainable network regulatory system mustprovide correct signals to generators. Thismeans that all distributed generation costs andbenefits must be properly valued. Distributionnetwork operators must be given regulatoryincentives to consider costs and benefits of all network users related to network services. A sustainable regulatory framework uses acharging system that combines shallow con-nection charges, use of system charges withentry and exit charges, and performance basedincentives.

Research Strategies for Renewable Energy Integration

The issues and options discussed above can bebroadly categorized into issues related to dis-tributed generation in general and those relatedmore specifically to renewable energy genera-tion. The generic issues affect both renewableenergy and fossil fuel-based distributed genera-tion. Research strategies must address both the generic distributed generation issues andrenewable energy-specific integration issues.As discussed earlier, flexibility, reliability and low generation costs - attributes that are weakin renewable energy generation – are valuedhighly in competitive and complex electricitymarkets. Research strategies to facilitate higherintegration of renewable energy generation in distribution networks must focus on theseweak attributes.

Flexibility in generation maximizes economicbenefits by increasing output at times of highpool prices. Intermittent generation fromrenewable energy can be mitigated and flexi-bility can be achieved through energy storage.With energy storage, scheduling of energy dispatch would also become possible for inter-mittent renewable energy generation. 53


Scheduled generation provide higher economicreturns than unscheduled generation. There are several options for storage, but currentindustry interest is on hydrogen production andstorage. There is a current need for research,development and demonstration of energystorage systems.

Predictability of output is very important in balancing actual and forecasts generation. Pe-nalties are high and producers are required topay higher prices for imbalances in competitiveelectricity markets. This penalizes the highlyvariable renewable energy generators. Energystorage could mitigate variability problems.Another area where there is a need for research,development and demonstration is on theimprovement of predictive capabilities, such asthe development of better weather forecastingtechniques and software. With these technologiesthe variability of forecasts and actual outputscould be significantly reduced.

In competitive markets, renewable energy generation need to compete with central powergeneration. At present, small-scale renewableenergy generation remain uncompetitive unlesssubsidized for grid applications. Despite thedecline of generation costs of several renewableenergy technologies since the past decades,technology costs need to further decline in orderto become competitive in displacing grid-power.Continued research on renewable energy tech-nology cost reductions and efficiency improve-ments remain important.

The above strategies can be reinforced by re-search strategies on generic distributed energygeneration. Technical research strategies can be divided into those dealing with the issuesassociated with the existing centralized powersystems and those related to future systemdesign and operation. The former includesresearch and development of new control technologies (current fault and voltage) as wellas distribution management systems while the latter includes interconnection and active network management. Research strategies forelectricity system regulation can be focused on the valuation of distributed generation costsand benefits as well as on various regulatoryincentives to distribution network operators toconnect distributed generation.

54

Science Forum 2004Jan Hamrin • Integrating Renewable Energy Into Society

Introduction

This paper summarizes some of the non-technicalaspects of renewable energy, from local andnational to regional and global. How both technical and non-technical knowledge ofrenewables is used in the societal, political andeconomic processes of development, and howthese processes might be managed to achievethe transition to more sustainable energy systems. Due to space and time limitations, thispaper focuses primarily on grid-connected bulkrenewable generating facilities. That does not inany way diminish the value and importance ofsolar design in the building sector, solar waterheating, small on-site generation, or the futureuse of renewables in the transportation sectorsome of which I will only lightly touch upon.

Integrating Renewables intothe Electric Utility Structure

Probably the largest use and the greatest impactof renewable energy is for the generation ofpower in the electric utility sector. This includesgrid-connected bulk power (most commonlywind, solar, biomass /biogas, geothermal, andhydro), and grid-connected, on-site generationmost commonly from solar electric (PV) andsmall wind generators. In rural areas, both indeveloped and developing countries there isalso widespread use of solar electric, small wind,small- and micro-hydro, biomass and biogasthat are sometimes developed through electricutility programs, through special rural utility districts, and cooperatives. Each of these has theirown set of benefits and issues. The followingare some of the significant non-technical issuesin the electric utility sector.

Socio-Economics – The economics of bulkrenewable power generated into the electricitygrid has improved dramatically over the pastfive years. This is due to the reduction in the

cost of renewables and the increase in the costof some conventional fuels, particularly as environmental controls become more stringent.In addition, the volatility of fossil fuel prices,particularly natural gas, makes many sources ofrenewable power competitive today with con-ventional sources. Added to that is the need todiversify the power generation mix while alsoreducing dependence on imported sources offuel. As a result, domestic renewable resourcesbecome a more attractive choice than everbefore. The environmental benefits of renewablescome as a bonus. Here is a summary of some of the benefits:

• Renewable Technology Costs: Improved technology performance and reduced installed costs are continuing to improve renewables competitive position;

• Environmental Compliance: Increased costs of conventional fuels and costs of the technical requirements to meet modern generation performance standards bring the costs of conventional power generation within a similar range as renewables;

• Competition for Water: Increasingly short supplies of water needed for conventional power plant cooling (and washing of coal) will put more and more pressure on the siting of new thermal plants;

• Stabilize Electric Portfolio Costs: Volatility of natural gas prices and shortages of natural gas supply – renewables tend to have 80 percent or more of their costs fixed and thus can help to stabilize electricity rates;

• Balance of Trade: Desirability of using domestic renewable resources to generate power, while selling domestically produced fossil fuels for hard currency;

• Economic Development: Interest in local jobs and potential for domestic renewable energy manufacturing;

• Rural Development Costs: Renewables are frequently more cost effective than extendingtransmission lines from central generating stations into rural areas. 55

Jan HamrinCenter for ResourceSolutions (USA)

[email protected]

Integrating Renewable Energy Into Society


Transmission/Distribution System (T/D) –Even with favorable economics, there are manybarriers to renewable development and severalof those are related to the electricity T/D system.This is a topic that could consume a wholepaper. Here are some of the issues.

Transmission/distribution interconnection –Though the technical issues of renewable inter-connection into the electricity system are prettystraight forward, how the costs are calculatedand who should pay what costs can involve yearsof political wrangling. Because the existingelectricity transmission system has, in almost allcases, been designed to accommodate largecentral station conventional power generation,revising that system to accommodate small,embedded generation, intermittent and renew-able facilities located where the resources arelocated (rather than load) can be challengingand expensive.

In addition, the transmission and distributionsystem operating rules can be written in a waythat adds more costs than are necessary tosmall, embedded, and intermittent resources.It is important that T/D operating rules bebased on performance rather than technicalspecifications (i. e. what performance you needfrom the system rather than what piece of hardware has always been used in the past).

Distribution system upgrade and support –Many renewable generators (as well as co-generators – CHP) are interconnected at thedistribution rather than transmission system level. This means that the distribution systemmay require system reinforcement in order to accept the power and avoid a situationwhere the renewable generator is not able tooperate for significant periods of time. Theissues are: Who decides what reinforcementswill be made, and who should pay for these system reinforcements? In addition, whenrenewables are interconnected at the distribu-tion system level, they may bring a variety of benefits to the system, are those benefits calculated and netted against the costs?

Intermittency and control – Probably the most vexing T/D issue has had to do with theintermittency of some types of renewable

generation. This debate often expands outsidethe bounds of technical fact and into the realmof myth. Many utility transmission operatorsbelieve that anything above some specific percentage of intermittent resources (somebelieve this is as low as 5 percent) will totallydisrupt their system. Resource planners every-where need better information, hard data andknowledge of the variables that affect those data.In addition, the fact that smaller generators(often renewables) and intermittent generationis not controllable like large conventional centralgeneration causes more upset and debate thanis justified by the actual facts of the situation.

Line extension versus off-grid and mini-gridinstallations – The politics of transmission lineextensions drive much of the rural renewableenergy development in developing countries.The determination of where transmission lineswill be extended is often determined by politicalconsiderations. Moreover, politicians like tomake campaign promises about delivering ruralelectrification. But those promises may never bemet. As a result, many rural communities donot support renewable facilities because theythink they will soon have ‘real’ electricity fromthe grid (but that electricity never comes). The simple requirement that electric utilitiesannounce several years in advance their line-extension plans and then be compelled to follow those plans could help rural communitiesmake more informed decisions about theirenergy options.

Institutional Culture – The institutional culturewithin some electric utilities mitigates againstthe incorporation of renewable resources. Someutility managers still believe ‘bigger is better.’They did not get into the utility business to build‘wimpy’ renewable energy and energy efficiencyprojects. “Real men build nuclear and largecentral fossil generating plants. Countries thatare going to move economically and be a power in the world must have nuclear powerplants not renewable power plants. That mightbring into question the judgment and potentialinfluence of the utility manager.”1 This type of thinking buttressed by myths about howrenewables will ‘screw-up the electricity system,’pervades many parts of the electric utility industry serving as a silent barrier to the56


incorporation of renewables into the affectedutilities.

It is important to note that many of the barriersfaced by renewable technologies are likely to befaced by any new generating technology whoseproponents and/or manufacturers do not alreadyhave a market share and where the technologyis different in size (e.g. modular), pattern of use(e.g. behind the meter), or ownership structure(e.g. non-utility). Incremental changes to exist-ing technologies that are already well establishedin the energy sector generally have few problemsof acceptance and implementation. But becausenew technologies introduced by new playersupset the status quo and conventional ways ofthinking, they can face significant barriers.

Integrating RenewablesThrough Government Policies & Programs

More and more, robust government policies andprograms are being put into place to stimulatethe development of sustainable renewableresources. The expanding use of these policiesby OECD countries is documented in a soon to be released report by the IEA – RenewableEnergy Market and Policy Trends in IEA Countries,2004. Meanwhile, many emerging economiesand developing countries are also creatinginnovative renewable energy policies and legislation. The Renewable Energy PromotionLaw being developed by the People‘s Republicof China is an example of that trend.

Overview of Policies – Countries, states andprovinces have introduced a variety of policiesto support the deployment of renewable energytechnologies. The following figure shows someof the Market Deployment Policy Instrumentsused to stimulate renewable energy developmentand use. (This diagram was borrowed from thedraft IEA report cited above):

This figure illustrates the type and applicationof market instruments used to stimulate: (1)Generation (energy production); (2) Capacityadditions; through (3) Supply-side incentives;and (4) Demand-side Incentives

Looking at the broader spectrum of policyinstruments, there are seven primary types ofregulatory and legislative renewable energystrategies:• Research, Development and Demonstration

(RD&D) Incentives• Investment Incentives• Tax Measures• Incentive Tariffs• Voluntary Programs (e.g. Green Tariffs)• Mandatory Programs or Obligations• Tradable Certificates (these can also

be combined with either voluntary or mandatory programs)

Initially OECD countries tended to adopt thesedifferent types of measures and programs moreor less sequentially. More recently, countries /states/provinces have tended to adopt a packageof policy measures at one time. Many of thesepolicies are complementary and not necessarilymutually exclusive. Through experience wehave found no single policy addresses all themarket barriers and that a combination typepolicy framework can be more effective.2

Separation of Energy from Environmentaland Social Attributes – A few years ago, theconcept was conceived of separating the socialand environmental characteristics of renewables

57

Figure 1Market DeploymentPolicy Instruments

1 This was actually told to me by the CEO of a large electric utility company.2 For more information on this report, contact Rick Sellers, Renewable Energy Director, International Energy Angency, Paris, France

(4) Demand

Bidding systemsProduction tax credits

Guaranteed price/feed-inObligations

Tradable Certificates

Investment Tax CreditsProperty Tax Exemptions

Capital GrantsGovernment Purchases

Third-party Finance

Consumer grants /rebatesTax CreditsSales Tax RebatesThird-party Finance

Net MeteringGreen PricingVoluntary ProgramsGovernment PurchasesExcise Tax Exemption

(1) Generation

(3) Supply

(2) Capacity


from the commodity energy (electrons). Thisseparation is facilitated through the issuance oftradable renewable certificates (called: TRCs, or RECS, or Green Tags, or certificates). Thesecertificates represent the non-electricity relatedattributes associated with the generation of one MWH of power. They provide for a liquidcertificate market separate from the commodityenergy market and thus a second potentialsource of revenue for renewable generationplants. These certificates have become animportant financial instrument in the wholesalerenewable energy market in the U.S.

Establishing Legal Ownership of the Attributes – One of the challenges with renew-able energy certificates is establishing the legalownership of the attributes as well as the abilityto ensure they are not being double counted.The solution to this problem is the developmentof renewable energy certificate tracking systems.These systems, developed in Europe and theUnited States, provide a platform through whicha variety of renewable energy transactions canbe supported. These systems can verify compli-ance with renewable energy mandates, supportGreen Pricing and resource labeling programs,as well as support a variety of voluntary ‘green’markets and product certification.

These tracking systems are also compatible withgreenhouse gas registries and other types of air pollution abatement programs and can helpmeasure and establish the validity of pollutionmitigation claims from renewables. These track-ing systems can be adopted to small renewablegenerating systems as well as large as well asthermal solar systems.3

The Role of Renewable Certificates in International Financing – Another new conceptis the use of renewable certificates to supportthe financing of renewable projects particularlyin developing countries. The diagram (Fig.3)illustrates how such a system might bedesigned.

Integrating Renewables for End-use Customers

Up to this point, the discussion has been almostexclusively about the supply-side of the energyequation, but the demand-side – the end-useConsumer – deserves some attention as well. Thefollowing is a very brief description of some ofthe socio-economic concepts in the retail energymarket.

The Building Sector – Renewable energy andenergy efficiency is coming of age in the build-ing sector. Building codes and standards haveresulted in the recognition of the importance of the design and materials being used in newbuildings from both an energy and resourcesustainability perspective. Through codes andstandards as well as through green buildingrecognition programs like the Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design, or LEED program, passive solar design is being reintro-duced and recognized as the appropriate wayto design sustainable buildings.

Laws like the proposed California Solar Lawrequires some percentage of new housing tohave solar electric panels, could change thefuture housing landscape. This could be partic-

58

Figure 2Relationship betweenRenewable Energy,TRCs, and CommodityEnergy

3 Though collection of credible measurement data is more difficult for small to very small systems. The concept could also beapplied to energy efficiency though agreement on measurement and the issuance of certificates is more difficult than for powergeneration from metered systems.

Production of RenerwableElectricity

Envirnmental & OtherAttributes (TRCs)

Commodity ElectricityAKA “null“MWhs


ularly powerful when combined with lendinginstitutions that provide incentives for energyefficiency and renewable energy options that areintegrated into the building and its financing.

Another innovative approach is exemplified by the proposed Chinese Renewable Energy Promotion Law that would mandate all newbuildings (in areas where the annual sunlightexceeds 1500 hours/year) must have installedsolar hot water systems or be plumbed to allow for such systems to be easily installed at a later time.

The Voluntary Green Market – In the United States, voluntary green markets (where electricity consumers voluntarily purchase ahigher proportion of renewable energy thanthey would otherwise receive from their regularutility supply) are growing rapidly. There areover 300 electric utilities that offer Green Pricingprograms to their customers. In addition, oneof the fastest growing markets is for the purchase of renewable energy by commercial /industrial customers who now purchase morethen 23% of the Green-e certified renewableenergy sales. Green-e certified renewable energy sales topped 2 million MWh in 2002 (40 percent of the market) and are expected to double again in 2003.

The Role of Certification/Verification –Credibility is the foundation of the voluntaryrenewable energy market. The voluntary renew-able energy market’s credibility depends uponthe certification and verification of the renewableenergy products sold to end-use customers.There is almost no way individual customers canverify for themselves whether they are receivingwhat they paid for when they purchasedrenewable energy: Was the renewable energyactually generated and put into the electricity

grid proportional to the amount purchased?Did the power actually purchased come fromthe type of renewable facility claimed by theseller? Are the product claims reasonable andverifiable? Is there a quick and credible way the consumer can tell if the renewable energybeing sold meets some reasonable minimumenvironmental standard? Certification/verifi-cation are critical to the establishment and maintenance of retail green power markets.

The Environmental Market – No discussion of renewables would be complete without mentioning their environmental benefits andthe market that is developing around thosebenefits. Though as everyone knows, the UShas not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, nonetheless,concerns about climate change are a key driverfor the U.S. renewable energy market. Commer-cial /industrial customers purchasing renewableenergy do so because of their environmentalbenefits. Most renewable energy incentive poli-cies are rooted at least partly in the desire tocapitalize on renewables’ environmental benefits. TRCs can be disaggregated and their environ-mental benefits (e.g. CO2 , NOx, mercury) soldseparately.

The Role of Outreach and Education –Public education to increase the awareness ofthe renewable energy options available in oursociety goes hand in hand with political supportfor favorable renewable policies and with the public‘s acceptance of renewables that areavailable in the marketplace today. You needdemand-pull as well as supply-push to establisha sustainable environment for renewable energydevelopment. The following are some examplesof the types of innovative outreach campaignswe are seeing in the retail renewable energymarket:

59

Figure 3TRC Based International Financing Mechanism

Renewable EnergyFund for TRCs

TRC or CO2

Credits back to funders

Sources of funds:• Intl.Aid• Private Sector• Other

TRCs to Fund$$$ RE Projekts in

DevelopingCountries

RE Projekts inDevelopingCountriesRE Projekts inDevelopingCountries

RE Projekts inDevelopingCountries

Funds to Purchase TRCs


Clean Energy Advertising Campaign – Thispublic education campaign is designed toinform the common person (not just an environ-mental elite) about the benefits of renewables.The purpose is so renewable programs are notviewed as just another government programbut seen as something that benefits all parts ofthe population. One example is the “CleanEnergy Advertising Campaign” launched by fivenortheast /mid-Atlantic states and is expectedto eventually expand into several other states inthe region. This is a basic advertising campaignwith a ‘public good’ – renewable energy – asthe product being advertised. It has fundingfrom state renewable energy funds as well as anumber of private foundations. It is a model of cooperation that we hope will provide usefulresults.

Product Labeling and Made With Renew-ables – An exciting concept is the “Made withRenewable” label that can be put on consumerproducts that have 50 percent or more of theelectricity used to manufacturing of the productcomes from renewable power. Claims such as“Made with Renewable Energy” and “We BuyCertified Renewable Energy” will appear on consumer products, accompanied by theGreen-e logo and website. The Product LabelingInitiative opens up a new communication channel for company promotion of renewableenergy purchasing, and through package label-ing, brings renewable energy to the attentionof millions of diverse consumers. Green-e is inthe process of launching this program in theU.S. and we have more than twenty companieswho have applied to use this logo. They includeseveral food companies (rice products, naturaljuice, energy bars, etc.) as well as a carpet company and some beverage firms (beer andwine). By using the Made with Renewables logoand label on the products they sell, they aresetting an example that can encourage theircustomers to do the same. The companies areinterested in showing their environmentalresponsibility as well as setting an example forothers both industry peers and customers.

Point of Purchase Tags (POP Tags) – Earlierthere was a discussion about the purchase ofrenewable certificates to “green” the electricityused by the purchasing customer. But a new

product has entered the market, the use ofmini-tags (certificates less than one MWh insize) that are being sold at the point of purchase(also called POP Tags) specifically to offset thecarbon emitted by the drive to the ski resort, orby the electricity used to power the rock concert,or the carbon emitted by the airplane flight to a vacation resort. These types of products allowthe consumer to offset the carbon that resultsfrom many of their leisure activities. Becausethese POP Tags are in small sizes (and thereforea small cost – <$5), and sold at the point ofsale/use, they become an ‘impulse’ purchase bythe more affluent population.

Summary and Conclusions

We sometimes think that the public, utilitymanagers, building contractors, governmentofficials and others will just see the logic of integrating renewables into our daily activitiesonce they have the facts. But integratingrenewables into the electricity, building andconsumer products sectors is a labor-intensivetask that requires sticks as well as carrots and a lot of outreach and education. Making thesetypes of fundamental changes in our energyand building infrastructure is challenging andtime consuming. But we have come further in a shorter period of time than I had thoughtpossible thirty years ago at the dawn of therenewable energy market. The non-technicalactivities that go hand-in-hand with technologyinnovation are absolutely necessary if we are to achieve a transition to a sustainable energysystem.

60

Science Forum 2004Bernd Hirschl /Esther Hoffmann • Promotion of Renewable Energies for Heating and Cooling

The Background

The promotion of renewable energies is a world-wide crucial challenge. Those sources contributeto the security of the energy supply as theyreduce the use of fossil resources and nuclearenergy, thus alleviating dependence on energyimports. This is an important fact, regardingcosts, balance of trade, political autonomy, eco-nomic security, etc., for most of the industri-alised countries in the European Union as wellas for most developing countries. Renewableenergies are as well the important strategy toreduce greenhouse gases and to gain energy,therefore essential to meet the Kyoto-goals, to mitigate climate change and to build up a sustainable energy system.

The European Union as a leading region in re-newables has shown at the world summit inJohannesburg and in its white paper and renew-able energies-directive that the promotion ofrenewables is an important political issue. TheEU instructs the member states to increase the share of renewable energies of the totalelectricity supply to 12 per cent in the year2010. However most of the activities of the EU-member states concerning regulations andother promotional actions are addressing onlythe power sector – due to the directive 2001/77/EC. For instance the German Act on GrantingPriority to Renewable Energy Sources (Renew-able Energy Sources Act) as the most importantregulative initiative worldwide addresses onlythe power sector. This successful instrument hasled to a renewables share of more than 8 percent to the overall power consumption.1 Thereason for the focus on the power sector so faris lying in its less complex structure comparedto the heating and cooling sector: the wide-spread and nearly complete power supply system(grid) makes regulatory instruments work easilycompared to other sectors.

The Challenge – Promotion ofRenewable Heating & Cooling

Although there is a huge potential for usingrenewable energies for heating and cooling innearly every industrialised country, only a fewof them explore this option seriously.

Renewable heat is produced from • the traditional resource wood and other

biomass with old and innovative technologies(local space-/hot water heating, combined heat and power-plants and distributed heat, district heating)

• active solar systems (e.g. local space-/hot water heating)

• geothermal sources (including heat pumps).

The untapped potentials of renewable heat arelarge. Fig.1 shows the example of Germany. Inthe year 2003 only 58 TWh of renewable heatwere produced, resulting in a percentage of3.9% of the total heat consumption in Ger-many. Studies have identified a potential of 820TWh per year. This corresponds to a rate of55 % of the present heat consumption. Consid-ering that the total heat consumption is goingdown due to increases in efficiency, the rate ofrenewables can get even higher.

Regarding the expansion of renewables in thepower sector we see some success stories incountries like Germany, but we also see theoverall EU target to reach 12% renewables ofthe electricity consumption by 2010 likely to failif no progress is made in the heat sector. TheEuropean Commission itself states in its evalua-tion report about the contribution of renewableenergy sources in the EU: „With the measuresthat have been put in place, the Commissionestimates that the share of renewable energysources in the EU 15 is on course to reach 10 %

61

Promotion of Renewable Energiesfor Heating and Cooling

Bernd Hirschl

Institute for Ecological

Economy Research –

IÖW (Germany)

[email protected]

Esther Hoffmann

Institute for Ecological

Economy Research –

IÖW (Germany)

[email protected]

1 See Hirschl, Bernd et al. (2002): Markt- und Kostenentwicklung Erneurbarer Energien. 2 Jahre EEG – Bilanz und Ausblick. Erich-Schmidt-Verlag, Berlin; and Hirschl, Bernd et al. (2004): Gutachten zum 2. EEG-Erfahrungsbericht (forthcoming).


in 2010. The shortfall compared to the 12 %target is caused by sluggish growth of renew-able energy markets for heating and cooling,leading to the conclusion that considerableadditional action is needed in this sector toallow the full 12 % target to be reached.”2

Discussion on instruments

Renewable heating and cooling technologiescannot reach significant market shares withoutpolitical support. This is a crucial regulatorychallenge of the years to come, because – asmentioned before – the heating & cooling market situation is much more complex than in the power sector. Innovative instrumentswith a wide-scale impact are rare as well asnational regulatory attempts are.

The production of heat shows some specificproblems that complicate the search for suit-able solutions. First, in most countries there isan insufficient grid system. While in Europeancountries electricity grids are almost every-

where, heating grids are concentrated in bigcities and densely populated regions. The systems are mostly decentralised and, second,private resulting in a considerable amount ofactors involved in the production of renewableheat, thus making it difficult to address theseactors by political measures. Third, the demandfor heat is unsteady due to seasonal influencesand the possibilities to store heat during alonger period are still a matter of research.

In contrast to the electricity sector, there existsalmost no systematic approach to political support systems for heating or cooling. Somecountries address parts of the market, such asIsrael, Spain and Australia that have regulationson solar thermal heat. Other countries like Germany and Austria search for solutions butare still in a conceptual phase.3

Fig. 2 gives an overview about possible politicalinstruments for the heat sector. They can bedistinguished in regulatory and market-basedinstruments, as well as accompanying measures.

Regulatory instruments are obligations andincentives or exemptions. Israel and some com-munities in Spain have applied obligations toinstall solar thermal systems when constructingor rehabilitating a building.

Market-based instruments can be distinguishedin price-based and quantity-based instruments.Price-based instruments steer by the price.These are for instance feed-in tariffs, which areapplied in the electricity sector. The GermanRenewable Energy Sources Act is an examplefor such a feed-in-tariff together with the prioritisation of grid-supplied electricity fromrenewable sources. It is difficult to adopt such a regulation for the heat sector that has nocomparable grid, infrastructure and “simple”value chain. Thus, guaranteed prices for heatproduction are discussed. Other examples,which are already applied, are taxes (e.g. on

62

Figure 1Present use of renewable heat in Germany compared to potential use

2 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: The share of renewable energy in the EUCommission Report in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 2001/77/EC, evaluation of the effect of legislative instruments andother Community policies on the development of the contribution of renewable energy sources in the EU and proposals for concrete actions. COM (2004) 366 final, Brussels, 26.5.20043 The Institute for Ecological Economy Research (Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung IÖW)is currently working on a poli-cy advice project on renewable heat instruments. the aim of the project is to develop assessmant criteria, to assess differentinstruments and to develop alternative instruments. The project is commissioned by the German Environmental Ministry and theGerman Environmental Protection Agency.

1000

800

600

400

200

0

TWh/a

solar thermal

geothermal heat

biomass

Percentage of total heat consumtion

2003 Potential

290

330

200

55 %

2

2

54

3,9%

Source: own diagram, data from Nitsch et al. (2004): Ökologisch optimierter Ausbau derNutzung erneuerbarer Energien in Deutschland, BMU, Berlin.


fossil fuels or carbon dioxide), tax exemptions,and subsidies. In Germany, for instance, thepresent approach is a large subsidy programmewhich includes subsidies for the construction ofsolar thermal, geothermal and biomass heatingsystems. In times of decreasing public budgets,subsidy programmes are criticised and they areusually not sufficient to reach a significant market share of the supported technologies.

Quantity-based systems steer by the quantity.These are for instance tradable certificates andtendering processes. Australia has a certificatesystem for renewable electricity that additionallyaddresses parts of the heat market since solarthermal systems are included if they replaceelectrical heating systems. Tendering processesor bidding systems have so far been applied inthe electricity sector, only.

Accompanying measures consist of voluntaryagreements, public awareness campaigns, R&Dprogrammes, and other measures. The city ofBerlin went into a voluntary agreement withthe local housing sector and the local industry,in 1997. This voluntary agreement contains the installation of solar thermal systems, thermalinsulation of buildings, and the installation ofdistrict heating. Hitherto, this voluntary agree-ment did not meet the targets set for the installation rate of solar thermal systems. Publicawareness campaigns are a useful tool forincreasing the knowledge on and the interest in renewable heating systems. Moreover,

eco-labelling can be used to promote renew-able heating systems. Since renewable heattechnologies are rather young, R&D is neededto improve the systems and for cost cutting. The companies involved in this sector are mostlysmall or medium-sized and need financial support for R&D. In addition, the education andtraining of engineers, architects, and craftsmenhave to be improved.The instruments most discussed for the heat sector are tradable quota-based certificates, guaranteed prices, andobligations. As shown above, obligations andtradable certificates are already applied to a certain extend, but larger experiences have tobe made to get the possibility to assess them.

The side-event at the renewables

Against that background the Institute for Eco-logical Economy Research (Institut für ökologischeWirtschaftsforschung IÖW) organised togetherwith the German Renewable Energy Federation(Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien BEE) and the European Renewable Energy Federation(EREF) a side event at the RENEWABLES 2004 in Bonn, titled: Promotion of renewable energies for heating (& cooling) – Innovative instrumentsin industrialised countries and initiatives in the EU

63

Figure 2Possible politicalinstruments for therenewable heat sector

feed-in tariff/guarantueed

pricestax tax

exemption

regulatoryinstruments

instruments

quantity-based

voluntaryagreements

public awareness

R&D programme

tenderingprocess

tradeablecertificatessubsidies

market-basedinstruments

obliga-tions

incentives/exemptions price-based

accompanyingmeasures

Source: Institute for EcologicalEconomy Research (IÖW)


The intentions and objectives of the plannedside event were • to provide an overview on innovative

instruments/mechanisms to promote renew-able heat (with the focus on industrialised countries)

• to show good practise examples (selected countries and models respectively experi-ences) to foster discussion between politiciansfrom different countries

• to stimulate/present national and EU-initiatives

Therefore a wide range of speakers had beeninvited to give “good examples” and to discussperspectives and needs for the promotion ofrenewable heating and cooling.4

The first speaker was Esther Hoffmann from theInstitute for Ecological Economy Research. She opened up the side-event by giving anoverview on the subject. Main intention of her lecture was to show the points which areimportant to discuss within the field of renew-able heat production and instruments to supportit. She gave a short introduction about the situation in other countries. Although there isno systematic instrumental approach to promoterenewable heating and cooling, some countriesdo already address parts of the market (e.g.Israel, Spain, Australia). Some countries likeGermany and Austria are working on the development of broader instruments (see IÖW-project mentioned above). Esther Hoffmannexplained also briefly the technologies available,the possibilities to use them and the main problems regarding a support-mechanism, whichare: an insufficient grid, often decentralised and private systems and an unsteady demand.

The following speakers reported about thenational situation concerning renewable energyinstruments addressing heating and cooling indifferent European countries that can be namedas “good practises” or instructive examples. Allspeakers are high representatives from nationalor international renewable energies associations.

Christiane Egger from an Austrian association(Oberöstereichischer Energiesparverband)focussed on biomass heating, which is a veryfast growing field in Austria since many yearsnow. So 14 % of total energy consumption comesfrom biomass at present. Main instruments tosupport renewable heating in Austria are legaland administrative measures and financial support as well as consulting for business andprivate sector to improve the awareness forpossibilities of using renewable energy sources.She pointed out that positive and target group oriented communication and marketingwas and is a crucial point to the success of any measures.

The example of Sweden was reported by PeterDanielsson, president of the European Renew-able Energies Federation (EREF). In Sweden ashare of 21% of total heat consumption is provided by biomass and biofuels. Whereasrenewable heat has been supported in an indirect way by raising taxes on fuels, certificatesare introduced at present to ensure a furthergrowth of this share. The certificates mainlyaddress larger plants. Therefore further im-provements concerning the renewable heat in general and for smaller plants in particularare needed.

The third national example – Spain – has beendepicted by Raffaele Piria from the EuropeanSolar Themal Industry Federation (ESTIF). Hefocused on solar thermal heating and explainedan action plan, which has allowed a very fastrising of installed capacity of solar thermalinstallations in Barcelona. In this example, anordinance on solar thermal installations weregiven, which made solar thermal installationsobligatory in case of new buildings or majorrenovations of such buildings which have a great demand of hot water. Within 15 monthsthe capacity of solar thermal installations rosefrom 1,1 m2 up to more than 10 m2/1000 inha-bitants. Advantages of this so called “Barcelonamodel” are lower prices for solar thermal energy,awareness about the possibility of using renew-

644 The side-event was moderated by Bernd Hirschl (Institute for Ecological Economy Research) and Johannes Lackmann (German Renewable Energy Federation)


able energy sources, a consolidating of marketstructures and of course several long-term effects. Piria introduced a Joint Declaration as well, presented in January 2004 at the Europeanrenewables conference in Berlin, the so called“RES-H initiative”.5 A broad coalition of Euro-pean industry, research and NGOs called for: • Verifiable national and EU targets• Strong regulations• Financial incentives• Promotion campaigns• R & D

Burkhard Sanner from the German and Euro-pean Geothermal Association put a focus ongeothermal power. The principal advantage ofgeothermal power compared to most of theother renewable energy sources is the stabilityof availability. However there is no possibility to transport geothermal power. It has to beused very close to the place where it surfaces.Sanner reported about some good examplesconcerning grid-use and supporting instrumentsin Sweden and Italy.

The situation and possible measures in Germanyhave been discussed by Hans-Josef Fell, memberof the German Parliament (Green Party, Euro-solar). He pointed out the problems with nationalfinances and subsidies when households areshort of cash. Possible instruments for Germanycould be a modification of the German buildingact, to obligate people to use renewable energies,as well as increased prices through taxes for fossilenergies.

Karl Kellner from DG TREN (transport andenergy) of the European Commission explainedthe EU-policy for renewable heating and cooling.In his presentation he accentuated the relevanceof cooling besides renewable heating andprospected the consideration of cooling withinthe next EU research program (FP 6). Kellneragreed that a legal base is needed, one examplehe mentioned is the European building direc-tive. Furthermore he stresses the need of usingcogeneration. The new member states of the

EU have started wide-spread activities in thisfield.

Finally Mechthild Rothe, member of the Euro-pean Parliament (her paper was represented byan assistant) pointed out the role of EU policyfor renewable energies and presented a seconddeclaration for the promotion of renewableheating and cooling that was passed at a con-ference in Bielefeld, Germany (the “Bielefelddeclaration”6).

The final discussion about national good prac-tises and instruments for supporting renewableheating and cooling was dominated by theagreement, that a legal framwork at a Europeanlevel like the directive for the renewable powersector is needed. The side-event closed withrecommendations for the further national de-velopment of instruments, the sharing of goodpractises, the development of differentiated and integrated approaches for all relevant renew-able technologies and the creation of a frame-work and the expression of binding targets on a European level.

655 See http://www.estif.org6 See http://www.rothe-europa.de


Speakers at the Side-eventPromotion of RE for Heating & Cooling – Innovative Instruments in Industrialized Countries and Initiatives in the EU

Bernd Hirschl/Johannes Lackmann(IÖW, BEE)Short welcome by organisers, facilitation

Esther Hoffmann(IÖW)Introductory input – the importance of renewable heat and instrument overview

Peter Danielsson(EREF)National example 1: Sweden & focus biomass

Christiane Egger(Oberösterr. Energiesparverband)National example 2: Austria & focus biomass

Raffaele Piria(ESTIF)National example 3: Spain & Focus solar thermal

Burkhard Sanner(Geothermal Association e.V. GtV)Focus on Geothermal Energy

Hans-Josef Fell(Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) Green Party; Eurosolar)National example 4: Germany & policy forrenewable heat

Karl Kellner (DG TREN)EU policy for renewable heating & cooling –state of the art and perspectives

Mechthild Rothe(MdEP, Eurofores)EU policy for renewable heating & cooling – the need for new initiatives

66

Science Forum 2004Rian van Staden • Transitioning to a Renewable Energy Future

ISES is one of the world’s largest scientific andtechnical non-governmental organisations inthe field of Renewable Energy. It is recognizedby the United Nations as a consulting, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and is amember of the United Nations Economic &Social Committee (ECOSOC).

Founded in 1954 as an international, non-profitorganisation, the International Solar EnergySociety was formed with the goal of promotingthe use of solar and renewable energy world-wide. It has some 30,000 members in morethan 110 countries. They are interested in allaspects of the environmentally friendly use ofenergy, especially Renewable Energy. ISES seesitself as a forum for everyone who deals withthis topic.

The goal of ISES is to support sustainable development world-wide with the intelligent,appropriate use of Renewable Energy tech-nology. The Society promotes the research,development, and use of technologies dependent either directly or indirectly on thesun that reduce the damaging effects of energyuse. In this context, ISES has focused on threebasic fields for the future: cities/urban areas,rural areas, and social responsibility. In theprocess, ISES also aims to raise awareness bothamong the public and decision-makers in politicsand the industry of newest developments andfindings in the research and application of solarenergy. This awareness is aimed at furtheringthe growing understanding of and willingnessto use solar energy in everyday life. ISES hasinternalised the concept of “thinking globallyand acting locally” as an intrinsic part of theSociety’s structure.

Since the Rio Conference in 1992, ISES haslaunched a multitude of projects and initiativesin conjunction with economic, political andresearch leaders to support the increased use ofRenewable Energy and to help industry torealise them.

The members of ISES form the foundation uponwhich the ideals, goals and activities of the society are built. A rich source of knowledge,experience and ideas, it is commitment andparticipation that set the ISES membership apart.Drawn from all over the world, our membersform a global community, unified through common goals. Their service requirements drivethe services and products the Society offers.

Communication between researchers, industrialists and politicians is actively supportedby ISES through activities such as journals, magazines, meetings, conferences, congressesand a website. With the help of partners, ISEShas established a communication system calledWIRE (World-wide Information System onRenewable Energy, http://wire.ises.org/) to allowthe creation of a global ‘one stop shop’ forrenewable energy information with links to allother important renewable energy sites.

The ISES journal (Solar Energy Journal) and conferences allow excellent technical exchangeto occur between renewable energy engineers,architects and physicists. ISES also welcomesnon-specialists to participate in ISES congressesand conferences, as well as to exchange view-points in the magazine (Refocus) and meetings.ISES is rapidly and proactively increasing its project programme to ‚seed’ renewable energytechnology world-wide. It co-operates withmany other international organisations.

Transitioning to a RenewableEnergy Future

At the Science Forum in Bonn, ISES used theopportunity to introduce the salient points of its new white paper of the same title.

The White Paper provides a rationale for effectivegovernmental renewable energy policies worldwide, as well as sufficient information to 67

Transitioning to a Renewable Energy Future

Rian van Staden

ISES – International Solar

energy Society

[email protected]


accelerate effective governmental policies. It isthe thesis of this White Paper that a worldwideeffort to generate the renewable energy tran-sition must emerge at the top of national andinternational political agendas, starting now.

In the history of human energy use, the WhitePaper records that sustainable resources werethe sole world supply, even in nascent industrialdevelopment well into the 1800s, and that theworld will necessarily again have to turn to sustainable resources before the present centuryis over. The fossil fuel period is therefore an“era”, not an age, and highly limited in time incomparison with the evolution, past and future,of civilizations and societies. Accordingly, it iscritical for governments to view what remainsof the fossil fuel era as a transition.

The White Paper reveals that policies now inexistence, and economic experience gained bymany countries to date, should be sufficientstimulation for governments to adopt aggressivelong-term actions that can accelerate the widespread applications of renewable energy,and to get on a firm path toward a worldwide“renewable energy transition”, so that 20% ofworld electric energy production can comefrom renewable energy sources by 2020, and50% of world primary energy production by 2050. There can be no guarantee for this to happen, but the White Paper presents com-pelling arguments that show it is possible,desirable, and even mandatory.

The window of time during which convenientand affordable fossil energy resources are avail-able to build the new technologies and devicesand to power a sustained and orderly final greatworld energy transition is short – an economictimeline that is far shorter than the time ofphysical availability of the “conventional” energyresources. The White Paper argues that theattractive economic, environmental, security andreliability benefits of the accelerated use ofrenewable energy resources should be sufficientto warrant policies that “pull” the changes necessary, avoiding the “push” of the otherwisenegative consequences of governmental inaction.There is still time left for this.

The White Paper presents three major conditionsthat are driving public policy toward a renew-able energy transition: 1) newly emerging andbetter understood environmental constraints; 2) the need to reduce the myriads of risks fromeasy terrorist targets and from breakdowns intechnologies on which societies depend; and 3) the attractiveness of the economic and environmental opportunities that will open during the renewable energy transition.

The renewable energy transition will accelerateas governments discover how much better the renewable energy policies and applicationsare for economies than the present time- andresource-limited policies and outmoded andunreliable centralized systems for power pro-duction and distribution.

Today, it is public policy and political leadership,rather than either technology or economics,that are required to move forward with thewidespread application of the renewable energytechnologies and methodologies. The techno-logies and economics will all improve withtime, but the White Paper shows that they aresufficiently advanced at present to allow formajor penetrations of renewable energy intothe mainstream energy and societal infrastruc-tures. Firm goals for penetrations of renewableenergy into primary energy and electrical energyproduction can be set by governments withconfidence for the next 20 years and beyond,without resource limitations.

Specifically, with regard to the renewable energy technologies, the White Paper showsthe following:

Bioenergy: About 11% of world primary energy use at present is derived from bioenergy, the only carbon-neutral combustible carbon resource,but that is only 18% of today’s estimatedbioenergy potential. Estimates for world bio-energy potential in 2050 average about 450 EJ,which is more than the present total world primary energy demand. Fuel “costs” for theconventional resources become instead ruraleconomic benefits with bioenergy, producinghundreds of thousands of new jobs and newindustries. 68


Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy has been used to provideheat for human comfort for thousands of years,and to produce electricity for the past 90 years.While geothermal energy is limited to thoseareas with access to this resource, the size ofthe resource is huge. Geothermal energy can be a major renewable energy resource for atleast 58 countries: thirty-nine countries couldbe 100% geothermal powered, with four moreat 50%, five more at 20%, and eight more at10%. Geothermal energy, along with bioenergy,can serve as stabilizing “baseload” resources in networks with the intermittent renewableenergy resources.

Wind Power: Global installed wind power capacity exceeded32,000 MW by the end of 2002, and has beengrowing at a 32% rate per year. Utility-scale windturbines are now in 45 countries. The price ofwind-produced electricity is now competitivewith new coal-fired power plants, and shouldcontinue to reduce to where it will soon be theleast expensive of all of the new electricity-producing resources. A goal of 12% of theworld’s electricity demand from wind by 2020appears to be within reach. So is a goal of 20%of Europe’s electricity demand by 2020. Thisdevelopment pace is consistent with the histo-rical pace of development of hydroelectric andnuclear energy. The 20% penetration goal forthe intermittent renewable energy resources isachievable within present utility operations,without requiring energy storage.

Solar Energy: The energy from the sun can be used directly to heat or light buildings, and to heat water, inboth developed and developing nations. Thesun’s radiant energy can also directly providevery hot water or steam for industrial processes,heat fluids through concentration to tempera-tures sufficient to produce electricity in thermal-electric generators or to run heat enginesdirectly, and produce electricity through thephotovoltaic effect.

It can be used directly to enhance public safety,to bring light and the refrigeration of food andmedicine to the 1.8 billion people of the worldwithout electricity, and to provide communica-

tions to all regions of the world. It can be usedto produce fresh water from the seas, to pumpwater and power irrigation systems, and todetoxify contaminated waters, addressing perhaps the world’s most critical needs forclean water. It can even be used to cook foodwith solar box cookers, replacing the constantwood foraging that denudes eco-systems andcontaminates the air in the dwellings of thepoor. Buildings: in the industrial nations, from35% to 40% of total national primary use ofenergy is consumed in buildings, a figure whichapproaches 50% when taking into account the energy costs of building materials and theinfrastructure to serve buildings. Letting the sun shine into buildings in the winter to heatthem, and letting diffused daylight enter thebuilding to displace electric lighting, are boththe most efficient and least costly forms of thedirect use of solar energy.

Data are mounting that demonstrate conclu-sively enhancements of human performance in day-lit buildings, with direct economic andeducational benefits that greatly multiply theenergy-efficiency “paybacks”. The integrateddesign of “climate-responsive” buildings through“whole building” design methods enables majorcost-savings in actual construction, normallyyielding 30% to 50% improvement in energyefficiency of new buildings at an average of less than 2% added construction cost, andsometimes at no extra cost.

Serious long-range goals for the application ofsolar domestic water and space heating systemsneed to be established by all governments,totalling several hundred million square metersof new solar water heating systems world-wideby 2010. A worldwide goal of 100,000 MW ofinstalled concentrating solar power (CSP) technology by 2025 is also an achievable goalwith potentially great long-term benefits.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar electric technology isgrowing worldwide at an amazing pace, morethan doubling every two years. The value ofsales in 2002 of about US$ 3.5 billion is projectedto grow to more than US$ 27.5 billion by 2012.PV in developed and developing nations alikecan enhance local employment, strengthenlocal economies, improve local environments, 69


increase system and infrastructure reliability,and provide for greater security. Building-integrated PV systems (BIPV) with modestamounts of storage can provide for continuityof essential governmental and emergency operations, and can help to maintain the safetyand integrity of the urban infrastructure intimes of crisis. PV applications should be an element of any security planning for cities and urban centres in the world.

Policy:The White Paper stresses the importance ofgovernmental policies that can enhance theoverall economic productivity of the expendi-tures for energy, and the great multiplier in the creation of jobs from expenditures for therenewable energy resources rather than for theconventional energy sources. Utilities are not in the job producing business, but governmentsare, supporting the need for governments tocontrol energy policies and energy resourcedecisions.

National policies to accelerate the developmentof the renewable energy resources are outlined,emphasizing that mutually supporting policiesare necessary to generate a long-term balancedportfolio of the renewable energy resources.Beginning with important city examples, thediscussion moves to national policies, such assetting renewable energy standards with firmpercentage goals to be met by definite dates.The specific example of the successful German“feed-in” laws is used to illustrate many of these points.

Market-based incentives are described in theWhite Paper, to compare with legislated goalsand standards, and discussed in terms of effectiveness. It is shown that various voluntarymeasures, such as paying surcharges for “greenpower”, can provide important supplements to funding for renewable energy, but that theycannot be sufficient to generate reliable, long-term growth in the renewable energy industries,nor to secure investor confidence. Reliable andconsistent governmental policies and supportmust be the backbone for the accelerated growthof the industries.

It is also shown in this White Paper that theenergy market is not “free”, that historicalincentives for the conventional energy resourcescontinue even today to bias markets by buryingmany of the real societal costs of their use. It is noted that the very methodologies used forestimating “levelized” costs for energy resourcesare flawed, and that they are not consistentwith the more realistic economic methodologiesused by modern industries. Taking into accountfuture fuel supply risk and price volatility in net present valuations of energy resource alter-natives paints a very different picture, one inwhich the renewable energy resources arerevealed to be competitive or near-competitiveat the present time.

The White Paper concludes with the presentationof two comprehensive national energy policiesto demonstrate the method of integration ofvarious individual strategies and incentives intosingle, long-range policies with great potentialreturns, including

• National multi-year goals for assured and increasing markets for renewable energy systems, such as „Renewable Energy Standards” (also called, in the U.S., „Renewable Portfolio Standards“, or RPS), or the EU Renewables Directive, especially when formulated to support balanced development of a diversity of renewable energy technologies;

• Production incentives, such as “feed-in” laws, production tax credits (PTC), and net metering;

• Financing mechanisms, such as bonds, low-interest loans, tax credits and accelerateddepreciation, and green power sales;

• System wide surcharges, or system benefits charges (SBC), to support financial incentive payments and loans, R&D and public interest programs;

• Credit trading mechanisms, such as Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) or carbon reduction credits, to enhance the value of renewable energy, to increase the market access to those energy sources, and to value the environmental benefits of renewables; specific governmental renewable energy “quotas” for city and state renewable energy procurements; 70


• Removal of procedural, institutional and economic barriers for renewable energy, and facilitation of the integration of renewable energy resources into grids and societal infrastructure;

• Consistent regulatory treatment, uniform codes and standards, and simplified and standardized interconnection agreements;

• Economic balancing mechanisms, such as pollution or carbon taxes (which can then be diverted as “zero sum” incentives to the non-polluting and non-carbon technologies);

• “Levelling the playing field” by redressing the continuing inequities in public subsidies of energy technologies and R&D, in which the fossil fuels and nuclear power continue to receive the largest share of support.

Solar Energy from Then to Now and Beyond

Solar energy is not an “alternative energy”. It is the original and continuing primary energysource. All life and all civilizations have alwaysbeen powered by solar energy. Expanding thetechnical applications of solar energy and itsother renewable energy cousins to carry civili-zations forward is simply a logical extension ofits historic role, but also the inescapable key to achieving sustainability for human societies.

The White Paper is available fromhttp://whitepaper.ises.org/

More Information about the “Energy RichJapan” Project (Reports, Simulation, Anima-tion): www.energyrichjapan.info

71

Science Forum 2004Harry Lehmann • Full Solar Supply of Industrialized Countries – The Example Japan

It has long been known that to protect peopleand the environment from both nuclear risksand dangerous levels of climate change, wemust phase out the use of nuclear and fossilfuels, and switch to clean energy technologyinstead. Using Japan as a example, the “EnergyRich Japan” Project illustrates that the vision of a clean, green, energy-rich future is not onlypossible, but globally feasible.

Renewable energy technologies using regionalor global sources, coupled with a reduction inenergy use by adopting energy efficient tech-nologies, offer the only safe and proven optionopen to us for future energy needs. The objec-tive of this study is to show that a region suchas Japan is able to supply all of its own energy

needs with this option, and to use the report toinfluence the discussion over the change fromfossil and nuclear energy sources to a sustainableenergy system.

Japan is a heavily industrialised country, with apopulation of 127 million living in a small islandnation, yet in 1999 it was the world’s secondmost powerful economy, with an industrial basethat was recognised as one of the most energyefficient globally.

Japan was forced to become relatively energyefficient because it has very little domestic sup-plies of what are known as conventional energysources. This industrial powerhouse meets thebulk of its energy demand by importing nuclear

73

Figure 1Demand 1999 and the High Efficiency Model

Full Solar Supply of IndustrializedCountries – The Example Japan

Harry Lehmann

Institute for Sustainable

Solutions and Innovations

(Germany) and

additional contributors1

[email protected]

1 Contributors: Institute for Sustainable Solutions and Innovations: Martina Kruska; University of Lüneburg: Gary Evans, StefanHerbergs, Daigo Ichiro, Karl Mallon, Mika Ohbayashi, Stefan Peter, Kae Takase, Iida Tetsunari; Wuppertal Institute: Dirk Aßmann;EUTech Aachen, ISEP Tokio; Commissioned by Greenpeace International and Greepeace Japan

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and fossil fuels, supplemented by a small amountof domestic oil and gas production, as well assome hydro and geothermal power. Japan’stotal primary energy consumption in 1999 stoodat just over 22,970 Petajoules, (A Petajoule is a1000 million, million joules). Of those, 18,500Petajoules (80 %) were imported as nuclear andfossil fuels.

Yet Japan could be independently rich in ener-gy. Using baseline data from 1999, the “EnergyRich Japan” report shows how a combination of the best energy efficiency technologies avail-able today, and a massive investment in renew-able energy, could ultimately provide Japanwith 100 % of its energy needs from renewables– including transportation fuels – withoutexpensive and environmentally damaging

imported fossil and nuclear fuels. Rather thanseeking “energy security” through its hugelyexpensive and polluting nuclear program, forexample, Japan could instead build its ownrenewable energy industry. As an energy-hungryand supposedly “resource- poor” country, Japancould make this transition to clean, renewableenergy without any sacrifice in living standardsor industrial capacity.

The report takes Japan’s current energy use,based on 1999 levels, and shows that demandcould be reduced by 50 % with energy efficienttechnologies that are already available aroundthe world today. The “ERJ High EfficiencyDemand Model” showed that using highlyenergy efficient technologies could save nearly40% of today’s energy consumption in the74

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Figure 2Domestic gross energyproduction in petajoulesusing energy conversiontechnologies fromrenewable sources inJapan as used in thesix scenarios.


industrial sector, more than 50% in the residential and commercial sectors and about70% in the transport sector.

It then shows how renewable energy could be used to meet that new level of demand,reducing and ultimately eliminating the needfor imports. Six scenarios of how this mighthappen are outlined in the report, all of whichcan provide 100 % renewable energy for Japan.Starting from a basic model (Scenario One)providing more than 50 % of total energyneeds from domestic renewable sources, eachsubsequent scenario provides variations orexpansions on Scenario One, gradually reducingthe reliance on imported energy, factoring indifferent population projections and expectedimprovements in renewable generation capacityand energy efficiencies, until by Scenarios Fiveand Six, no energy imports are required.As supply reliability is most acute in the electri-city sector where supply and demand must

be fully matched in time, a simulation of theJapanese electrical power system and part ofthe heating system was done with the computerprogramme SimREN.

This study does not attempt to answer two keyquestions: How quickly can such a system beimplemented and how much will this systemcost? To demonstrate the possibility of a solarenergy supply for Japan, it is not necessary tospecify the costs and the timeframe such adevelopment will require.

The systems described here provide a frame-work for a debate about the restructuring of the Japanese energy economy. Howeverrestructuring with renewable energy does notneed to be limited to the ideas described in this report. Other systems that can supply Japanwith renewable energy are also possible.All of the scenarios are able to be met in Japan,both in technical terms and in terms of natural 75

Figure 3Electricity, heat andfuel production in allsix “Energy-RichJapan” scenarios.

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resources, such as wind, solar radiation andgeothermal capacity. The decisive factors willbe public acceptance, priorities set by nationalpolicy in terms of energy security and interna-tional commitments and the future developmentof renewable energy technologies. “Energy RichJapan” is an ambitious concept, yet conservativein its methodology. Admittedly its implementa-tion would involve considerable investment ininfrastructure and far reaching changes to theway Japan designs and builds its future industrial,residential, commercial and transport sectors.Compared to the environmental dangers faced

globally by climate change and nuclear accidents,the costs of not developing sustainable energysystems, be they in Japan or anywhere aroundthe world, are potentially far greater.

How to achieve to a sustainable energy systemis the question, we hope, we have addressedwith this study. What we need now is the desireand will to make it happen.

More Information about the “Energy RichJapan” Project (Reports, Simulation,Animation): www.energyrichjapan.info

76

Figure 4The figures show thedynamics of electricitygeneration for twoweeks of the year.

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The supply-system always produces enough electricity to cover the demand. If there is low electricity production of windenergyand photovoltaics at the same time, pumped storages get used to guarantee full supply (see days 14, 18, 19 and 271).

77

Knowledge for Development:Capacity Building in Renewable Energies for Poverty Alleviation

• Research and Development Needs for Renewable Energies in Developing Countries

• Capacity Building for Sustainable Energy Development and Poverty Allevation in Sub-Saharan Africa – The Contribution of AFREPREN

• Possible Cooperation between Arab and European Countries in Energy, Water and Environmental Issues

• Capacity Building in Developing Countries – Bringing Renewable Energy to the People

• UNESCO’s GREET Programme in a Latinamerican View

Science Forum 2004

AbstractThe future for renewable energy sources (“renew-ables”) in the developing world, if properly harnessed, looks bright and the prospects aregood. There are vast reserves of and highpotential for the use of different renewableenergies (RE), be they solar, hydro, wind, wave,hydrogen, waste, etc. However, these remainlargely unexploited due to a combination offacto; particularly economics, lack of appropriateresearch and development and the absence ofenabling policy instruments. At the same time,access to modern, commercial energy servicesis usually too low to facilitate meaningful eco-nomic development in developing countries.Sub-Saharan Africa, the world’s most under-developed region, with 17% of the world population and blessed with abundant mineralresources, consumes less than 3% of the worldprimary energy supply. Most of the developingworld’s energy needs could, theoretically, bemet by the vast renewable energy potential.However, despite decades of attempts to supplymodern renewable energy technologies (RETs),the energy landscape remains largely unchanged.Traditional fuels (biomass in Africa) continue to dominate the energy use patterns. Therehave been numerous spectacular instances offailed RETs, uncoordinated renewable energyprogrammes and piecemeal demonstrations or pilot projects. Even in the case of successes,these have largely remained undocumentedand lessons learned are therefore lost.

This calls for a paradigm shift in R+D, particularlyrelating to RET solutions. There is a need for R+Dwhich does not ONLY focus on flooding thedeveloping world with an array of technologiesthat deliver short term benefits, but an R+Dprocess that addresses the expressed needs ofthe users in an integrated manner. Such an

approach will provide answers to the key questions: What are the energy needs specificto the users and how do they link to otherdevelopment needs? How to transform theenergy needs to effective demand? What is thebest technology mix to meet these needs? The R+D needs of developing countries relateto challenges that address embedded socio-economic needs, identification of appropriateenergy technologies that are informed by local conditions, and the need for R+D on sustainable business models to stimulate localrenewable industries.

Introduction

There is currently a global optimism regardingthe future for RE and its potential role in sus-tainable development. While there are differentjustifications for the introduction of RE into themainstream national energy economies, thepotential to sustain economic development,while minimising the adverse effect on theenvironment, is a common rallying point. There is also a high level commitment globallyto accelerate the use of renewables. This com-mitment is supported by the ready availabilityof capital from multinational agencies, nationalgovernments and the private sector to fundviable RE projects. The World Summit on Sus-tainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburgprovided a necessary platform to initiate unifiedand purposeful global efforts, known as Type IIactivities, towards accelerating actions designedto exploit renewables worldwide. One of thekey outputs of the 2004 World RenewablesConference in Bonn is to provide concreteimplementation strategies and joint RE projects.

79

Mongameli Mehlwana • R + D Needs for RE in Developing Countries

Mongameli Mehlwana1

GRA/CSIR (South Africa)

[email protected]

Research and Development Needs for Renewable Energies in Developing Countries

1 The author acknowledges the technical support provided by Dr. Gert Venter, Thomas Roos, Stefan Szewczuk and Sydney Parsons(all of CSIR). A special thanks to Dr. Pete Ashton for his useful comments and thorough editing. While most issues expressedherein represent the CSIR Energy Trust, the conclusions are those of the author alone.

Science Forum 2004Mongameli Mehlwana • R + D Needs for RE in Developing Countries

With respect to the developing world, theaccelerated use of renewables in countries’energy mixes has important additional benefits.Access to modern fuels in many developingcountries is a cause for concern. In the ‘business-as-usual-scenario’, more and more households,particularly in rural regions of Africa, will foreverrely on dwindling biomass fuels to meet theirenergy needs. Estimates indicate that the current reliance on biomass (mainly woodfuel)is between 70–80 %. Providing conventionalenergy in the form of electricity is usuallyuneconomical, and the costs are beyond thereach of many households situated in ruralareas. This scenario certainly does not encour-age economic growth and development inthese areas. Access to affordable, adequate andmodern energy services is the engine for acountry’s development and a cornerstone inalleviating poverty. Effective introduction ofrenewables in developing economies couldfacilitate and fast-track development processes,while improving the options and quality of lifeavailable to the poor.

Despite this situations, there are many dynamicchallenges to be faced in attempting to accel-erate the uptake of RE in developing countries.These relate to policy frameworks that favourrenewables, availability of appropriate RETs,focussed R+D on appropriate technologies andproject implementation strategies, lack of base-line studies, funding, etc. Most of these barriershave largely been removed, though several critical ones still remain. This paper argues thatnow is the opportunity to devise effectiveimplementation strategies that are informed bypast experiences, and based on internationalbest practices. The focus of this would be to

isolate the key needs of developing countries,related to renewables, that can be addressed byinnovative R+D, whilst creating and embeddinglocal skills and expertise in the process.

The Future for RenewableEnergy in the DevelopingWorld

Global Push for Renewables The positive euphoria regarding the enormouspotential of RE should be viewed against theglobal fear of the consequences of relying toomuch on fossil fuels for economic growth. A lot has been said about the negative effects of emissions from the production, transmission,distribution and consumption of fossil fuels,particularly oil and coal. Much of the globalagenda on renewables (and energy efficiency)is driven by this fear, as well as the need toensure the long-term – and diversity of – supplyof environment-benign energy.

As most developing countries are net exportersof energy, as well as possessing few energyintensive industries, their emission levels areinsignificant on a global scale. Therefore, theagenda for renewables in developing countriesshould be to satisfy the energy needs of two billion people without access to modern andclean energy sources. The question, therefore,has to be ‘Can renewable energies meet theneeds of developing countries?’

Theoretically, all the global energy needs /demand could be provided by RE [1]. However,currently used technologies cannot tap the current potential. Even the market penetrationof RETs is below the economic potential. At the level of a developing country, penetration ofRETs is least. Even the number of RETs currentlyin circulation remains unknown because of lackof reliable data on RE projects. The point, there-fore, is that on their own, renewables cannotmeet the energy demand of developing countries.At a practical level, renewables in developingcountries should be introduced as one of theenergy options (including non-renewables) in the context of “Energisation” (see below).

80

Figure 1Potential for Renewables [1]

Theoretical Potential

Technical Potential

Economic Potential

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Prerequisites for Sustainable Renewables TakeoffThe global (read “developed” countries’) pushfor renewables will not attain any sustainablelevel of success if developing countries are notsupportive or receptive. Pro-activity is the keyword for success and developing countriesmust want renewables. The “want” should be determined by the policy frameworks thatfavour renewables and contribute to thegrowth of RET businesses in local economies.Unfortunately, in many instances, the push for RE comes from developed countries sincethere is a dearth of proactive policies in devel-oping countries. For instance, few countries in Africa have renewables energy policies. Mostattention is, understandably so, focussed oncoal, gas, oil and large-scale hydropower projects.It is significant to note that the energy desk of NEPAD – a framework for Africa’s economicrevival – does not have a renewables mandate.The latter is located within the broader environ-mental desk. Most regional power pools do notprioritise renewables as they do non-renewableenergy. A key prerequisite for sustainable REtakeoff is arguably harmonised regional policiesand strategies. The effectiveness of projectsfunded by multinational agencies and inter-governmental entities will come to be well belowdesired levels if this prerequisite is not addressed.

However, one of the often cited barriers to formulation of realistic, informed and effectivepolicies, particularly in Africa south of theSahara, is lack of validated data, which in turnare determined by the absence of R+D institu-tions to conduct this research [2]. These factsare recognised in the WSSD Plan of Implemen-tation, which advocates the promotion of technology development, transfer and diffusionto Africa, and the further development of technology and knowledge available to African centres of excellence [3].

Developing World: Different Contexts, Different NeedsWhile all developing countries share commonfeatures or indicators vis-à-vis developed coun-tries, it is important to mention that they aredefinitely not a homogenous entity (Fig.2). Thisdistinction is very significant, particularly as faras the energy landscape is concerned. The energy

needs of developing countries are influenced by their varying degrees of “development”, or simply the prevalence of widespread poverty.For instance, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is consid-ered the least developed region in the world, wellbelow the levels of other developing countries.The IMF projections show economic growth inall developing countries as averaging 6% peryear (2003 – 05) compared with 4% per year inSSA. Therefore if this region has to halve povertylevels by 2015, the GDP growth must morethan double from current levels of 3% to 7%per year [4].

In energy terms, this means that the poorer theregion, the more different and precarious itsenergy needs will be, and the more complexthe solutions should be. A significant number of the two billion people worldwide who do nothave access to modern energy services live in SSA.

Hence, the SSA economic priorities are stronglyinformed by the need to alleviate poverty. Withmore than 500 million people currently with-out access to electricity and with more than600 million people dependent on traditionalbiomass for survival, SSA has a dire need for safe,affordable and clean forms of energy to enableproductive economic activities to generate muchneeded income [5]. Tab.1 underlines the Africanreliance on traditional fuels, as compared to themore affluent countries in Europe [6].

On the other hand, countries of the SSA needto develop. Owing to its developmental status,exacerbated by emigration of skilled people,Africa lacks the human capacity and technicalstrength to achieve the necessary progress with-in a ten to fifteen year time frame as required 81

Figure 2Heterogeneity natureof developing countries

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in the NEPAD position. It is almost certain thatAfrica would neither be able or allowed to fol-low the developmental pathways that broughtother countries to their current position in theworld. New and innovative systems-dynamicapproaches are needed [6].

Therefore, the ideas and analysis presented inthis paper apply to varying degrees to differentregions and countries that are, by definition,considered to be “developing”. However, mostof the arguments presented concern the under-developed regions within the developing world.The bias is intentional because these are theregions that most need innovative renewableenergy solutions, and these are regions that haveacute energy needs. The term ‘developing’ isused in this sense throughout the paper.

Renewable Energy Trends inDeveloping Countries

The Social and Economic Dimensions ofRenewablesEnergy is an essential consideration in develop-ment, and choices taken in the near future willhave far-reaching consequences on development,impacts on global change and the sustainableuse of ecosystems and non-renewable resources.

The need for access to energy is pervasive. Fig.3 indicates how every facet of an economyrequires access to energy services in one formor another for sustainable development [6].

It stands to reason that the most important aspectof the energy debate is the type and quality ofservice that energy provides to the users. Deci-sions as to what is the best energy source forspecific needs, are determined by how an energyservice comes about. With respect to developingcontexts, the decision to use certain types ofenergy sources will be influenced by considera-tions such as accessibility of the fuel resource;efficacy to perform specific tasks; and the speedand reliability of service. More importantly,however, such decisions will be based on costsand affordability vis-à-vis available options.Therefore, for renewables to gain social accep-tance, they need to fulfil specific criteria. Theneeds of developing communities are simple:they need clean water; warm houses; cookedfood; to engage in agriculture and other incomegenerating activities; easy access to health andschool facilities; and so on. The energy infra-structure provided should assist in meetingthese broad social and economic needs. Sadly,in many instances, renewable energy optionshave been introduced with scant regard to thecommunity needs they seek to address. Forexample, solar PV projects have been imple-82

Table 1Energy indicators for1999 for a selection ofafrican & europeancountries, 1990 US$(Source: InternationalEnergy Agency, Paris)

Country Population GDP (US$B) TPES/ TPES/ Electr (KWh/ Electr Cons(M) Capita (000$) Capita (KWh/US$)

Morocco 28.2 38.4 0.35 0.26 538 0.40Senegal 9.3 5.5 0.32 0.54 122 0.21Algeria 30.0 47.0 0-94 0.60 960 0.81Egypt 62.7 74.6 0.71 0.60 960 0.81Ethiopia 62.8 7.1 0.29 2.59 24 0.21Nigeria 123.9 31.0 0.70 2.82 89 0.36Kenya 29.4 9.9 0.50 1.48 127 0.38Angola 12.4 6.4 0.61 1.18 92 0.18Zambia 9.9 3.8 0.63 1.61 568 1.46Zimbabwe 11.9 8.4 0.85 1.22 940 1.34Mozambique 17.3 3.4 0.40 2.04 48 0.24South Africa 42.1 164.4 2.60 0.67 4479 1.15

NOTE: No recent info available for Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland

United Kingdom 59.5 1256.0 3.87 0.18 5901 0.28Germany 82.1 2603.0 4.11 0.13 6480 0.20France 60.3 1698.0 4.23 0.15 7142 0.25Sweden 8.9 267.3 5.77 0.19 15450 0.51

TPES: Total Primary energy Supplytoe: tonnes of oil equivalent


mented in areas where the priorities of targetedcommunities were clearly thermal (cooking andheating).

Technology OptionsLinked to the socio-economic dimensions ofenergy options is the question of the energytechnology choice. While the potential for anarray of renewable energy sources is prevalentin developing countries, the technology choicesselected are, unfortunately, seldom informed by local conditions. For instance, issues such ascommunity preferences, energy-use behaviour(e.g. cooking inside or outside; time of cooking,etc) and multiple-fuel use are often overlookedwhen technologies are introduced, particularlyrenewable energy technologies. In selectingtechnology options, care should be taken toconsider aspects such as community fit, andcultural traits. In some communities, for instance,the use of human excreta to generate biogasgoes firmly against the local culture and com-munity etiquette.

It is also important that whatever viable tech-nologies are selected, they should serve broaddevelopment needs – more importantly theyshould provide income-generating opportunities.For example, the majority of RET componentsare wholly imported to developing countries.This has ramifications as far as social acceptance

is concerned. Where local production is non-existent, communities benefit little apart fromselling the technologies. Local production of at least some components of RETs is crucial notonly in providing much-needed job opportunities,but in ensuring a sustainable local productionindustry. Technology transfer should not bedefined as indiscriminate distribution of renew-ables, but as skills and knowledge transfer, par-ticularly in the manufacturing and maintenanceof technology components. Most developingcountries are considered as the market for ready-made, off-the-shelf RETs. Surely, this attitudeneeds to change.

Policies on Renewables It is unfortunate that RE policy instruments arenon-existent in many developing countries. Thisgoes against the global pattern which prioritisesrenewables in countries’ energy policies. Howmany countries in Africa, for example, haverenewable energy policies? Where policies exist,how many countries have RE implementationstrategies? The absence of such policy frame-works impedes the introduction of RETs as projects to accelerate renewables are often adhoc and do not follow a strategic direction. Thisis a recipe for failure. To be fair to developingcountries, national priorities often dictate thatthe focus should be on pressing and immediateneeds, such as combating deadly diseases, 83

Figure 3Energy in the economy[6]

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alleviating malnutrition, providing clean water,etc. Focusing on RE which is perceived (thoughmay not be necessarily so) as small-scale, ruraland therefore less important than large-scalecapital projects. Also, it appears that the policyvacuum is also caused by a dearth of informationthat would facilitate the introduction of renew-ables, such as baseline studies on energy needs.The challenge this poses to RE practitioners ishow to explicitly link renewable energy produc-tion, distribution and consumption patterns tonational priorities.

At regional level, policies or approaches to disseminate RE are seldom harmonised. Regionalinstitutions such as power pools and develop-ment communities exist and can be used asplatforms to harmonise RE policies, as well asassisting member countries to formulate appro-priate policies. All things being equal, the cornerstone to relevant and informed policies isthe availability of research centres at nationaland regional level to provide updated baselineinformation as well as to develop new technolo-gy options. The developing world has fewercentres of excellence to support policy decisions,particularly on renewables. Some of the existingcentres lack capacity as the best personnel emigrate to developed regions of the world dueto lack of adequate resources (mainly lack offunding and institutional support) to implementappropriate R+D programmes.

A Paradigm Shift to TechnologyDevelopment: Renewables and Sustainable DevelopmentWhose Development, Whose Problem?Thinking with the People and not for thePeople The above discussion suggests that perhaps oneof the impediments to uptake of renewables is the manner in which solutions are conceptu-alised and implemented. In many instances, theenergy problems of developing countries areassumed, and there is no proper research doneon how such problems are viewed by the peopleconcerned. Even when such problems are properly researched, solutions are often plannedfar away from the target communities. Surely, if the poor can articulate their problems andneeds, solutions should also be discussed withthem as well. In many instances, it may notmatter so much what type of energy technologyis provided, but the service that such technologyprovides is of crucial importance.

Thus, there is a need for a paradigm shift todevelopment, not only in theory, but also inpractice. People in developing countries shouldnot be passive actors in their own development.Granted, they may not be aware of technolo-gical innovations, but this does not justify theirexclusion in problem-solving strategies. Theoverriding reason for introducing RETs in devel-oping countries should not only be driven bythe need to open up new markets or to servethe concerns of the affluent about environmentalissues, but by the expressed desire to comple-ment strategies aimed at reducing poverty. Forinstance, the primary development problem of the developing world is poverty, not access84

Figure 4 (left)Village with renewableenergy access

Figure 5 (right)Collection of fuelwoodis time-consuming anddetains people fromincome generatingproductive activities


to energy. The latter is the symptom of the former. RE dissemination strategies should beinformed by this fact, and should be directed at poverty alleviation.

Appropriate Technology OptionsThe paradigm shift mentioned above suggeststhat education is essential before solutions canbe devised. This education must be two-pronged:firstly about assuring that the developed coun-tries understand the real needs of the develop-ing countries and, secondly, the developingcountries learning about new technologies toaddress energy needs. The infusion of this two-pronged education should form the basis foreffective partnership in halving the levels ofworld poverty by 2015, as espoused by the Millennium Development Goals. Indicated aboveis that some wonderful technologies introducedin developing situations become spectacularflops. This may not be caused by an inferior typeof technology. The failure is often due to thefact that such technology does not serve thecommunity’s expressed needs, or that the community does not understand the technology.Appropriate technology options are arrived atby understanding the developing world’s priori-ties and the provision of technology options tomatch such priorities. It is therefore importantnot only to think of the technology, but also thedownstream issues related to the use and main-tenance of the technology.

Overcoming Research andDevelopment Barriers: The Challenge for DevelopingCountries

The above discussion highlights that as far asdeveloping countries are concerned, addressingenergy needs is not simply the provision of tech-nologies to meet the needs of society. Energypoverty is simply an indicator of general devel-opment challenges, which are defined by levelsor degrees of impoverishment. Besides theobvious reason that most RETs that are intro-duced in poor rural areas are unaffordable tomany people, these technologies are not usedon a large scale even if they are heavily sub-sidised, or provided free of charge throughgrant funding. Does this mean that RE is ‘themost expensive energy option for poor people’as it is viewed in some circles? This question can be answered by posing another question.Why, even when RETs are given for free, dothey not gain widespread acceptance by peoplewho use inferior fuels? In answering these questions, the R+D capacity in developingcountries needs highest consideration. Withoutadequate capacity, such countries will not havethe ability to develop home-grown policy frame-works, innovative technologies and processes of implementation. All things being equal, the development needs of RE can be achievedthrough three interlinked actions: (a) appropriate technology; (b) appropriate business models; and (c) local production of RETs. Once all these are achieved RE options would,for all intents and purposes, gain local accep-tance. A brief discussion of each action plan ispresented below.

R+D Focus 1: Appropriate Renewable Energy OptionsAt the end of the day, solutions (i. e. technologychoices) have to reflect the needs and prefer-ences of the target community. What is thecommunity preference: do they prioritise thermalneeds over lighting or vice versa? Examplesabound of solar PV for lighting projects where a community’s expressed need is for thermalenergy services, for cooking and heating.

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Figure 6Solarhome system as example for adecentralised distributed electricitygeneration


Secondly, technology solutions mean little if theyare not explicitly linked to other developmentneeds. Does the introduction of a technologyimprove people’s lives in terms of facilitatingother important services such as the availabilityof vaccines, clean water, better transport, user-friendly appliances (that meet local preference),warm houses, etc? To what extent are techno-logy sources or renewable energy choice in harmony with regional, country or governmentdevelopment priorities?

Thirdly, communities need to be exposed to anarray of technology options available, so thatthey could make informed decisions as to thebest option to meet their needs. Such exposureenables the users to select options that meet avariety of needs. Introducing only a technologythat meets a single need may be counterpro-ductive in promoting renewables. For instance,when a solar PV system is introduced for lighting,other solar technologies, such as solar cookers,solar water heaters, passive solar designs, shouldalso be introduced in order to cater for mosthousehold and community energy needs.

Fourthly, education and public awareness arecrucial for renewable technologies to be accept-ed by communities. Public perception on thequality and performance of RETs has long beenidentified as the key barrier to renewables inpoor areas. Such perceptions – that renewables

are energy supplies of second choice – areinformed by past experience with low quality,fly-by-night technologies which flooded themarket in the early days of renewable energypenetration. News travels fast in developingareas, particularly in Africa. Many people whohave negative perceptions of the performanceof renewables may not necessarily have experi-enced renewables first hand. These perceptionscan only be addressed by a targeted publicawareness and education processes that areaimed at both the users and producers of RETs.

Fifthly and related to the above, there is a wide-spread perception that renewables are secondgrade sources of energy. Such perception canbe illustrated as thus:

Renewables = solar PVs = energy of 2nd choice = rural applications = poor people

This equation often results from the way inwhich renewables are promoted in developingcountries. Renewables projects often promote a single technology (which is often solar PV orsolar cookers) and promoted by people whothemselves have never used this technologychoice in their households. Again, the tendencyis to concentrate on rural applications whengrid electricity is not financially viable. Urbancentres, where substantial economic activitiesare situated are often served with conventionalenergy sources. Sadly, this leads to the conclu-sion that renewables and its technologies arereserved only for the poor. As a starting point, it is important to ground the use of renewablesfirmly in developing countries. The best way to start is to focus more on urban centres whereeconomic activities are centred and on urbanhouseholds most of which could afford to payfor the new technology options. This requires(including capacity building as illustrated above)an innovative marketing strategy.

Lastly, it must be recalled that current renew-able technologies may not address all the ener-gy needs of developing countries. Therefore, RE should be promoted as one of the energyoptions that can perform certain tasks well. RE options can work better if introduced in a basket with other energy options, such as gas,i. e. energisation. 86

Figure 7example for the utilisation of wind energy


R+D Focus 2: Effective Business Models to PromoteRenewablesWhen renewables are viewed as energy optionsfor the rural poor, the tendency is to providethese at little cost to the users. This ‘develop-mentalist’ approach was preferred especially by multilateral organisations and by other inter-national institutions. The rural ‘markets’ wereflooded with technology, wholly imported fromthe north, with little consideration to their long-term sustainability. The track record of donorprogrammes is poor in creating and sustainingrural enterprises for RE delivery, and has, in fact,contributed to the negative perceptions out-lined above. There is a realisation now thatdonations (of renewables) without cost recoveryactually destroy the market. Still, some donorscontinue to provide capital cost subsidies inorder to boost the renewable energy market.There is a growing consensus that commercial-ising renewables could work positively for thedissemination of these energy sources in a sus-tainable manner. However, proper research and development on effective business modelsis in its infancy. Various models are being pilotedacross the developing world, ranging from vendor-supplied credit, micro credit, equipmentrentals, etc. The bottom line is that new businessmodels are needed with the focus on entrepre-neurship and innovative finance schemes. However, the danger here could be that purelymarket-driven approaches may leave the verypoor behind.

With respect to developing countries, there is aneed for an R+D process that has the followingcomponents: (a) as a clearing house of innovative business plans; (b) international best practices and amplificationof success stories; (c) innovative finance which does not only provide start-up finance, but also provides forbusiness development training; and (d) as a source of skills to select technologies.

It should also be remembered that businessmodels become effective if there is a market anda demand for the services provided. Unfortu-nately, this aspect resides outside the realm ofrenewables, to the broader development of the

society as a whole. The market is defined hereas the demand for the services and the ability of consumers to pay for them. This is differentto the need for energy services. One of thedownsides of renewable energy disseminationstrategies is the virtual absence of viable markets.Therefore, RE strategies, including new businessmodels can only succeed in so far as the com-munity is developed enough to demand andafford such services. This calls for the integrationof RE to other development needs, such asemployment creation, increased householdincome, education, etc. It is often said that sustainable solutions to energy problems relymostly on non energy interventions.

R+D Focus 3: Local Manufacture of RETs Components Most RETs currently in the developing marketsare fully imported. Even in fairly advancedcountries in the developing world, more than50 % of renewable energy components areimported from the north. This asymmetricalsituation needs to be changed if the renewablesindustry is to be sustainable in developingcountries. There should be a long-term strategyin place for knowledge transfer. Granted, sometechnologies cannot be fully manufactured in developing countries and may need to beimported. However, if the rationale is to increasethe share of renewables in the national energyeconomies, significant investments have to bemade in local production of RE components.This area requires immediate intervention as itcould have positive spin-offs: increased tech-nical capacity and innovation in science andtechnology in developing countries, more jobscreated due to the labour-intensive nature of renewable energy production, etc. Local production of RETs may be a long-term sourceof revenue for municipalities, and can, as well,be integrated in other municipal issues such as landfills, sewage treatment and waster dis-posals). [1]

Concluding Remarks

The R+D needs in developing country on renew-ables clearly go beyond technology solutions toencompass social and economic considerations, 87


i.e. the so-called “downstream” issues of tech-nology. The above discussion highlights thesebroad development issues associated with tech-nology options. Having identified these issuesand needs, what is then the way forward as faras renewable energies are concerned in thedeveloping world context? Before proposingsome recommendations, it should be empha-sised that energy poverty in developing coun-tries cannot be addressed using purely marketapproaches, nor can they be resolved by astrictly developmentalist approach. The solu-tions lie somewhere in the middle. Below arevalue propositions on the way forward.

Regional Cooperation in Research and Development Energy development knows no boundaries. Infact new strategies work better when they areimplemented across a region, rather than onlyin a country-specific context. Global partner-ships are a testimony to this development. Part-nership is not simply about brotherhood, but a conscious strategy to mobilise scant resourcesand share experience across more than onecountry. Research and development of a tech-nology, process of implementation or financingstrategy stand more chances of success if thefocus is cast wider than a single country. Thereis cooperation at the regional levels in manydeveloping countries. The mandate of regionalcooperation should be expanded to includeresearch and development.

Database of Renewable Energy TechnologiesIt is very difficult to formulate effective policiesbased on insufficient and often invalid data sets.Many experts agree that lack of information onenergy demand and consumption makes it nearimpossible to devise effective implementationand planning strategies. It is not even knownhow many renewable energy technologies arecurrently in use in developing countries. Inaddressing the question of data gaps, nationaland regional databases need to be created andperiodically updated. R+D centres of excellence,such as the Global Research Alliance partnerscan be utilised to maintain these databases.

Innovation in Rolling Out RenewablesThere is a glimmer of hope as far as innovativestrategies to disseminate renewables across the

developing world. In Africa, the UNEP fundedprogramme, AREED (African Rural Energy andEnterprise Development) in partnership withE+Co is implementing an entrepreneurialapproach in energy service provision. This pro-gramme is still very small-scale and also promotesother cleaner fuels such as bottled gas. In SouthAfrica, a concession model, public-private part-nership provides a fee-for-service mechanism toprovide poor households with a basket of energyoptions including renewables. This model is,however, heavily subsidised by the nationalgovernment. Across the continent and in SouthAsia, various ESCOs models are being piloted.These attempts provide a shift from a conven-tional developmentalist approach to more sus-tainable, profit-driven implementation strategies.Be that as it may, the impacts of these newmodels remain largely untested, and experienceshave not been properly documented. In addition,recent experience shows that these innovativestrategies do not reach the poorest sectors ofthe developing world.

Harmonisation for Energy PoliciesLinked to the above points, an enabling en-vironment has to be created for renewables. All developing countries have to have policyinstruments to regulate renewables imports,production, dissemination and use. Moreover,as stated above, technology knows no bound-aries. Therefore, policies should be harmonisedso that a sustainable market for RE would becreated. Prevailing policy instruments can be used and/or adopted to perform this task.Regional cooperative trade agreementsbetween countries can be utilised to assist inthe harmonisation of the renewable energypolicies and assist countries that are withoutpolicy frameworks.

The discussion in this paper points to the factthat the developing world is willing and readyto take a centre stage in accelerating the use ofrenewables. It also argues that the best way to go about this is a formation of an effective partnership between North and South, as wellas South and South. The former ensures skillsand knowledge transfer and the latter ensuresthat best lessons are learned. The time is now!

88


Literature

[1] Norbert Wohlgemuth 2003. Innovative financing mechanisms for renewable energy in developing countries. UNEP Collaborating Centre, Denmark

[2] Patrick Manders 2004. Energy technologies for Africa sustainable development. Position Paper, CSIR.

[3] Patrick Manders 2003. Energy for sustainable development in Africa: a concept note. CSIR, Pretoria.

[4] Financial Mail 2004 (April 30).

[5] Stefan Szewczuk 2004. Hybrid mini-grid energy systems: its contribution to sustain-able energy and economic development in South Africa. Paper to be presented to the World Energy Council, Sydney September 2004.

[6] Gert Venter and Patrick Manders 2004. Effective energy supply and use in develop-ment context. Industrial and Commercial Use of Energy Conference, Cape Town May 2004

Pictures are courtesy of CSIR, AfricaNet, RISOEUNEP and Renewable Energy World.

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Science Forum 2004Stephen Karekezi /Waeni Kithyoma • Sustainable Energy and Poverty Alleviation – AFREPREN’s Contribution

About AFREPREN

African Energy Policy Research Network &Foundation for Woodstoves (AFREPREN/FWD) is an African initiative on energy, environmentand sustainable development. AFREPREN/FWDbrings together 97 African energy researchersand policy makers who have a long-term interest in energy research and the attendantpolicy-making process. AFREPREN/FWD has initiated policy research studies in 19 Africancountries, namely: Angola, Botswana, Burundi,Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Rwanda, Seychelles,Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

AFREPREN/FWD’s ultimate goal is to promotethe greater use of cleaner energy options suchas renewables for poverty alleviation in Africa.The near-term objective of AFREPREN/FWD isto strengthen local research capacity and toharness it in the service of energy policy makingand planning. Initiated in 1987, AFREPREN is a collective regional response to the widespreadconcern over the weak link between energyresearch and the formulation and implementationof energy policy in Africa.

Since its initiation, AFREPREN has successfullyimplemented over 90 research projects involving234 African researchers and policy makers in 19 countries of Eastern and Southern Africa andforged collaborative links with West, Centraland North African energy researchers and policymakers. Findings of the research undertaken by AFREPREN have been published in 13 majorpublications, one Energy Policy special issuejournal, 24 Occasional Papers, 37 journal articles,23 book chapters and over 300 Working Papers.Since 1987, AFREPREN has had an ongoingmajor research programme on renewables.

The current phase due to end in 2004 also hasa major programme on renewables. Entitled“Renewables and Energy for Rural Development” the programme is examiningoptions for the provision of modern energy services to low-income rural areas of Africa withspecial emphasis on the commercial /services/productive uses of energy.

Other ongoing major programmes ofAFREPREN include:• Energy Services for the Urban Poor• Energy Sector Reform• Special Studies of Strategic Significance for

the Energy Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA)

Additional information on these programmes isavailable on the AFREPREN website(www.afrepren.org).

AFREPREN’s Renewable Energy Research Programmes

As mentioned earlier, AFREPREN has undertakenextensive research work on renewables in all theresearch phases running from 1987. The pastresearch phases examined the fundamentals of renewable energy technologies, and the status of their dissemination in selected Africancountries.

In the ongoing research phase of 1999 –2004,one of the core research theme groups wastitled “Renewables and Energy for Rural Development”. The theme-group objective is to identify options for the provision of renewableand sustainable energy services to low-incomerural areas of Africa with special emphasis oncommercial/ service/ productive use of energy. 91

Capacity Building for SustainableEnergy Development and PovertyAlleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa – the Contribution of AFREPREN

Stephen Karekezi

GNESD/AFREPREN/FWD

Director (Kenya)

[email protected]

Waeni Kithyoma

GNESD/AFREPREN/FWD

Secretariat (Kenya)

[email protected]


Objectives of the Theme group• Analysing the impact of current renewables

and rural energy policies.• Assessing current rural household and

community energy practices and technologies. • Reviewing rural income generating activities

and energy technologies used.• Establishing what is hindering the removal

of identified barriers in the dissemination of renewable energy technologies (e.g. absenceof rural entrepreneurs, funding mechanisms, capacity building and policy).

• Assessing the gender dimension of renewables and rural energy.

Key Research Issues• Impact of the government and utilities

policies, programmes and institutional framework on the provision of renewables to rural areas.

• Analysis of existing decentralised private sector energy production and distribution activities in rural areas.

• Comparative analysis of renewables and rural energy use in rural areas.

• Analysis of components for promoting the production and deployment of renewables and rural energy by private entrepreneurs.

• Gender sensitivity of government and utilities’ policies and programmes on the provision of renewables and rural energy for domestic use and for income generating activities.

• Gender analysis of energy practices in rural households and energy use in rural income generating activities.

• Impact of the gender derived and gender driven power relations at the household and community levels in the use of modern energy.

Based on the above research work, AFREPRENhas over the years published a wide range ofjournal articles, research reports, workingpapers, occasional papers and major publicationson renewables. These publications are distributedwidely to energy sector stakeholders in Africa,as well as other parts of the world. The objectiveof these publications is to inform decision makers in policy making. Some of the key publications on renewables published byAFREPREN are provided in Annex 1.

AFREPREN’s Energy Training and Capacity BuildingProgrammeThe number of African energy policy analystshas grown in the last few years as a result oftraining programs and capacity building initia-tives of various training institutes, developmentprograms and networks such as the AfricanEnergy Policy Research Network (AFREPREN).The supply of skilled energy policy analysts is,however, still insufficient. This is partially due to the difficulties faced by formal education institutions in Africa. African policy analysts haveidentified important constraints facing formalenergy education in Africa. Key problemsinclude the following: • A high attrition rate of senior and experienced

staff from institutions of higher learning due to the erosion of teaching and research conditions;

• Inadequate remuneration for the academic and supporting staff;

• Lack of funds for research, conference attendance and institutional attachment;

• Inadequacy in the provision of external examiners and opportunities within these institutions for staff exchanges; and

• Scarcity of funds for the purchase of textbooks, journals and equipment.

AFREPREN’s training and capacity building program is designed to assist capacity buildingin the region and to address the above short-falls by building on the substantial expertiseand information that AFREPREN has developedover the last 10 years. AFREPREN has built substantial expertise in energy policy analysis aswell as published a large body of literature onAfrican energy issues. It has published 11 majorbooks and over 200 Working Papers on theAfrican energy sector as well as a diskette setand CD-ROM on African energy issues.AFREPREN has also established a substantiallibrary of over 20,000 documents, books andjournal articles covering various energy issues. It also has access to a wide range of diskettes,CD-ROMs, audiotapes and videos on energyissues. With links to over 100 African energyexperts and numerous international energyagencies and experts, AFREPREN is well placedto assist in training and strengthening up 92

Science Forum 2004Stephen Karekezi /Waeni Kithyoma • Sustainable Energy and Poverty Alleviation – AFREPREN’s Contribu-

coming African energy professionals in energypolicy analysis skills.

AFREPREN runs the following key training andcapacity building programmes:

Masters Program:• Support for MSc or MA research studies on

energy policy• Support for MSc or MA in energy policy

subjects

In future, AFREPREN plans to launch a jointAFREPREN/Universities MSc/MA training programme in Africa.

To date, a total of 15 scholarships have been offered to candidates from Eastern and Southern Africa.

Regional Short Term Training Courses:• Short-Courses for energy policy makers• Research Techniques and Methodology

Workshops• IT Workshops

A total of six courses have been undertaken inthe 1999 –2004 research phase, and about 80 African energy researchers and stakeholdershave participate in these courses.

Regional/National Policy Seminars: Regional and national events organised by theAFREPREN Secretariat and the national focalpoints in AFREPREN member countries. The mainobjective is to disseminate research findings to national policy makers and researchers. In the1999–2004 research phase, over 25 nationaland regional policy seminars have been organisedin AFREPREN member countries.

The training and capacity building programmesmentioned above cover a wide range of energysubjects including renewable energy. The nextsection describes AFREPREN’s renewable energyprogrammes and contribution to the internationalconference on renewables held in Bonn, June1– 4, 2004.

Contribution to the International Conference onRenewable Energies

AFREPREN, with support from Sida/SAREC andthe Heinrich Böll Foundation, organised a sideevent titled: ‘What are the Benefits of Renewablesin Africa?’ This side event, the only one with adedicated focus on Africa, was organised topresent the findings of the study on Renewablesin East and Horn of Africa, which is coordinatedby AFREPREN with funding from the HeinrichBöll Foundation office for East and Horn ofAfrica. Approximately 50 –80 people attendedthe side event, drawn from different geographicalregions and institutional affiliations. The bulk ofparticipants, were, however, Africans.

The study was launched by AFREPREN and HBF(Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa) andits main objectives were:• To examine the viability of 10% renewables

target proposed at the Johannesburg WSSD Summit in selected African Countries

• To assess the benefits and drawbacks of the 10% renewables target in Eastern Africa

The study was undertaken in four countries:Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia (Fig.1). In parallel to the country studies, a regional studywas also prepared. The study also includednational level consultations in the four countries, 93

Figure 1East and Horn ofAfrica: Ethiopia,Kenya, Uganda andTanzania


as well as regional consensus building andbrainstorming on the regions’ priorities forrenewables.

One of the key outcomes of the study was thedissemination of information on renewables topolicy makers in the four East and Horn ofAfrican countries participating in the study. Inaddition, renewable energy technologies thathave a direct impact on poverty alleviation werealso highlighted, and are beginning to receiveattention from policy makers in the region.

Contribution to the International Action Plan– Renewables 2004 ConferenceAFREPREN in conjunction with the Heinrich BöllFoundation, Regional Office for East and Hornof Africa, submitted a commitment, which wasincluded in the International Action Plan. TheInternational Action Plan was one of the majoroutcomes of the Renewables 2004 conference,and is a compilation of voluntary actions fromgovernments, international bodies, NGOs,national and regional institutions.

The Action plan submitted by AFREPREN andHBF has a strong focus on the dissemination ofsmall and medium scale renewables, which canalleviate poverty. The objective of the action is to develop a prioritized listing of small andmedium scale renewables and cleaner energyoptions suitable for poverty alleviation in Africathat can be implemented in the region.

A growing number of experts within the AFREPRENNetwork believe that these technologies wouldhave the greatest impact on alleviating povertyand enhancing economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. AFREPREN will continue topromote these technologies, and undertakeresearch studies and assessments, which can beused to lobby policy makers and other stake-holders.

Other ContributionsAFREPREN participated in the conference plenarysessions, namely: (i) Multi-stakeholder Dialogue (ii) preparation of a summary for one of theconference ministerial sessions (iii) participation in the Science Forum.

Annex1: AFREPREN’s RenewableEnergy Title Series

Renewables and Energy for Rural Development in sub-Saharan Africa Edited by Maxwell Mapako and Abel Mbewe(2004)

Energy supply is a key factor in economic andsocial development, but too little attention hasbeen given to the needs of rural households,farmers and small businesses. Rural householdsin sub-Saharan Africa still derive most of theirenergy from biomass sources. Lack of modernenergy supplies in rural areas constrains effortsto alleviate poverty and improve living standards.Renewables and Energy for Rural Developmentin sub-Saharan Africa addresses this situation.

The original research contained in this volumeidentifies the options for the provision of modern and improved energy services based onrenewables to low-income rural areas, with special emphasis on the productive uses ofenergy. In the five countries represented –Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – the volume focuses on whether adecentralized approach to energy delivery isbetter than more centralized provision, the roleof income-generating activities in attractingmodern energy services to rural areas, and thebarriers as well as opportunities that exist in the promotion of renewable energy technologiesin the rural areas of sub-saharan Africa. This latest volume is a further contribution toaddressing the practical energy needs of sub-Saharan Africa.

Renewable Energy Technologies in Africa Stephen Karekezi and Timothy Ranja (1997)

The energy sector is widely acclaimed as theheart and lungs of any programme for economicdevelopment. At the same time, energy athousehold level and in the rural areas is essentialfor everyday life. Renewable energy technologiescan play a major role in both respects. Thisbook sums up across the whole of Eastern(including the Horn) and Southern Africa(including South Africa itself) what is now

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AFREPREN’s RenewableEnergy Title Series:


known about the innovation and deploymentof renewable energy technologies in the region.

Successive chapters deal with bio-energy, solarand wind energy and small hydro technologies.The authors examine the African energy sector‘soverall geo-political and socio-economic settingas well as specific non-technological factors thatimpinge on renewable energy development,namely: financing, institutional structures forenergy management, human resource develop-ment, equity and access, and environmentalconsiderations. The book, which concludes witha special section on policy recommendation,provides an essential text for training a newgeneration of African energy specialists.

Energy Options for Africa: EnvironmentallySustainable Alternatives. Edited by S. Karekezi and Gordon Mackenzie.(1993).

As African economies seek to recover from whatis commonly now described as the ‘lost’ decadeof the 1980s, energy policy has become a crucial component in the region’s industrial,transport and environment strategies, and inmeeting household fuel needs.This volume is a guide to policy makers anddevelopment agencies for determining environ-mentally sound energy options and priorities for the region. The contributors – leading energyand environment specialists from Botswana,Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, SierraLeone, Sudan and Uganda – identify the keyrequisites for such development: innovative policy instruments and institutions, and incor-poration of environmental costing; mobilizationof both local and external financial resources;management training and technology acquisition; energy efficiency; increased supplyof environmentally benign modern fuels andenergy technologies.

Energy for Rural Development. Edited and Introduced by M.R. Bhagavan andS. Karekezi. (1992).

This book contains essays presented at a UnitedNations Meeting of Experts on the Role of New

and Rural Development. With an introductoryessay by the Swedish-based energy policy analyst Dr. M.R. Bhagavan and the Kenya BasedFacilitator of the African Energy Policy ResearchNetwork (AFREPREN) Stephen Karekezi, the volume comprises national and regional studiesexamining the technological, economic, political,social issues concerned with energy for ruraldevelopment, raising questions on productivity,income, institutions, local participation, information and assessment of resources andtechnologies. The studies relate to the rural situations in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa,North Africa and the Middle East, South andEast Asia, Central America and the CaribbeanEastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Eachstudy is written either by local energy specialistsand academics or by experts associated withthe United Nations and its Agencies.

Annex 2: AFREPREN Journal’sArticles on Renewables, Rural Energy And Poverty

[1] “Domestic Use Versus Income Generating Activities in Delivering Modern Energy to Rural Botswana.” Joseph Mbaiwa and Oganne D. Gontse in Journal of Energy, Published by JESA. February 2004.

[2] “Electricity from Bagasse in Zimbabwe”. Charles Mbohwa and Shuichi Fukuda. In Biomass and Bioenergy Journal, Vol. 25, No. 2 Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, December 2002.

[3] “Bagasse Energy Cogeneration Potential in the Zimbabwean Sugar Industry”. Charles Mbohwa. In Renewable Energy, Vol. 28 Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[4] “Bagasse Energy Cogeneration in Zimbabwe: The Technology, Possible Improvementsand Setting the Right Environment.” Charles Mbohwa and Shuichi Fukuda. In The Proceedings of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers. Published by the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers, 2002. 95

Energy Options for Africa

Energy for Rural Development


[5] “Gender Compliance with Technological Innovation for the Improved Charcoal Stovein Uganda”. Joan Kyokutamba. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[7] “An Assessment of Policies and Programmes Designed for the Production and Distribution of Modern Renewable Energy to Rural Areas in Botswana”. Joseph E. Mbaiwa. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[8] “Energy, Gender and Poverty Issues and their Linkages with Energy Policy and Planning”.Abel Mbewe. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[9] “Rural Energy Access: Promoting Solar Home Systems in Rural Areas in Zambia – A Case Study”. Oscar Kalumiana. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[9] “The Potentials of Wind Energy Applications in Eritrea”. Semere Habtetsion. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[10] “The Case for De-Emphasizing PV in Renewable Energy Strategies for Rural Africa”. Stephen Karekezi. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[11] “Renewable Energy Options for a Developing Country: The Case of Ethiopia”. W. Wolde-Ghiorgis. In Renewable Energy, Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[12] “Poverty and Energy in Africa – A BriefReview”. Stephen Karekezi. In Energy Policy,Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[13]“Renewables in Africa – Meeting the Energy Needs of the Poor”. Stephen Karekezi. In Energy Policy, Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[14] “Renewable Energy Strategies for Rural Africa: Is a PV-Led Renewable Energy Strategythe Right Approach for Providing ModernEnergy to the Rural Poor of Sub-SaharanAfrica?” Stephen Karekezi and Waeni Kithyoma. In Energy Policy, Volume 30,Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[15]“Disseminating Windpumps in Rural Kenya – Meeting Rural Water Needs using Locally Manufactured Windpumps”. Mike Harries.In Energy Policy, Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[16] “Renewable Energy for Rural Development in Ethiopia: The Case for New Energy Policies and Institutional Reform”. W. Wolde-Ghiorgis. In Energy Policy, Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[17] “The Energy Sector in Eritrea – Institutional and Polity Options for Improving Rural Energy Services”. Semere Habtetsion and Zemenfes Tsighe. In Energy Policy, Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[18]“The Impact of Large Renewable Energy Development on the Poor: Environmentaland Socio-Economic Impact of a GeothermalPower Plant on a Poor Rural Community in Kenya”. Nicholas Mariita. In Energy Policy,Volume 30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

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[19] “Promoting Equity in Large-Scale Renewable Energy Development: The Case of Mauritius”. Kassiap Deepchand. In Energy Policy, Volume30, Nos. 11-12. Published by Elsevier ScienceLimited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2002.

[20]“Commercial Scale Cogeneration of Bagasse Energy in Mauritius”. Kassiap Deepchand. InEnergy for Sustainable Development, Vol. V, No. 1. Published by International EnergyInitiative Inc., Bangalore, India, March 2001.

[21]“PV for Rural Areas - The Power Utility (ZESA) Zimbabwe’s Experience”. Ikhupuleng Dube. In Renewable Energy, 2001. Published by Elsevier Science Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2001.

[22]“Disseminating Renewable Energy Technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa”. Stephen Karekezi. In Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, Volume 19, Palo Alto, California, 1994.

[23]“Smoke in the Kitchen”. Stephen Karekezi and Patience Turyareeba. In Boiling Point No. 34, September 1994.

[24]“The KCJ - From Artisan to Factory”. Stephen Karekezi and Dominic Walubengo.In Boiling Point No.31, August 1993.

Annex 3: AFREPREN’s OccasionalPapers on Renewables:

No. 1 AFREPREN Regional Policy Seminar on Renewables – Focus: CogenerationS. Karekezi, J. Kimani and J. Wangeci (eds)

No. 2 Bagasse-Based Cogeneration in Mauritius – A Model for Eastern and Southern AfricaKassiap Deepchand

No. 3 Energy for Rural Development in Botswana – Proceedings of a National Policy SeminarB. Mogotsi & S. Bok (eds)

No. 4 Energy for Rural Development in Zimbabwe – Proceedings of a National Policy SeminarM. Mapako (ed)

No. 6 Energy for Rural Development in Zambia – Proceedings of a National Policy SeminarL. Chandi, A. Mbewe & C. Mulenga (eds)

No. 9 Energy for Rural Development in Eritrea –Proceedings of a National Policy SeminarS. Habtetsion and Z. Tsighe (eds)

No. 10 Renewable Energy Technologies in Africa– An Energy Training Course HandbookS. Karekezi, W. Kithyoma & L. Majoro (eds)

No. 11 Energy for Rural Development in Ethiopia – Proceedings of a National Policy SeminarM. Teferra (ed)

No. 12 The Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact of Geothermal Energy on the Rural Poor in KenyaN. Mariita

No. 19 Cogeneration in Zimbabwe – A Utility PerspectiveB. Batidzirai

No. 21 Opportunities for Cogeneration in a Reforming African Power SectorKassiap Deepchand (ed)

No. 22 Renewables and Rural Energy Development in Botswana: Proceedings of a National Energy Policy SeminarJ. Mbaiwa (ed)

No. 24 The Potential Contribution of Renewables in Ethiopia’s Energy Sector: An Analysis of Geothermal and Cogeneration TechnologiesProf. W. Wolde-Ghiorgis

Copies of the Occasional Papers and abstractsof the journal articles can be downloaded fromthe AFREPREN Website (www.afrepren.org). 97

For a printed version of any of the publications,please contact the AFREPREN Secretariat at:

AFREPREN/FWD House,Elgeyo Marakwet RoadP.O. Box 30979, 00100 GPONairobi, KenyaPhone: + 254-20-566032, 571467, 573714,560403Fax: +254-20-561464, 566231, 3740524Email : [email protected] : www.afrepren.org


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Science Forum 2004W. E. Alnaser /F. Trieb/G. Knies • Possible Cooperation between Arab and European Countries

AbstractThe Arab countries, in general, lack energy andwater. The average annual rain level in Arabcountries is from 5 to 45 mm while in Europeancountries it ranges from 200 to 400 mm. Thetotal internal water reserve is only 100 km3 forArab countries, while in Europe it may exceed400 km3; bearing in mind that the world inter-nal water reserve is 43764 km3. Nearly morethan 50% of the Arab countries have wateravailability per capita less than the absolutewater scarcity level (200 m3/capita/year) whilethe rest, except Iraq, are in water scarcitythreshold level (1000 m3/capita /year) [1]. In Europe, the per capita water resource is ashigh as 85478m3/year (Norway). In factamong the countries with least water resources[2] we have 13 Arab countries (Kuwait, UAE,Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain,Yemen, Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Moroccoand Palestine) where the per capita waterresource is ranging from 10 m3/year (Kuwait) to 971 m3 year (Egypt).

On the other hand, the electricity consumptionper capita in West Europe per year has neverbeen less than 4000 kWh in 1999 while it is aslow as 46 kWh in Sudan. In the majority of the Arab countries, except Arabian Gulf countries(GCC), each person consumes annually only1200 kWh electricity (on average)! Probablymore than one million of Arab citizens (out of ~300 million) have no access to electricity [2].

Furthermore, the European OECD countries areemitting 3800 Mt of CO2, which is 15.2% ofthe global emissions (25000 Mt). In 2001, theshare of global CO2 emissions from Middle East is only 4.8% – compared to North America(27.7%), East Europe (12.6%), West Europe(15.6%), Africa (8.8%), central and SouthAmerica (4.1%), Far East and Oceania (31.5%).According to latest reports, Germany has managed to reduce emissions of CO2 by – 20%

(compared to the base year), U.K. – 12.5%,Italy – 6.5%, France 0%, Russia – 6%, USA – 7%, Japan – 6% [4]. Moreover, accord-ing to Swiss Re [4], in its report on Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2003,nearly 36 natural accidents have occurred inEurope with 424 victims wasting US$ 2173 mil-lion (11.8% share) while in middle east Asia 178 accidents have occurred with 51894 victimscosting US$ 1447 million (7.8% share).

Therefore, cooperation for a mutual benefitbetween Arab and European countries in thefield of energy production using the abundantsolar radiation is favorable.

Clean and sustainable energy could be exportedto Europe in a form of High Voltage Potential,produced in Arab countries using solar thermalor photovoltaic technology. A part of the produced energy from renewable sources canbe used for water desalination in Arab countries.For 65% of water resources are politically indebate with non Arab countries – which mayignite Water Wars.

The Arab countries are characterized and blessedwith abundant direct solar radiation, i. e., ranging from 4.1 kwh/m2/day, Mosul, Iraq to6.7kwh/m2/day, Nouakchott, Mauritania [5,6].Even more, the maximum recorded annualmean sunshine duration ranges from 7.5 hrs,Tunis, to 10.7 hrs, Egypt. These figures are larger by, at least, 3 times compared to Euro-pean Countries [5].

The temporal behavior of electricity demand in Arab and European countries is found tocomplement each other. Therefore, this visionof cooperation, will enhance the renewableenergy utilization worldwide and it will increaseto be more than the current level, i. e.,13.8%from the total primary energy supply, where2.3% come from hydro, 11.0% from com- 99

Possible Cooperation between Araband European Countries in Energy,Water and Environmental Issues

Waheeb Essa Alnaser

University of Bahrain

[email protected]

Franz Trieb

DLR – German

Aerospace Centre

[email protected]

Gerhard Knies

Climate Protection

Funds Hamburg

(Germany)

[email protected]

Science Forum 2004W. E. Alnaser /F. Trieb/G. Knies • Possible Cooperation between Arab and European Countries

bustible renewable and waste, and only 0.5%are covered by solar (0.039%), wind (0.026%),tide (0.004%), and geothermal (0.440%)sources. The solar power market is alreadygrowing, in year 2000 by 1000 MW, forinstance, and is expected to be 14000 MW by2010 and up to 70000 MW in year 2020 [3].This, of course, will minimize the cost per wattper each renewable energy source, especiallysolar thermal and photovoltaic ones.

References

[1] ESCWA, Review of Sustainable Develop-ment and Productivities, issue no.1, UnitedNation, New York, 2003.

[2] Human Development Report, UNDP,New York, 2002.

[3] The World Almanac, World Almanac Books,New York, 2004.

[4] Global Emission Newsletter, Vol. III, No.4,April 2004.

[5] W. E. Alnaser, et al, First Solar RadiationAtlas for the Arab World, Renewable EnergyVol. 29, 1085-1107, 2004.

[6] ESCWA, Energy Options for Water Desalination in Selected ESCWA memberscountries, United Nation, New York, 2001.

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Science Forum 2004Uwe Rehling/Henning Karcher/Merina Pradhan • Capacity Building in Developing Countries

General“More than half the world’s population lives inrural areas, nearly 90% of them – some 2.8 billion – in the developing countries. Thevast majority of these people is dependent on the traditional fuels of wood, dung and cropresidue, often using primitive and inefficienttechnologies. For many, this combination barelyallows fulfilment of the basic human needs ofnutrition, warmth and light, let alone the possibility of harnessing energy for productiveuses which might begin to permit escape fromthe cycle of poverty” (World Energy Council1999, p.7).

The international postgraduate study “SESAM-Sustainable Energy Systems and Management”at Flensburg University in Germany with nearly20 years of international experience is offering a MSc course for participants from developingcountries to tackle the global challenge of usingrenewable energy systems. The course is partiallycarried out in Germany and partially with part-ners overseas, like United Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) in Nepal, and has producedgraduates in more than 50 countries worldwideand numerous international co-operations inAfrica, Asia and Latin America.

Energy and Development

Although energy is still not considered as abasic human need it is required for meeting allof the basic needs such as food and health, and in this context also agriculture, education,information, and other infrastructure servicesand shows clear correlation with the HumanDevelopment Index HDI.

In order to tackle the core problems of environ-mental degradation, diminishing naturalresources and increasing poverty an important

“tool” in this process is the use of sustainableenergy systems which represent an essentialprecondition for social and economic develop-ment of a country – together with the changingof attitudes, community mobilisation and transfer of knowledge.

“Among the key lessons learned in the provisionof modern energy services in the developingworld (particularly in rural areas) is that the services must give rise to greater productivity if they are to be sustainable. The facilitation of new productive activities is what creates sustainable livelihoods for poor people andmakes the energy projects financially viable.Productive services include a wide range ofactivities such agro-processing, transport provision, battery charging, and small-scalemanufacturing. Very often, particularly in dry areas, power is needed for water pumpingto supporting agriculture. Various options,ranging from manual and animal power to photo-voltaics or wind pumps should be considered against the dual criteria of sustain-ability and affordability” (Khennas 2002, p.10).

Indeed – energy and development are closelyrelated and energy was a prerequisite two

Capacity Building in DevelopingCountries – Bringing RenewableEnergy to the People

Uwe Rehling

SESAM Sustainable Energy

Systems and Management,

University of Flensburg

(Germany)

[email protected]

Henning Karcher

Resident Representative

U.N.D.P. (Nepal)

[email protected]

Merina Pradhan

Rural Energy Development

Programme (REDP),

U.N.D.P., SESAM

[email protected]

Figure1HDI and CommercialEnergy Consumption

HDI and Commercial Energy Consumption(edited: Rehling/2004)

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centuries back for the breakthrough in economyand productivity in the nowadays industrialisedcountries. This interrelation of energy anddevelopment might be the base for the viewthat “Energy has many links with sustainabledevelopment, notably through productivity,income growth, environment, health, education,gender issues, macroeconomic stability, andgovernance” (Interview with Jamal Saghir,World Bank, in: Morales /Johnson 2002, p.3).

But how to make best use of that interdepen-dancy of energy and development? What is therole of human resources? Learning lessons ofvarious countries, organisations and projectscan help to understand the mechanism….

A typical Example: RenewableEnergy for Rural Electrification(SESAM 2002)

The Government in an Asian country commis-sioned a project in a village in 1991 and afterinstallation it was handed over to the local Agriculture Collective to manage and operateit. The unit operated from 6 pm to 10 pm

every day. Six years later in 1997 failures of thesystem were visible which seemed to be technology based: • No frequency control equipment was

installed on the existing system.• Wooden poles were rotten and aluminium

conductors were undersized, resulting in low voltage.

• Quality of the power was so low that the system lost paying customers and income revenue.

• Revenues from the sale of power were used to pay for projects unrelated to the operationand maintenance of the turbine system. Thus no funds were available when maintenance or repairs were required.

• The operators were insufficiently trained to do anything more than start up and shut down the plant.

So the technical part of project was redesignedwith new micro hydro station plus installationof a diesel generator, reconstruction of the electricity distribution system, and establishmentof a battery charging system (Fig.2). The totalbudget for the project was 85,600 USD.

Running the system after re-opening for another3 years the villagers were asked again whetherpositive changes had come from the project (inthe graph dark colour means “no positivechanges”):

The graph (Fig.3) shows that improvement inincome and employment as the main require-ments and expectations were not fulfilled andso again the project came under financial crisis:about 50% of the customers did not pay orcould not pay because the income and employ-ment situation had not increased.

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Figure 3Fulfillmet of require-ments and expectations

= degree of fulfillment

Figure 2Micro hydro station

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Conclusion: latest renewable energy technologywas provided but the planners had no idea ofthe non-technical aspects and the target group(villagers) did not participate in decisions,human resources were not trained or developed,economic situation did not improve: this kindof renewable energy project is not sustainable.In more than 100 similar case studies of SESAMin Africa, Asia and Latin America this kind ofexperience is (unfortunately) quite typical.

Human Resources for Renewable Energies:

To analyse, understand and solve the complexityof problems it is no longer suitable to just havea “tunnel” view which means just narrowingthe view on aspects you like to see and notbeing capable to understand interdependancieswith related aspects. Typical for tunnel viewsare technical solutions for development problemsand under this category also falls “renewableenergy for development”.

Project evaluations and research studies clearlyprove that the failures in implementation ofenergy technologies are mainly found in non-technical reasons and very often related to lack of awareness and lack of capablehuman resources: “In general, economic and information/awareness barriers were the mostimportant obstacles across the countries andRETs (renewable energy technologies, author).This points to the low level of awareness andinformation on RETs among the potential users.Therefore, better ways to raise awareness arerequired… Small size of market, unfavourablepolicies, and subsidy to competing conventionalfuels were other reasons that affected the economics of RETs further.” (Painuly J. P. /Fenhann, J.V., 2002, p.37)

“A further factor that constrains the effectivenessof decentralised planning is the lack of sufficientlyskilled people to carry it out. While collectingdata … it is necessary, in addition, to introducehigher level training of planners.” … “A furtherimportant lack of information is the one felt byrural people themselves. Although they know a great deal about traditional energy supplies

and end-use options, very few of know aboutthe potential of new technologies and modernfuels, making it difficult for them to contributemeaningfully to much of the planning process.”(World Energy Council 1999, p.101)

Therefore the international MSc-course “SESAM-Sustainable Energy Systems and Management”aims to prepare participants to work in leadingpositions in national and international organi-sations as well as in businesses in order to promote sustainable development strategiesand to implement energy concepts in the context of sustainable development. Of greatimportance in this context are key qualifications: • ability to view problems/solutions in their

entirety, i. e. a holistic approach• creativity and openness to innovation• inter-disciplinarily approach• problem-solving ability• social competencies and the ability to

operate in teams.

Besides interdisciplinary study phases on tech-nology and management with emphasis onrenewable energy, project management anddevelopment strategies, environment and economy and socio-cultural aspects (10 monthsin Germany) participants will take part in a fivemonths international study programme: twomonths with all participants as a group in an“International Classroom” and three months as individuals in field research. The internationalphase is in collaboration with partners like UnitedNations Development Programme (UNDP) inNepal with its “Rural Energy Development Programme REDP”. The partnership is to provide opportunity to apply the theoreticalknowledge and skills in practical projects.

Experiences of the International Classroom with UNDP Nepal:

Every year the SESAM group went to Nepal toevaluate rural energy projects and to learn thephases of project implementation. Vice versastaff members of REDP/UNDP participated inproject orientated seminars in Nepal during theInterational Classroom and staff members were 103

SESAM– BuildingBridges between North and South


also taken for full SESAM MSc study course andwithin their own field research also evaluatedtechnical, economical and socio-cultural changes,benefits and failures.

The Rural Energy Development Programme(REDP) is a joint programme of UNDP/WorldBank and His Majesty’s Government of Nepalwhich adopts a holistic approach for sustainablerural development, to enhance rural livelihoodsand to preserve environment through the promotion of renewable energy systems (microhydro, solar home systems, biogas, improvedcooking stoves etc.) where possibilities ofcommercial energy supply do not exist. Specifically, the programme aims to haveimpact in the areas of

• promotion of efficient end-use technologies, including non-farm actitivies

• improved quality of life, especially for women and children

• rural capacity building and• restoration of the natural environment.

Capacity building is a focus for REDP andSESAM: staff of both the institutions are in a continous learning process with different professional, technical and socio-economicexperiences on one hand based on academicbackground, and on the other hand based on practical programme experience. Linkingthese two elements offers the chance for synergy-effects: academic training and educationwith application to programme identification,implementation and evaluation gives benefit tothe international SESAM participants and theREDP staff likewise.

Especially the implementation of projectsthrough community mobilization, bottom-upparticipatory planning and decentralized decision-making in energy development as wellas producing human resources in renewableenergy on national level down to grass-root level for nearly 1500 village technicians, about4350 income generating and micro-enterprises,awareness and orientation on rural energy technologies for about 6000 people in the districts in Nepal and has successfully establishedmore than 125 community owned micro-hydroschemes, about 3500 biogas plants and 1700solar home systems (REDP 2003).

Main experience of the common learning processof SESAM and REDP/UNDP is: • Renewable energy as a tool for social changes,

for creating awareness and changing the role of gender is an encouraging perspective for rural development.

• Human Resource Development is an indispensable component of a country’s development process: this is a must for national project and development planning and it is essential for the capacity of local groups (community members, locally elected bodies, NGOs, private sectors) to manage and operate rural energy projects in a sustainable manner.

ENHANCED LIVELIHOOD

RESMicro HydroBiogas/Biomass

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104

Figure 6Energy WheelSource: REDP 2002


• Basic energy services alone do not bring positive changes in the society: for sustain-ability people’s participation is a must. Bringing people or mobilizing them (both men and women) into the mainstream of development process is essential before any kind of technology intervention

• Never promote energy projects in isolation: in rural and generally poor communities, the design must be essentially aiming at integrated development.

• Renewable energy projects are not automatically sustainable: economic aspects with generating additional income is the most challenging task. Income generating activities through locally produced goods and services also depend on access to markets,number of potential customers (difficult in remote areas), diversification of products, and purchasing power in the villages.

And last not least: • Combining university’s academic education

of SESAM with project implementation of UNDP/REDP as International Classroom has contributed in a significant way to the competency of the participants in both the institutions preparing them for leading positions in international projects.

• Since a number of years SESAM also uses internetbased course facilities to give more people the opportunity to participate in this global learning in the coming years.

References

Khennas, Smail (2002): Energy Services andSustainable Development: a Multi-level Approach in: Newsletter - Renewable Energy for Develop-ment, SEI Stockholm Environmental Institute,2002 Vol. 15, No. 1/2

Morales, Maria M./Johnson, Francis X. 2002.Energy for Sustainable Development: The Roadfrom Stockholm to Johannesburg, in: Newsletter - Renewable Energy for Develop-ment, SEI Stockholm Environmental Institute,2002 Vol. 15, No. 1/2 )

Painuly J. P./Fenhann, J.V., 2002. Implementationof Renewable Energy Technologies – Opportunities and Barriers, UNEP CollaboratingCentre on Energy and Environment – Risoe National Laboratory, Denmark

Painuly J. P./Fenhann, J.V., 2002. Implementationof Renewable Energy Technologies – Opportunities and Barriers, UNEP CollaboratingCentre on Energy and Environment – Risoe National Laboratory/Denmark

REDP (1998), Community – Managed RuralEnergy Development, Strategic and OperationalFramework, REDP, Kathmandu, Nepal

REDP (2000), URJA: Energy for Development, A Publication of Rural Energy Development Programme, Vol.12, REDP, Kathmandu, Nepal

REDP (2002), Annual Report, REDP, Kathmandu,Nepal.

105

Figure 7 (left)Practical Training forRural Technicians(REDP 2000)

Figure 8 (right)Awareness on ruralenergy in villages(REDP 2000)


REDP (2003), Progress Report, REDP, Kathmandu,Nepal (unpublished)

SESAM 2002 – Pradhanang, Yugesh. Sustain-ability of a Decentralised Rural Energy System inVietnam, – The Experience of Microhydro-DieselSystem in Na Bo Village, International Instituteof Management, SESAM/University of Flens-burg, Germany

World Energy Council (1999), The Challenge of Rural Energy Poverty in Developing Countries,London

106

Science Forum 2004Alfredo Curbelo Alonso • UNESCO’s Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Program

IntroductionThe Global Renewable Energy Education andTraining Program (GREET) is implemented byUNESCO in the scope of the World Solar Programme with the aim to contribute toincrease through education and training thecapacity at national level to accomplish a sustainable energy development path.

The Latin America and Caribbean Region (LAC)are characterized by ample differences amongcountries in the region in relation with the energysituation, the social economic development and sustainability and capability in the societyto advance in the process to meet the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.

Setting up of the GREET LAC Chapter would be a fundamental contribution to increase andconsolidate the regional capacity to support theRenewable Energy development. For this reason,it is foreseen to start a consultation process thatinvolving the key regional actors would makepossible the design of the most appropriateRenewable Energy Education and Training Program for the Region. This document is a firststep and its purpose is to develop a generaldescription about how could be foreseen thisprogram for the region.

International Commitment for a Sustainable EnergyDevelopment

The international community has expressed hiscommitment for a sustainable developmentapproving the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) during the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).The role of Energy for the achievement of theMillennium Goals is shown in Paragraph 19 ofthe World Summit on Sustainable Development

(WSSD) Plan of Implementation adopted inJohannesburg. In particular request to:

With a sense of urgency, substantially increase the global share of renewable energysources with the objective of increasing its contribution to total energy supply, recognizing the role of national and voluntary regional targets as well as initiatives, where they exist, and ensuring that energy policies are supportive to developing countries’ efforts to eradicate poverty, and regularly evaluate available data to review progress to this end.

Latin American Authorities have activelyexpressed their support to the conception ofSustainable Development and to meet theMDGs. Demonstration of this priority approachto the topic is the “Latin American andCaribbean Initiative for Sustainable Develop-ment”, approved by the Seventh Meeting of the Inter-Sessional Committee of the Forumof Ministers of Latin America and the Caribbeanon May 2002 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that calls toadopt priority actions to address, among others,the sustainable generation of energy and theincreasing participation of renewable sources.Particular significance in this context has theBrazilian Energy Initiative that called countriesduring the WSSD in Johannesburg to assumethe compromise to “increase the use of renew-able energy to 10% as a share of total by 2010”.

Energy and Sustainable Development in Latin America

It is used to consider three main dimensions ofthe sustainable development: Environmental,Social and Economic. A brief remark about theconnection of energy with every one of thesedimensions in the region would be: 107

UNESCO’s Global Renewable EnergyEducation and Training Program in aLatin American View

Alfredo Curbelo AlonsoDirector GEPROP (Cuba)

[email protected]


Environmental: Latin America is in general asfor greenhouse gas emissions in particular a low emissions region. Those emissions due to burning of fuels in the region, account for lessthan 4% of global emissions and 7% of emissions in OECD countries (excluding Mexico).The energy system is relatively clean and emissions due to energy production, in particular,are among the lowest on the planet. However,the intense process of deforestation, overgrazing,and agricultural expansion that is seen in almostall countries in the region means carbon release,and most importantly, a decrease in the carbonsequestration capacity because of a decrease inforest coverage.

Social: In Latin America, poverty, especially rural poverty, continues to be one of the majorproblems assailing the region, with approxi-mately 44% of its entire population and 64%of the rural population, living below the povertyline. The rural poor are thus generally worse offthan those in the urban areas. No matter to therelative high rate of access to electricity servicesin the region, this fact affects significantly theaffordability to theses services for greater partof the population.

Economic: In the region there is very importantpetroleum exporting countries like Venezuelaand Mexico, 5th and 9th exporting countries inthe world, and other petroleum producingcountries that can satisfy a significant share ofthe national demand of petroleum products.Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador andTrinidad Tobago are included in this group. Butthere is also an important group of countriesthat heavily depend of the petroleum productimports; this dependence represents a significantburden over their economies. Examples ofcountries included in this group are Guyana,Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti, and Paraguay thatconsume 13.6, 8.3, 6.2, 5.7 and 4.2 tep/1021995 US$ of GDP correspondingly .

Energy situationSome remarks that could characterize the energy development in the region are:

The share of electricity in the total primaryenergy supply varies significantly from countryto country. While there are countries with a

share of electricity in the total primary energythat is higher than 30% (Argentina, Venezuela,Brazil, Uruguay, Chile), another group of countries shows figures less than 15% (Honduras,Nicaragua, Guatemala and Haiti).

The production of electricity using renewableenergy has in the region outstanding exampleswith a share higher that 90% based mainly inthe utilization of the hydropower (Paraguay,Costa Rica, Brasil and Uruguay), while in Mexico,Nicaragua, Cuba and Dominican Republic) isproduced less than 25% of the electricity fromrenewable sources.

The electricity consumption per capita also showsa disperse distribution: A group of countries hasa high electricity consumption per capita peryear, higher than 1,5 MWh, (Venezuela, Uruguay,Mexico, Argentina and Chile), but also there is another group of countries with an annual consumption less than 0,5MWh (Bolivia,Nicaragua, Guatemala and Haiti).

The annual conventional fuel consumption per capita indicator takes values higher than 0,9 tep/inhab in petroleum exporting countrieslike Mexico and Venezuela and in net importingcountries like Chile, Dominican Republic andCuba. On the other side, in countries likeColombia, Peru, Bolivia and Haiti the annualfuel consumption per capita is less than 0,45 tep/inhab.

Particular interest has the energy use of theforestry biomass. Despite the more or less uniform distribution of the biomass resources in the region, it can be also observed big differences in the forestry biomass consumption.The relatively higher forestry biomass consumption per capita in the region (morethan 0,5 tep/inhab per year) is found inParaguay, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvadorand Chile, while the lower consumption percapita (less than 0,2 tep/inhab) corresponds to Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.

The significance of the total biomass (fuel wood+ sugar cane bagasse) consumption in the totaldirect fuel use has achieved different extent inthe region. In countries like Haiti, Paraguay,Honduras Guatemala and El Salvador the biomass108


consumption is determinant in the direct fueluse, consuming more than 1,3 tep of biomassper tep of oil products while in Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador and DominicanRepublic the direct use of biomass is very low,in those countries it is consumed for direct usemore than 4 tep of oil product per tep of bio-mass consumed.

In conclusion, it is clear that the pattern ofenergy use and renewable energy productionand delivery has significant differences withinthe region. Even, the fact to be a country producing petroleum or to be a country wherethe electricity produced from renewable sourcesis significant do not prove any regularity in thewhole energy picture for the specific country.

Development indicators: But the challenges tomeet the Millennium Development Goals in theregion also are different from country to country.Some of the basic indicators included in theHuman Development Report 2001 produced byUNDP can be used to confirm this assertion.The selected indicators are the GDP per capita,live expectancy at birth and the adult literacy.

The GDP per capita has the higher values (morethan 8000 US$/inhab) in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay and the lowerones (Less than 3000 US$/inhab) in Haiti,Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua.

There are countries with a live expectancy atbirth in the rank of the developed world (morethan 75 years): Chile, Costa Rica and Cuba, butalso with less than 66 years: Bolivia, Guatemalaand Haiti.

In the case of the adult literacy, no matter thatthe general figures for this indicator are positiveones, there are significant differences amongcountries: a group of countries have reachedmore than 95% of adult literacy (Argentina,Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba and Uruguay) but foranother group it is under 80% in this indicator(El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras andNicaragua).

Sustainable Energy Development Paradigm

The relevancy of the role that renewable energysources are called to play in the efforts to meetthe Millennium Development Goals could bebriefly justified by the following reasons:

• The Climate Change mitigation only can be achieved if the share of renewable energy sources in the world energy balance would be actually significant.

• The technological development has guided a process of price reduction for the energy that is produced using renewable energy sources. While this trend should be even reinforced in the future, it is foreseen that the prices of the petroleum products will grow incessantly. These changes of pricing will contribute to create a situation where the renewable energy should be competitive with the conventional ones in market conditions. At that moment, the commercial balance of the countries where renewable energy technologies would be introduced as bulk energy will receive a great benefit.

• Poverty reduction in rural areas is closely related to the widespread use of decentralized energy systems, most of them based on renewable energy sources.

Actually, the current technological developmentis enough to support a more intensive expansionof applications of renewable energy sources incommercial or close to commercial conditions.The main fields of applications for renewableenergy technologies could be grouped in centralized power production, renewable commercial fuels and rural energy services.

The availability of renewable energy resources is plenty in most of the countries of the LatinAmerican and Caribbean Region. Specialsignificance has biomass (25% of world forestryarea and 40% of the world potential productionof bagasse), hydropower (20% of the worldtechnically exploitable capability), solar andwind energy resources in the region.

109


But no matter to this technological developmentand availability of renewable energy sources,the use of these technologies is very far fromthe potential penetration that they could havein the mix of primary energy sources. This situation habitually is explained introducing the concept of barriers that are classified as technical, economic, financial, legal and institutional ones.

But a more thorough reason to explain why it isso difficult to introduce the renewable energytechnologies is the fact that the energy develop-ment paradigm that currently is applied to evaluate the goals, ways to meet these goals,and performance indicators in the energy fieldappeared in the world two centuries ago withthe industrial revolution. The main target atthat moment was to develop energy sourcesand technologies that could replace the lowenergy intensive renewable energy technologiesthat were used until that time. But this energyparadigm has led the world not only to the fasteconomic development that the developedworld enjoys today, but also to the reality of theclimate changes, to a life in poverty for a greatportion of the humanity and to the depletion ofthe petroleum reserves.

But to meet the Millennium Development Goalsand to facilitate to remove the barriers to amassive renewable energy deployment, it isnecessary to move from an energy developmentconception centred mainly in the developmentof national economics, to a new one centred ina world wide sustainable development and it is only possible if the energy development paradigm used by the whole society is changed.

This new development energy paradigm shouldrecognize as its main goals among others:• Reduce drastically GHG emissions from

power producer facilities as a result of the radical increasing of renewable power production and the use of cleaner technologies for power production using fossil energy sources.

• Provide access to electricity to isolated communities to guarantee services like healthcare, education, communication, drinking water, etc. It should be done based on a

rational sustainable use of local natural resources and the most appropriate combi-nation of available energy technologies.

• Increase the affordability of low-income population to electricity and to quality fuels.

• Extensively introduce the use of biofuels for transport, cooking and process heat improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of these services using modern technologies with enough maturity.

The Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme to meetMillennium DevelopmentGoals in Latin America

The role of capacity development “understoodas the process of creating, mobilizing, enhancing,or upgrading, and converting skill /expertise,institutions and contexts to achieve specificdesired socio-economic outcomes, ….” is criticalto create the conditions for a sustainable energydevelopment. In this scope, the role of educationand training, as capacity building activities thatare included in any capacity development program, is widely recognised.

The Global Renewable Education and TrainingProgramme Latin American Chapter is called to become an agent to develop the capacity inthe region to transform the individuals, institu-tions and the overall policy framework as a forceable to meet the challenges that represent toimplement the new energy development para-digm and to overcome the different barriers torenewable energy technologies expansion.

The actions of the program would be directedto relevant stakeholders involved in the frame-work of a renewable energy developmentfocused to meet the Millennium DevelopmentGoals. Among those stakeholders should beincluded not only governmental officials, representatives from the productive, academicand specialized sectors, from financing andplanning systems and from the media, but also110


those linked to MDGs achievement: education,health care, sanitation, water supply and environment fields.

The aim of the program is to transform theapproach of those relevant stakeholders to theEnergy Development Paradigm and to the roleof the RETs to meet the MDGs and to the actionsthat should be undertaken to reinforce it.

Some of the expected outputs of the programcould be formulated for some of these relevantstakeholders as:

Governmental officials: They will understandthe predicted evolution of the conventionalenergy supply, the connection between energyand climate changes and the role of renewableenergy technologies in a future sustainableenergy scenario. They will be aware about the decision makingprocess related to energy services necessities tomeet the MDGs and will conduct analysis notonly using strictly techno-economic indicators. They will recognize the priority to create anappropriate legal and regulatory framework topromote the widespread use of renewable energy.They will accept the need to introduce thequestion about the sustainability of the energydevelopment in the national political agenda.

Planning sector: The understanding of the performance of RETs and its potential to beintegrated in the energy systems will beimproved.

The capacity to use new planning tools will bedeveloped to consider the introduction ofrenewable energy sources into the planningprocess to meet country energy demands andMDGs.

The personnel from the sector will be aware ofthe need to increase the use of specific indica-tors for sustainability in the planning of theenergy development.

Utility personnel: They will be updated abouttechnological development and performance ofRETs.

They will be trained to evaluate integration ofrenewable energy technologies into the powergrid.

They will have a better understanding aboutdecentralised power systems and the use ofhybrid solutions.

Specialised sector: Company staff will betrained in the design, installation and main-tenance of RET facilities. The capacity to make the renewable energyresource assessment will be developed.

Finance sector: Specialists will be aware of thespecific characteristics of the renewable energytechnologies. The capacity to develop specific instruments forfinancing investments in the renewable energysector will be achieved. The skills to evaluate renewable energy projectrisks and revenue streams will be developed.

Science and technology sector: Science andtechnology people will have achieved a goodunderstanding about the renewable energyequipment and technologies and will be readyto adapt and to develop them to the specificconditions in countries of the region.

The regional capacity will be developed to exe-cute non-technology research and developmentstudies of issues related to public awareness,economic and financial assessment, legal andregulatory supportive frameworks, policies topromote RETs, etc.

Some of the possible actions to be implementedto achieve expected outputs described beforewould be:• Establish national training programs in

vocational schools, universities and other appropriate institutions.

• Provision of specialized courses on renewable and a consensus with academic institutions to include a stronger coverage of renewable energy technologies in traditional academic courses.

• Provide information at all levels of education (from primary schools to universities) about the potential and benefits of renewable

111


energy, state of the technologies, and other relevant issues.

• Development of guidelines on public education and certification schemes.

• Creation of internationally recognized academic and vocational qualifications in renewable energy technology design, installation, and maintenance.

• Dissemination activities, actions and programs geared towards demonstrating the importance of the renewable energy development at policy decision-making levels and, above all, creating the awareness about the fact that to establish a new sustainable development paradigm should become a priority for the whole society.

• Training courses for local authorities to help them identify opportunities for renewables.

• Establishment of regional networks of universities and even virtual R&D institutions.

• Short courses, workshops and updating seminars directed to maintaining governmental institutions’ human resources up-to-date.

• Implement courses and develop graduate programs for the technical-scientific sector.

• The promotion of academic and professional exchanges with developed countries, and between countries within the region, including capacity of experts. The develop-ment of joint international programs and networks in thematic fields

Action Plan

The aim of this action plan is to design and tomake operational the GREET LAC Chapter. Themain activities that have been identified are:

Activity 1: Education and training needs• Diagnosis of priorities for sustainable energy

development to meet MDGs and increase renewable energy share in the national energy balance;

• Identification of relevant stakeholders and its functions to fulfil identified priorities;

• Formulate education and training needs of relevant stakeholders to be able to perform their functions.

Activity 2: Educational and Training capacities• Survey of training and education capacities

and expertise in the region; • Formation of clusters of countries using the

criteria of the similarity of education and training needs;

• Design of activities to meet E&T needs;• Improving of regional capacity to E&T

activities.

Activity 3: Establishment of Partnerships forprogram implementation with• Ongoing regional projects that include

activities related to E&T;• Regional and sub regional organizations

(CEPAL, OLADE, CARICOM, etc.);• Professional associations involved in

renewable energy technology;• International Centres of Excellences.• National Energy Agencies.

Activity 4: Program Implementation

The first action to implement the activity 1 willbe a Meeting in Havana on December 2004with the main regional stakeholders to launchthe Latin American and Caribbean Chapter ofthe Global Renewable Energy Education andTraining Program.

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Launching the Open International Solar University (OPURE)

• The EUREC’s Master in Renewable Energies – Educating Renewable Energy Engineers

• Renewable Energy Education Network: The International Institute for Renewable Energies (IIRE)

• European Network on Education and Training in Renewable Energy Sources (EURONETRES)

• Renewable Energy Research and Education Network

Science Forum 2004

IntroductionEUREC Agency is the initiator and the coor-dinating body of the graduate programme “European Master in Renewable Energy”. A network of eight European universities, members of EUREC agency, having a leadingposition in renewable energy RD&D, runs thecourse. The European Master in RenewableEnergy is directed towards engineers that wantto specialise in one of the renewable energytechnologies, such as wind, biomass, photo-voltaics, or in one application domain of thesetechnologies, such as solar in buildings orhybrid systems.

From a survey1 undertaken by EUREC Agency aspart of an ALTENER project, a growing shortageof suitably trained technical staff for the RE sector and a distinct demand for postgraduatecourses have been highlighted. The survey indicated a severe lack of high level teachingmaterials, due to inertia in higher educationinstitutions and the slow rate of recognition ofthe renewable energy’s increasingly importantrole in the energy mix.

Regardless the fact that the EU does not seemon track to meeting its targets2, the Europeanrenewable energy industry is today one of thefastest growing industry sectors in the EU: it has reached a turnover of EUR 10 billion andemploys some 200.000 people. The renewableenergy industry, creates employment at muchhigher rates than many other energy technolo-gies. New research, industrial and craft jobsappear directly in R&D, production, installation

and maintenance of renewable energy systems.Backward linkages to other sectors triggeringdemand for technical RE expertise exist for consultancies, insurance companies and evenlaw firms performing technical due diligence.Predicting precisely the number of people to betrained is difficult. However, various projectionsfor employment in the renewable energy industryhave been made. Currently, around 85.000 jobshave been created in Europe in the field of windenergy alone. According to estimations of theEuropean Renewable Energy Council3, by 2010,there will be 184.000 full time jobs in the windsector, 338.000 in biomass, with 424.000 additional jobs for biofuels. Small hydro andgeothermal power are expected to provide for 15.000 and 6.000 jobs respectively, while PVand solar thermal will employ another 30.000and 70.000 people. This presents a total of over1 million jobs for the RE sector by 2010, animpressive number that is to double for thenew RE sector target of 20% by 2020! Even ifit is only a small proportion of these employeeswho require education at graduate level, it isclear that the demand for technical RE expertiseis growing.

A response to the demand for specialised engineers

Renewable energies cover a wide range ofdiversified technologies, and each domainrequires specific skills and know-how a generalengineer does not automatically get. How

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Didier Mayer • The EUREC’s Master in Renewable Energies

Didier Mayer

Ecole des Mines de Paris,

CENERG, EUREC Agency

[email protected]

The EUREC’s Master in Renewable Energies – EducatingRenewable Energy Engineers

Katharina Krell

EUREC Agency

[email protected]

1 Published in June 2000 “European Master Degree on Renewable Energy” in Proceedings EuroSun 20002 EU Renewable Targets for 2010:

• RES-E Directive on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources (RES): 22.1% of gross electricity consumption from RES

• White Paper and Action Plan on Renewable Energy Sources (1997): 12% of energy consumption from RES• Biofuels Directive on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewables fuels for transport (2003):

5.75% of sold gasoline and diesel3 European Renewable Energy Council EREC: “Renewable Energy Target for Europe”, January 2004, Brussels.

See www.erec-renewables.org for details

Science Forum 2004Didier Mayer • The EUREC’s Master in Renewable Energies

much does a biofuel expert have in commonwith a turbine developer? Even within one technology, such as PV, experts either focus onsystems or on materials. Until recently, therewas no university training to be found that wentinto sufficient depth to provide its graduateswith the relevant expertise and specific trainingwas left to the employer.

Most of the companies that make up the REindustry landscape are of small and mediumsize. Even if there are recent tendencies for consolidation of the sector like the takeover ofMADE by Iberdrola or the expected merger ofthe Danish wind turbine manufacturers Vestasand NEGMicon, the majority of companies donot count as large enterprises. Given the fact thatthe launch of new products is a cost-intensiveexercise involving heavy investment in researchand development, the sector is certainly notmaking large enough profits for single companiesto embark on expensive training programmesfor new employees. However, new recruits,even if they might hold an engineering degree,are not per se fit for a company’s daily jobrequirements and typically need a minimum ofsix months on-the-job training before being able to contribute tangible results.

Driven by the fact that there is not enough supply in the labour market that qualifies tomeeting the specific demand of the different REcompanies, EUREC Agency set up a graduatedegree course to satisfy industry needs in humanresources: the European Master in RenewableEnergy. This full-time technical course providesits students with the state-of-the-art skills andexpertise required for employment in the REindustry. By turning out experts in the respectiveRE technology, the course significantly reducesthe time and financial burden of training newemployees for the potential employers.

A European Master run by renewables-experienced universities

The European Master in Renewable Energy has been designed in cooperation with eight universities in five EU countries, with each

institution adding its specialised technologicalknowledge to the programme.

The core is taught by universities having a strongrecord in general renewable energy technologyteaching. They are the following :• Loughborough University, UK

(language: English)• Carl von Ossietzky University at Oldenburg

University, Germany (language: English)• Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain

(language: Spanish)• Ecole des Mines de Paris at Sophia Antipolis

(Nice), France (language: French)The core lasts from October to December andends with a series of exams.

The specialisation providers propose a specificfocus on one renewable technology or on onedomain of application: Five specialisations, alltaught in English, are available:• Wind energy – at the National Technical

University of Athens, Greece• Biomass – at Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain• Photovoltaics – at University of Northumbria

at Newcastle, UK• Hybrid systems – at Kassel University, Germany• Solar in buildings – at University of Athens,

GreeceEach specialisation lasts from January to April andends with a series of theory and practical exams.

In the coming years, it is expected that the listof specialisations available will grow. A speciali-sation in water power (to include micro-hydro,wave and tidal power) would be especially welcome and relevant as this domain is expectedto grow in a near future.

The twelve-months programme is divided in three parts, getting progressively more andmore practical: The “core” provides a firm comprehensivebackground in the key renewable energy technologies (wind, solar, biomass, water). It concentrates on energy production and useand addresses the socio-economic context.Mostly theoretical courses are completed withlaboratory workshops. The “specialisation”focuses on the specific technology and imple-mentation aspects of one renewable energy discipline of the student’s choice: Wind energy,116


biomass, photovoltaics, hybrid systems, or solarenergy in the built environment. In-depth theoryclasses alternate with extensive practical work in laboratories and testing facilities, while studyexcursions illustrate real-life implementation.

The balanced mix of theoretical and practicalcourses optimally prepares graduating engineers for jobs in the growing renewableenergy industry. An extensive 5-months com-pany placement for hands-on project work is an integral part of the programme. It providesstudents with valuable working experience,while allowing companies to fill their short-termhuman resources needs and to “try out” potential future employees. During this period,a tutor from the host company supervises andguides the student during project work, while asecond supervisor from the university at whichthe student will undertake his or her specialisationhelps the student with his /her project work.

Different to the few other existing Master-levelRE courses, the European RE Master plays theEuropean card: students are required to studyin at least two different European countries.This feature reflects the fact that there is at present a tendency to cross national bordersand set up foreign representations or carry outproject work abroad, even for small and medium RE companies. Clearly, interculturalawareness and foreign languages are assets that present a plus for any employer today.

Coordination and management

To guarantee the academic quality and level of the course and to delegate the academic programme management to the adequate body,a Scientific Committee exists, made up of theacademic responsible persons for the project atthe partner universities.

This Scientific Committee has final authorityover any management decision affecting theEuropean Master in Renewable Energy. Regularcontact between the members of the ScientificCommittee guarantee a smooth communicationflow and successful implementation of the course.

Examination and assessment results are expressedin grades. There are many different grading systems in Europe. The ECTS (European CreditTransfer System) serves as tool for mutualrecognition of student achievements.

ECTS credits are a value allocated to courseunits to describe the student workload requiredto complete them. They reflect the quantity ofwork each course requires in relation to thetotal quantity of work required to complete afull year of academic study at the institution,that is, lectures, practical work, seminars, privatework – in the laboratory, library or at home –and examinations or other assessment activities.

ECTS credits are also allocated to practicalplacements and to thesis preparation when theseactivities form part of the regular programme of study at both the home and host institutions.

ECTS credits are allocated to courses and areawarded to students who successfully completethose courses by passing the examinations orother assessments.

ECTS grades are quoted alongside gradesawarded according to the local grading system.Higher education institutions make their owndecisions on how to apply the ECTS gradingscale to their own system.

Conforming to the tendency towards EU-wideuniformity and comparability of universitydiplomas, the European Master in RenewableEnergies leads to a final degree mutually recognised by the different countries’ universities.The labelling is the equivalent of “EuropeanMSc in Renewable Energy” in the language of the core university (i. e. the University ofZaragoza issues a “Master Europeo en EnergiasRenovables”). The degree is issued by the coreuniversity according to its respective nationalstandards. It has been decided that studentsonly register with the core University, whichthen becomes responsible for awarding thedegree. This is to ensure that the degree will be recognized universally as a Masters. Theconsequence of this is that the awarding institution must recognize the credits of theother participating Universities.

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Table 12003 – 2004 StudentOverview Core / Spe-cialisation


Considerable co-ordination and management isrequired to organise such a course involving 12different organizations in total. EUREC Agencyplays a central co-ordination role and providesthe initial point of contact for students. It isresponsible for admissions, marketing, inform-ing the Scientific Committee and implementingits decisions.

Companies are encouraged to contact EURECAgency with a project proposal they would liketo have a trainee for. EUREC Agency then findstrainees for them. All trainees already hold anengineering or other relevant degree and havefollowed the European Master in RE core andspecialisation by the time they enter a company;they are already junior RE experts.

Target students

The course is of strictly technical nature andthus only applicants with an engineering,physics or relevant scientific university degreeare admitted. Beyond this, applicants must have a very good command of English languagein order to follow classes.

Typically, a student applies to EUREC Agencyresponsible for the admissions procedure. Hisapplication is reviewed by the academic partnersof the core university and the specialisation university the student has chosen. The core university then registers the student for thewhole course. Classes start in October for thecore where the student learns about the differentRET’s in a general but technical manner. He does

laboratory work and passes a series of exams.During this period he also looks for a placementin the RE industry with the help of the coredirector. In January, the student moves on to thespecialisation university. Here, he will only focuson his specialisation to get as deep an under-standing as possible in the four months period.Guest lecturers add latest research findings orillustrate practical applications of the technology,and the student visits installations, and experi-ments with the technology in laboratories.Then he starts his internship period with a company. Leading to a report on his projectwork and the preparation of a presentation that he holds in September in Brussels in frontof an academic panel composed of the coursedirectors. His fellow students as well as interestedindustry or research representatives assist at thisevent. He gets graded on both project reportand presentation.

EUREC Agency is creating an network of formerstudents to keep track of their career develop-ment, to monitor which percentage of graduatesfind work in the RE sector as planned, whichsectors are most likely to employ graduates andhow long students have to look for a job upongraduation. The results of this monitoring are notavailable yet, as the first students have onlyreceived their final diplomas at the end of 2003.However, half of them is already working intheir discipline of specialisation, an encouragingsign (see Table 1).

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biomass wind PV hybrid systems solar build Total

Zaragoza 2 2 2 2 EU 8

non-EU

Loughborough 3 3 3 2 0 EU 11

1 1 1 2 non-EU 5

Ecole des Mines 0 2 0 6 0 EU 8

non-EU

Total 6 8 6 12 0 32

EU students 27% EU students: 84,38%

Non-EU students 5% Non-EU students: 15,63%


6. Outlook

The medium objective consists in establishingthe European Master in RE as a reference in thefield of Master-grade RE education on EU level,while taking into account the EU enlargement.In practical terms, this means promoting thecourse with the renewables industry, increasingthe number of participating universities withinthe EU in order to cope with the growing numberof students and extend the geographic scope to the East.

Given the high number of applications receivedfrom developing countries’ students, an adaptedreplication of the course is under considerationfor Asia and later on for Latin America and Africa.

EUREC Agency, the European association ofrenewable energy research centres, makes surethe course curriculum fully and timely integratesall relevant new R&D results. EUREC membersbeing R&D centres and universities as well, thenetwork takes care of transferring knowledgefrom research laboratories into the classrooms.On the other side, the continuous dialogue withthe RE industry guarantees that the teachingremains sector-relevant. After all, the course hasultimately been set up to serve the RE industry.

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Figure 1Nationality mix of students in2003–2004

MEX

IE

DE

CDN

US

IT

UK

GRBE

FR

ES

Science Forum 2004Wattapong Rakwichian • International Institute for Renewable Energy

IntroductionNaresuan University has entered an agreementfor the establishment of the International Institutefor Renewable Energy (IIRE) in cooperation withthe following universities: Curtin University of Technology (Australia), University of New Brunswick (Canada), Yunnan Normal University (China), Claude Bernard Lyon University (France), Kassel University (German), Tokyo University of Agriculture (Japan), andTribhuvan University (Nepal). IIRE is located at the Research and TrainingBuilding, Energy Park, Solar Energy Researchand Training Center, Naresuan University.

IIRE is a non-profit making, international institutethat is concerned primarily with the promotionof research and development, testing anddemonstration of renewable energy technologiesand the diffusion of knowledge and informationgained as widely as possible. IIRE will facilitateresearch cooperation among institutions, arrangetraining to enhance competence, and organizemeetings to increase awareness, thus contri-buting to the development and promotion ofrenewable energy.

IIRE will continue to seek collaboration withinternational organizations and sponsors forjoint activities, ranging from research anddevelopment through to the training of technicians and information dissemination.

The mission of IIRE is to be an effective centerfor the generation and sharing of informationrelating to renewable energy and for the development of the human resources requiredto successfully promote its use through the provision of training, the facilitation of interna-tional cooperation.

IIRE is organized into three departments; theSecretariat Office, International CooperationOffice, and Renewable Energy Information Center. Each department is sub-divided intosections according to their respective functions(Fig.1).

The sections and functions of the SecretariatOffice consist of Administration, HumanResource, Finance & Accounting, Public Relations, and Meeting & Seminar.

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Figure 1Functions and Organization of IIRE

Renewable Energy Education Network: The International Institutefor Renewable Energy (IIRE)

Wattapong Rakwichian

School of Renewable

Energy Technology (SERT)

Naresuan University

(Thailand)

[email protected]

International Institute for Renewable Energy (IIRE)

Secretariat Office

Administration

Human Resource

Finance & Accounting

Public Relations

Meeting & Seminar

International Cooperation Office

Education Curriculum Support

Resource Sharing of Faculty Members

Resource Sharing of Laboratory Facilities

Joint Research Projects

Joint Sourcing of Project Finance

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy Information

Publication of International

Renewable Energy


The sections and functions of the InternationalCooperation Office consist of Education Curriculum Support, Resource Sharing of FacultyMembers, Sharing of Laboratory Facilities, Joint Research Projects, and Joint Sourcing ofProject Finance.

The sections and functions of the RenewableEnergy Information Center consist of theRenewable Energy Information Service andpublication of the International RenewableEnergy Journal.

Research, education and training for the global

IIRE aims to be an excellent institute for theresearch and development of renewable energytechnology such as solar thermal, PV, solarhydrogen, biomass and energy economics.With high quality research, it aims to solve anypotential energy crisis in the future in this country and the world.

To conduct the Doctor of Philosophy on Renewable Energy to enable the developmentof human resources in the field of renewableenergy through study and research in order toadvance knowledge for efficient utilization of renewable energy at the local, national andinternational level. Our goal is to develop professional personnel in the fields of renewableenergy, energy conservation, energy manage-ment and environment conservation. Our program promotes research work in renewableenergy in order to keep pace with currentadvances in technology and new innovations in the academic field.

Renewable Energy Training ProgramThe main renewable energy application areasare wide rural regions. Most people there arepoor and have low education. They need to betrained to use the renewable energy. Ourexperiments let us know that the suitable know-ledge and technology are important to thepopularization of renewable energy application.Developed countries can support the expertisefor Mekong Region to hold the different level

training classes in each developing country, various training programs as follows:• Rural Energy Camp• Solar Dryer System Use• Renewable Energy Database Management• Technology and Solar Energy Applications• Biogas from Animal Dung• Photovoltaic System for Remote Area• Roof-top grid Connected

Standard Testing for Renewable System for the Mekong RegionThe production of electricity from photovoltaicsystem needs a proper design for its efficientand continuous operation. The standard testingof photovoltaic module and balance of system(BOS) is very important for sustainable imple-mentation of the photovoltaic system. Mekongcountries do not have professional people whocan do the standard testing of the photovoltaicsystem. We realized the importance of conduct-ing a training course for standard testing ofphotovoltaic module and BOS to related govern-ment technical staff for meeting the standard of international standard testing. The trainingcourse is aimed for developing reliable photo-voltaic system that will be suitable and beneficialfor rural community in the region.

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Strengths, expanded and financed

IIRE have to survive by financial support fromthe following sources• University budget• Government budget• Benefit from business• Donation budget• Subsidy from other sources:

1) Domestic Fund• NEPO: National Energy Policy Office• NRCT: National Research Council of Thailand• TRF: Thailand Research Fund • NSTDA: Thailand’s National Science and

Technology Development Agency

2) International Fund• ADB: Asian Development Bank• ADEME: Agence de l’Environnement et de

la Maîtrise de l’Energie• AERECA: Asia Europe Renewable Energy

Consortium Agency • APEC: Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation• AREDO: Asia Renewable Energy

Development Organization• ASEAN: Associate South East Asia Nation • AusAID: Australian Agency for International

Development • CIDA: Canadian International Development

Agency• CORE: Council on Renewable Energy in

the Mekong Region• CRESTA: Center for Renewable Energy

Systems Technology Australia• DFG: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft• DLR: Germany Aerospace Center• EC: European Commission• ESCAP: Economic and Social Commission

for Asia and the Pacific• Fraunhofer ISE: Institut Solare Energiesysteme• GEF: Global Environment Facility• GTZ: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische

Zusammenarbeit• IEA: International Energy Agency• InWEnt: Internationale Weiterbildung und

Entwicklung gGmbH• ISET: Institut für Solare

Energieversorgungstechnik e.v.• JICA: Japan International Cooperation

Agency

• NEDO. New Energy and Industrial TechnologyDevelopment Organization (Japan)

• NREL: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA)

• PSA: Plataforma Solar de Almeria• RARC: Robotic Agriculture Research Center• RBF: Rockefeller Brothers Fund• UN: The United Nations Organization• UNDP: United Nations Development

Programme• UNEP: United Nations Environment

Programme• UNESCO: United Nations Educational

Scientific and Cultural Organization• USAID: U.S. Agency for International

Development• WB: World Bank

The strength of the International Institute forRenewable Energy (IIRE) is the network whichcontains of various countries including developedand developing countries as well who have thesame goal to protect and respect the naturalresources and the environment. Capacity build-ing for renewable energy will foster technologytransfer and human resources development.

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Science Forum 2004Spyros Kyritsis • European Network on Education and Training in Renewable Energy Sources

The EURONETRES has been planned as a regionalvoluntary cooperative framework, uniting academic institutions of the European countries,interested in the capacity building on RES1 atnational and regional levels and in particular, ineducation and training of specialists in RES forthe extended use of RES in Europe as well as inother regions of the World.

EURONETRES has been foreseen as an integralpart of the Global Renewable Energy Educationand Training (GREET) Programme of UNESCO,which is a priority area of the Organization’sactions in the field of engineering sciences and RES as approved by the 32nd Session of theUNESCO’s General Conference, which took placein September-October, 2003 in Paris, France.The Network will be sponsored by UNESCOthrough the UNESCO Office in Venice – RegionalBureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE).

Members of the Network

The membership of the Network is open foreducational-R&D institutions in Europe, whichhave a certain experience in RES education and training and have the intention to sharethis experience with partners, to contribute to the improvement of educational process onRES and to undertake new initiatives in this particular field. The membership of EURONETRESshould be confirmed by the directorates ofthose institutions which also nominate theirofficial representatives in the Network, one representative from each institution.

Working Groups Composition• A Working Group is composed by specialists

in the specific field, members of the EURONETRES Institutions

• A member of the Working Group is nominated by the Steering Committee {or the Executive Committee} as coordinator of the Group, with the responsibility to coordinate and to operate the Working Group, in consultation with the Executive Committee

• The Working Groups can invite experts in RES from institutions which are not members of the EURONETRES

The Education Levels ofEURONETRES

A. University Level EducationA.1.UnderGraduate EducationA.2.PostGraduate EducationB. Retraining Education for Diploma HoldersC. Technicians Education and Retraining

(or Specialisation)

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Figure 1 (above)EURONETRES Structure

Figure 2 Structure of WorkingGroups

European Network on Educationand Training in Renewable EnergySources (EURONETRES)

Spyros Kyritsis

Former President of Agricultural University ofAthens (Greece)

[email protected]

Steering CommitteeComposed of representatives of all EURONETRES members

Executive CommitteeComposed of 4 Members of the S.C. elected + 1 Member

of GREET Program + 1 Member of UNESCO-ROSTE

Working GroupsComposed of specialists in different RES-active

participants in teaching process

Working Groups

Wind Energy

Biomass Energy

Geothermal Energy

Hydroenergy

Cross-Cutting Disciplines

Working Groups

SUB W.G. PassiveSUB W.G. Active

1 RES = Renewable Energy Sources


D. Students Education in Primary and Secondary Schools

E. Mass Media for Initiation – Education of the Citizens on RES

EURONETRES will be activated progressivelyinto the different levels of Education. The timeto initiate the Education in the various levelswill be decided by UNESCO. The modalitiesand the content of the Education in the variouslevels will be elaborated and decided byEURONETRES. The University level educationwill be the first to come in action, because theother levels need larger number of specialists to educate the educators.

A. University Level Education

A.1. Undergraduate courses on RESTaking into account the differences in knowledgesneeded in the various University Departments(Department of Engineering, Department ofSciences, Department of Economics, Depart-ment of Social Sciences, etc), it is necessary tofacilitate the responsible Departments to adoptthe appropriate content of their courses to RES.The opportunity will be given by the elaborationof the program of studies followed by text booksCDs, elaborated from the working groups (eg.basic knowledge, solar energy courses, biomassenergy courses, the economics and social aspectsof RES, the environmental aspects of RES, etc.).The responsible professors and other teachingstaff in a Department have to adopt theEURONETRES material as a minimum for theirstudents.

Advantages from the Adoption of the Undergraduate EURONETRES Education• The students who have passed the examination

in a specific course, prepared by the Working Groups, will obtain a specific Certificate of 2nd

cycle by the Department. This Certificate will be valid for all the Universities participating in the EURONETRES. Thus, among other things, the students will be facilitated in their mobility within EURONETRES Universities (stimulation of cooperation and mobility).

• The Engineers or other scientists who obtainedtheir diploma from their University and in parallel have earned a number of Certificates

on RES, will have the advantage to find moreeasily a job related to RES.

• Other advantages for the Universities to adopt the common rules for such Certificates,are coming from the fact that there are normally very few Universities that can offer courses for ALL THE RES, so, if they participatein EURONETRES, their students can collect Certificates in different disciplines (Solar, Wind,Geothermal, Hydro, Biomass Energy and also Economic, Social and Environmental aspects of RES) from other Faculties /Universities participating in EURONETRES (accredited Certificates).

• Another very important advantage is that the Diploma holders can participate in a specialization (retraining procedure) on RES, collecting Certificates from different EURONETRES Universities and so, they will create new opportunities to find jobs as specialists. That will be valid not only for EUROPE (the job creation is stemming from the targets adopted by the E.U. towards RES), but also worldwide.

• The EURONETRES Universities are expected to accept many engineers and other Diplomaholders from other parts of the world, to be specialized on RES.

• Moreover, students who have obtained one or more Certificates and their normal Diplomaand wish to continue their studies for a M.Sc degree will be more easily accepted in a EURONETRES University.

A.2. Postgraduate Education on RESAn assessment, made under the initiative ofUNESCO/ROSTE, showed that there are only a few (2–3) cases in Europe, where there are pure Postgraduate studies, in the level of MASTERon RES. On the other hand there is a hugedemand, already established, from private companies and research centers for highly specialized engineers and other scientists ondifferent sectors of RES. This demand willbecome higher and higher in near future. A higher demand is expected also in the developing countries and in the InternationalOrganisations dealing with RES.

The wish of UNESCO, adopted from EURONETRES, is to elaborate and to adoptcommon rules and common content of 126


studies at a HIGH LEVEL. Only those Depart-ments which are able to fulfill the rules andrequirements and dispose the necessary facilities for one or more postgraduate studies inspecific disciplines of RES (Solar, Wind, etc) willbe accepted to the common effort in EURONE-TRES.

The Working Groups will elaborate dynamiccurricula and the requirements needed for eachdiscipline (Solar, wind, etc.).

The Postgraduate Diploma (Master) given froma Department under the common rules andconditions, will be equal for all the Universitiesof EURONETRES. The Departments wishing toparticipate in EURONETRES but do not fulfill allthe requirements concerning the teaching staff, the Practice and Laboratory facilities, can elaborate and present a cooperation agreementwith other Departments, by visiting professorsand research laboratories in the same countryor within other countries.

The Working Groups will evaluate the demandsfrom the departments and will propose to theExecutive Committee of EURONETRES for thefinal decision. The evaluation of the studentsand their final examination will be done underSTRICT RULES, that the Working Groups willelaborate and the Steering Committee will adopt,in order to guarantee the objectivity about themerit of the Master of Science or Diploma. The Diploma of MSc will be awarded from the Universities concerned, but will be accompaniedwith a separate Certificate from the ExecutiveCommittee of the EURONETRES and so the MScDiploma will be equivalent in all WORLDNETRESmembers.

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Science Forum 2004Jürgen Schmid • Renewable Energy Research and Education Network

Introduction

Increasing global energy consumption and theuse of fossil fuel to cover most of this demandas shown in Fig.1 leads to an increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere withpossibly dramatic consequences on our futureclimate. The correlation between the rising figures of consumption and the CO2 content asgiven in Fig.2 underlines this tendency clearly.But this is not the only risk of our current energysystem: The scarcity of our resources comesimmediately into our focus, if instead of a staticestimation as normally done and as shown inFig.3 the future exponential growth of energyconsumption is taken into account. Consider-ing this assumption, the cumulative reserves including uranium, which are already exploredtoday will be exhausted after 56 years as givenin Fig.4. But what is even more severe is thefinding that, under the assumption of futuregrowth, even ten time bigger reserves would befully exhausted after another 70 years as shownin Fig.5.

Due these circumstances, a radical change ofour energy system is without any alternative,and today renewable energies are to becomethe only major source of energy in future. Therehave been developed many technologies in thisfield. To the end of a wider development, however, the lack of information exchange andthe lack of education is seen as a big barriertoday. It is the purpose of the initiative, whichwill be presented here, to overcome the problems mentioned above, the basis will becentred around the realisation of appropriatenetworks.

Existing Networks in Renewable Energies Research and Education

To begin with a very successful network, theGerman Association on Solar Energy Research(FVS), will be presented. It consists of eight

Renewable Energy Research andEducation Network

Jürgen Schmid

FVS/Institut für Solare

Energieversorgungs-

technik – ISET e .V.

(Germany)

[email protected]

129

Figure 1Global Energy Situation and Trends

Doublingin 14 Years

(5%/a)

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Coal

NaturalGas

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(hydro poweret.al)

nuclearOthers

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research institutes or centres which are shownin Fig.6. This association covers research innearly all fields of renewable energies and re-presents about 80 % of the German researchcapacity in this area. Besides cooperation, theFVS is organising annual conferences on select-ed research subjects.

In the European area, the EUREC Agency re-presents 20 research centres and ten universities.This network has already started a very success-ful initiative in the sector of education, namelya Master course in Renewable Energies providedby seven leading universities. Fig.7 shows adescription of the consortium. The students ofthis Master course, which have done their specialisation in hybrid systems in Kassel, areshown in Fig.8 together with some teachers. As a second network, the European Academyof Wind Energy is shown in Fig.9 and Fig.10.This network consists of four European researchcentres and seven universities performing academy research and education equally.

On a global level, the International Institute forRenewable Energy (IIRE) has been created in2002. It represents a network of universities andresearch centres from Australia, Canada, France,Germany and Thailand. The coordinating institute is the School for Renewable Energy atthe Naresuan University in Pitsanulok, Thailand.

These networks can be seen as a sound basis for a wider and more systematic informationexchange and educational activities on a globalscheme. The proposal to establish a renewableenergy information and education structure ona global scale can be seen as a result of the situation described above and will be presentedin the following chapters.

Setup of a Renewable EnergyInformation and EducationNetwork

Open University for Renewable Energies(OPURE)There is a lack of information on actual researchresults, on the application potential, on eco-nomic figures etc. on all levels. This situation istrue for Germany, but even more for Europe as well as for countries outside of Europe. Ingeneral this problem may be characterised asfollows: There is very much information existingtoday but access to this information is difficult.For there is no systematic procedure of suchaccess and the quality of such information iswidely scattered. As a consequence effort andmoney is wasted by doing research on subjects,already performed by others, by delays in product development or its proper use, and bysetting up wrong legal framework due to a lackof appropriate and up to date information.

On the other hand, new technologies in the ICT sector can provide a powerful tool to a fast,interactive exchange of information to an un-limited member of users. Such a platform couldbe realised with a small budget or even be integrated into the existing ”Bildungs-Server”of the German BMBF (Federal Ministry for Education and Development). The remaining130

Figure 2 (above)Growth rates for population, energyconsumption and CO2

concentration in theatmosphere

Figure 3Range of fossil energy resources;source: OECD

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world energyconsumption

population

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problem is to organise the collection, thereview, the grading or certification of the infor-mation and the provision of education materialin a systematic way. Since it is expected thatsuccess of this initiative will heavily depend onits proper functioning in the initial phase, amulti-step process in the build-up is proposed:

• In a first step, which is the subject of the current proposal, this structure will be set-up in Germany. Languages of the material will be German and English.

• In a second step, the structure will be extended to Europe. For this step it is planned to seek for a support from the European Commission. Translation of information material into different languages will need to be provided in this phase.

• After successful implementation of the second phase, the system will be extended to global coverage with a special emphasis on developing countries. In addition to translation of languages, the transformation into different cultures will need careful adaptation of the information material and, as a consequence, the involvement of professionals from the anthropological, psychological and pedagogical sector.

Organisations of the Review Committees

For each subject and for each level (scientific,school-level or professional practitioners’ skills)a committee will be organised, which will evaluate the information and education material

in the same way as is traditionally done in highlevel, peer-reviewed scientific journals. As a consequence the process for scientific materialis identical, which means a full text reviewincluding interaction with the author by at leastthree peers. Regarding education material, the level and quality of information, includingECTS-credits, will be classed by the review committees. As it is tradition in the scientificcommunity, all committee members will act on a voluntary basis free of charge, but theirnames will be shown in the editorial sector.

131

Figure 4Range of the well-known energy reservesfor a constant growthof the energy con-sumption of 3%

Figure 5Range for a decuple ofthe well-known energyreserves for a constantgrowth of the energyconsumption of 3%

Figure 6Members of the German Solar EnergyResearch Association

Energy Reserves Energy Consumption

growth 3% p.a.well - known

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Energy Reserves Energy Consumption

growth 3% p.a.

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well - known

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Bernhard Milow

Gerd Eisenbeiß

Joachim Luther

Rolf Emmermann

Michael Steiner

Martha C. Lux-Steiner

Rudolf Hezel

Jürgen Schmid

Oliver Führer

Thomas Schott

DLR German Aerospace Center

Plataforma Solar de Almeria

FZJ Research Centre Jülich

ISE Fraunhofer Institute for Solar

Energy Systems

GFZ Geologic Research Centre

Potsdam

HMI Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin

ISFH Institut for Solarenergy

Research Hameln

ISET Institut for Solar Energy

Supply Technology

ZSW Centre of Solarenergy- and

Hydrogen-Research


Since the presentation and discussion of thebasic structure of the proposal during the Science Forum on the Renewables 2004 Conference in Bonn, many stakeholders haveexpressed their interest to support or to participate in the proposed initiative.

Supporting Public Institutionsin Germany

For Germany the following institutions haveoffered support:1. BMWA – Dr. Knut Kübler2. BMU – Dr. Wolfhart Dürrschmidt3. BMVEL – State Secretary Matthias Berninger

(tbc)4. dena – Stephan Kohler5. DBU – Dr. Wulf Grimm6. FVS– Dr. Gerd Stadermann and

Dr. Gerd Eisenbeiß

Participating Institutions in Germany

7. ISET– Jürgen Schmid8. Universities:

Kassel, Magdeburg, Berlin, Oldenburg9. Technical Colleges:

FH Berlin, Aachen, Hamburg, Biberach, Internet-FH

European Institutions

• EUREC-Agency – Didier Mayer(10 Universities, 20 Research centres)

• European Academy of Wind Energy –Jürgen Schmid(7 Universities, 4 Research Centres)

• KFPE-Switzerland – A.-C. Clottu Vogel

Global Institutions

• International Institute for Renewable EnergiesThailand (4 Universities, 3 Research Centres)

• UNESCO GREET-Programme, Paris

Organisation of the Programme

• General Coordinator: ISET, Kassel• Coordination of scientific committees:

FVS, Berlin• Coordination of membership:

University of Magdeburg• Coordination of education for professional

practitioners (vocational education) DBU, Osnabrück

• Coordination of schools• Coordination of hardware infrastructure:

ISET, Kassel• Coordination of European actions:

EUREC-Agency, Brussels• Coordination of Global actions:

UNESCO GREET-Programme, Paris

Figure 9European Academy ofWind Energy

132

Figure 7 (left)Research Centres andUniversities of EURECAgency

Figure 8 (right)Participants of theEUREC Master Course2004

Figure 9Member Institutes ofthe European Academyof Wind Energy


Work Programme

1. Building of a management team (one secretary, one scientist, one ICT technician)

2. Formation of the review panels3. Set-up of a flyer and homepage explaining

the target and content of the initiative4. Hardware realisation5. Organisation of annual meetings for all

programme participants and supporters

Review Committees

1. Rational use of energy 2. Systems analysis and scenarios3. Resource assessment for solar, wind, hydro,

biomass, geothermal4. Solar buildings5. Thermal collectors and systems6. Solar thermal electric power systems7. Photovoltaics8. Wind energy systems9. Hydro power plants10. Marine energy systems11. Biomass energy systems12. Geothermal systems13. Storage devices and applications14. Hybrid systems and minigrids15. Social aspects16. Grid design and grid management17. Economics of renewable energies

AoU

Univ. of Kassel

Univ. of Patras

NTUA

DUWINDUniv. Delft

RISØ

ECN

ISET

CRES

DHI

DTU

133

135

Panel Discussion

• Opportunities and Necessities of Research and Education

Science Forum 2004

IntroductionIn the animated and strong panel discussionthe different subjects of the conference daywere summed up and different points of viewwere outlined.

In particular, the requirements for internationaleducation, training, and future research programswere thoroughly discussed. In this context, thecontribution of research institutes should beconsidered carefully, because they are of vitalimportance for an advanced development.

Another topic of the debate was the issue, inwhat manner cooperations should be organized,what topics should be treated in networks, and what financing instruments can be providedto arrange such vital structures of cooperation.

The issue of cooperation, i. e. to operate in aglobal perspective with regard to research and education, represented the focus of the discussion. In order to achieve a sustainabledevelopment, to promote renewable energytechnologies and to create capacities in devel-oping countries successfully, the OECD countriesneed to contribute their share both in trainingof researchers and practitioners as well as in thebasic research and the development of applica-tions. In both fields, developed and developingcountries must collaborate closely.

The question of how to organise this kind ofcooperation basically means how to promoteresearch and education. Necessary networksand urgent needs for public support were vividlydiscussed as a possible answer. Today, there arealready tendencies to establish far reaching networks in order to generate and distributeknowledge for the promotion of a sustainabledevelopment; for the organisational form of

network structures allows to combine coopera-tion and competition in order to enhance the topefficiency of research and development. Thediscussion culminated in the promising outlookthat these networks may be an innovative andmore effective type of international institution – a conclusion that matches with the announce-ment of the political declaration of the govern-mental delegates of the Renewables2004 towork together within a global policy network inthe near future, that will include all differentsectors of stakeholders.

Consequently, the lively panel discussion offeredfar-reaching results and clearly provided, on thebasis of a thorough discussion, opportunitiesheading for the further development of renew-able energies, thus fulfilling the expectationsraised in the forefield of the event.

Therefore the participants of the panel discus-sion deserve my very special thanks for theircommitted contributions to the current debate.

137

Panel Discussion

Martha C. Lux-Steiner

FVS/HMI (Germany)

[email protected]

Panel Discussion1

Opportunities and Necessities ofResearch and Education

1 The statements of the speakers are adapted for the print by the editors. The messages are those of the speakers, the wording isrevised editorially.

Science Forum 2004Panel Discussion

Discussion

Lux-Steiner:I want to start with the introduction of the participants of the panel: On my right side is Dr. Hermann Schunck, representing the FederalMinistry for Education and Research. He holdsthe position of the director general of thedepartment for basic research, transport, andaerospace research. Next to him is Dr. John M.Christensen, head of the UNEP Research Centre.Dr. Christensen performs a special task in thefield of renewables. He is head of the Secretariatof the Global Network on Energy for SustainableDevelopment. Next is Hans-Josef Fell, memberof the German Bundestag and spokesperson onresearch and technology of the Alliance ‘90/The Greens parliamentary group. The next person is Prof. Didier Mayer. He is acting as thepresident of the EUREC Agency. And last butnot least Dr. Osman Benchikh, responsible forthe energy and renewable energies at theUNESCO, he is head of the research activities.

Necessary Future Actions

Lux-Steiner: I think you have heard a lot of general state-ments and I would like to start the discussionwith the question if we will be able to realize all those activities and action plans. What doyou think are the achievements by 2010?What is the most important achievement foryou, your organization, or your country?I suggest everybody gives a short statement.Starting on your side, Osman Benchikh. Themost important but only one.

Benchikh:Research and development must accelerate thecost-cutting process. Costs going down for theend users may be the most important develop-ment to provide more people with an affordableaccess to modern energy. This is somethingthat can be feasible, it is not impossible. Realis-tically this can happen, if market developmentwill be connected to research and development.

As representative of UNESCO I would like toadd to that R&D goal the aspiration to haveimproved partnership and cooperation by 2010not only in R&D. The North has developedresearch and centers of excellence which canhelp to improve the situation of the people in the South. UNESCO is aiming to use R&D asa tool for sharing the natural resources on aglobal scale. In this context we should under-stand sustainability as solidarity between theNorth and the South.

Mayer: I will only complement what Osman Benchikhsaid. As a representative of the Europeanresearch, at least our members in EUREC, I willstart with a remark on research budgets forrenewable energies. In the last 30 years wehave had a decrease by a factor of at least threeto ten in the research budgets of the renewableenergies, as Prof. Luther has shown earlier thisday. It is really important to recover this level.Those budgets must be applied to renewableenergies and not distributed allover what wecall new energies, like for instance CO2 seques-tration, which is an important technology. Wehave to keep our budgets. It is now and not in 50 years that we have to build the future forthe next 50 years, we have to start now.

138

Osman Benchikh

UNESCO

[email protected]

Didier Mayer

EUREC-Agency

[email protected]


Regarding education we have already started. It is no simple task to organise a collaborationof European universities, but EUREC has madethe first steps in the field of renewable energyresearch and training and has built somethingthat works. After having developed a strongbasis, the next steps will be to use our experience and to expand our collaboration inother continents.

Fell: The worldwide demand for energy is increasingrapidly, and it cannot be met by fossile or atomicenergy sources. Renewable energy systems arebadly needed.

Two years ago, the German Bundestag receivedan independent and scientific report telling thatthe oil reserves are decreasing. At the moment,we can observe the high oil price as result ofscarce resources in relation to the extraordinaryhigh demand particularly of the Southeast Asiancountries, picking up in their development. In the next decades, more developing countrieswill increase their demand for energy. As apolitician, I have to react to those global devel-opments, otherwise we will end in a crash ofworld economy. And the industrialised countrieswill be hit hardest.

There are no other energy sources in questionwhich could possibly cover the rising demand,at least nuclear energy could do that. Andtherefore we have to change to a renewableenergy system. We have to introduce the existing technologies like windmills, like biogas,and others like geothermal energy.

And we need also a big research offensive tocreate new technologies. There is a huge rangeof possibilities, but we have nearly no researchmoney for this. In the past 50 years, 80% of public funds for energy research went intonuclear research on fission and fusion. Nuclearenergy covers today 5% of world energydemand. The investments in nuclear power arethe biggest flop in research history. Only 2 or3% were given to renewable energies in the last50 years worldwide, resulting in covering 12%of the world energy demand.

If politics increase continuously our budgets forrenewable energy research, we will soon reacha 100% renewable energy system. And this isthe most important target because of climatechange and the world running out of oil.

Christensen: It is very difficult to come after this kind ofpolitical statement. I agree with all the previousspeakers on what I would call the big picture.But I may be urged because my world is mainlyon issues in developing countries. It is importantto emphasize that the growth in consumptionwill mainly come from the developing countries.Right now, there is a very big political pushwith a G7-report and a number of other initia-tives that say: “Renewables are very good forthe developing countries”. And I agree they are.But renewables need to be implemented inOECD countries to realize extent initially. Thepolitical push for renewable energies has tocome from the OECD countries.

You have to introduce those technologies indeveloping countries very carefully. For, you geta very negative reaction from countries whichare basically interested in energy, not necessarilyrenewable energies, but energy for develop-ment, if new technologies are introduced anddo not work properly or cannot meet the rising expectations. So, it is important that theOECD countries take the lead also in actuallydoing what they preach.

And then it is important to make the link. Itneeds to come in a realistic manner otherwisewe risk to hand over several things too earlyand to have a backlash. We have seen a lot ofsuccess stories on role expectations using Photovoltaics, but there is a lot of failure also.They can deliver a little power, maybe lightingor something on a very small scale. So, if youoverrate it once it is very difficult to convincepeople and come back later. Renewable energiescan contribute to resolve energy access prolemsin developing countries, but they need the pushfrom the OECD countries and they are not thesole solution. So, you need to do it in the rightway. That is the main message that I would liketo come up with.

139

Hans-Josef Fell

EUROSOLAR

[email protected]

John M. Christensen

GNSED/UNEP

Risoe Centre (Denmark)

[email protected]


But I agree on the principles and targets and soon, but to be realistic, what can be done: If I just take my own little angle from the positionwhy I am here, from the Global Network onEnergy for Sustainable Development which istrying what was proposed in the closing session:We can and we should link together regionalcenters of excellence in developing countrieswith European and Northamerican centers andtry to work on common themes and developingthis kind of sharing of experience, mainly onpolicies so far. I think there is a lot of room fortechnologies and a lot of other areas to do thesame.

Schunck: I am trained as a mathematician, not as a physicist. I am an engineer. Prof. Lux-Steinerput a precise question forward, and I am tryingto give two answers. As I said, I am trained as a mathematician, so I am giving an answer asmathematician.

I hope that in two or ten years or shortly afterthat some of those exponential learning curves, giving the correlation of costs per unit energyand of installed renewable energy capacities(from which experiences and learning will follow), will reflect the increasing investmentsin research and development and the improvingcompetitiveness of renewable energies in themarket. Now, my second answer I can notrefine from politics. I hope that the problems wehave ahead of us can resolved in a peacefulenvironment. And that takes – and now I goback to the first speaker – solidarity.

Global Cooperation in Research

Lux-Steiner: After having heard these short statements I want to come back to the presentations oftoday and I would like to ask the panelists: Do we really need a global perspective forresearch and development in the energy field?We have heard the provocative statement thatindustrial countries have their task in doingadvanced research studies and while develop-ing countries’ research needs to be rather application oriented. And they should cometogether. So I want to ask Osman Benchikh,what do you think about this statement?

Benchikh: I do not think that we really seriously have tomake this distinction. Obviously, the Southneeds the North and the North needs the South.And there is a need for more solidarity betweenthe North and the South. The term sustainabledevelopment is meaningful, but very general.We need to be more specific if it shall have significance for real international developmentassistance. Therefore I already proposed tounderstand sustainability as solidarity. We haveto promote solidarity among the various actorsfrom the North and the South.

The field of renewable energies offers a trueoption for a peaceful development. For theSouth is a region that needs to share knowhow, while technology and knowledge is nowmainly based in the North. Hence, the Southpresents new opportunities to apply innovationsfrom the North.

Schunck: It comes down to one question: On a globalscale, there is roughly speaking a situation inwhich the North has high-tech and the Southor the developing countries have the adaptedtechnology. It is necessary to transfer as fast aspossible technologies and high-technologies to highly qualified Third World developingcountries of the South.

However, we should be very careful. I was verymuch impressed by the lecture of MongameliMehlwana who presented the equation Renew-ables = solar PVs = energy of 2nd choice =ruralapplications = poor people. That happens if wedo not give taxes to high technology as fast as possible and as intensive as possible.

Christensen: Just adding to the last comment: First of all it isimportant to have, like Mongameli Mehlwanawas saying, a more differentiated understandingof what the North and the South is. Becausethe South is very many different things. If yougo to Brazil, India, China you have quiteadvanced technologies and policies especially in renewable energies. They are even in front of European countries in some areas.

140

Hermann Schunck

German Federal Ministry

for Education and Research

[email protected]


On the other hand, in many developing coun-tries the situation is a completely different one.Regarding the presentation of Prof Schmid,proposing an open internet-based university topromote training in renewables in developingcountries, we really need to understand the localconditions that we talk about. We must notcome with a preconceived idea about “This isgood for you, because I think this is good foryou”. We rather need to understand what thelocal conditions are and what the right tech-nology for that particular need is.

If that match in what we talk about works out,it is a little partnership. That bridge is not verydifficult to get across. If, however, you comeand think we know what the right technologyis, it is very difficult to communicate that kindof information gap on technologies. So, it is thekind of partnership approach which will help to explore which are the right technologies.

Fell: I agree on that last point. The North or theindustrialised countries have the research basisand the industries to develop those technologies,therefore it is their task to develop affordableand cost-effective renewable energy technologieswhich are competitive in energy markets. However, it has to be checked if, for instance, five mega watt offshore windmills are the righttechnology for the South. It has to be analysedexactly what the needs of the South are.

Developing countries mostly need low techno-logies adapted to their capacities to research,develop and produce them on their own. Tothis end, the education process for capacitybuilding must have two directions in general:first, the North has to learn what the Southneeds, and second after having funded anddeveloped basic research potentials in the Norththe education must be application oriented inthe South.

This education process can be organised throughan open internet-based university as proposedby Prof Schmid. A such university can contributeto knowledge sharing between the North andthe South. The North can learn about the South’sneeds and provide the South with knowledgeand technology already available, while the South

can learn about the technological opportunitiesand adapt them to their needs and capacities in an application oriented manner.

Building Human Capacities

Lux-Steiner: It was mentioned that we need education ofexperts on all levels. Especially in Germany, forinstance, I can say we have a lot of PhD studentswho finished their thesis and maybe less than50% find a job in the field of renewables. Onthe other hand, we learnt that the South hasnot enough human resources. So, I want toask Didier Mayer how we have to deal with thisproblem.

Mayer: I agree with you that this is a very difficult problem, but I would say in France we have notthe same as we have not so many PhD-studentsthat are interested in renewable energies. This is a day to day business to welcome them. I already said in my presentation that it was avery important job to find or to create someemployment and jobs in the field. Otherwise itis nonsense to educate people in this field. But I was talking about the European level. All kinds of energy are well distributed all over theindustrialized countries – the normal energypowerplant and so on, which is not the case forrenewable energies, which are not distributedequally. Some different countries are betterplaced to give employments. So that is why I have talked about the European level which certainly offers enough job opportunities and a fairly high demand for engineers in renewableenergy technologies all over Europe.

141


Regarding the students from developing countries studying in Europe we face anotherproblem than the lack of job opportunities: the brain drain. They stay in Europe – they donot go back. The problem in our case was toeducate them to go back and apply their know-ledge in the developing countries. So wethought about adding a collaboration to wel-come them perhaps for only one year in Europebut to leave them in their universities. So wecan educate them and keep them in their homecountries at the same time. We try to to createa scheme in order to train the trainers for theeducation process like the Master and even thethesis afterwards. To create education schemesand to create the trainers in their own countriesmeans to build local capacities for educationand training. Because otherwise there will bealways the possibility for those students tocome to Europe and then to organize to stayhere and not to contribute to the local develop-ment in their own country. This is a problem,obviously, shared by all developing countries.We have to develop solutions for this problem,and one good solution is to go in their placesand train the trainees in their own countrylocally.

Christensen: I just add a little bit to that, because I agreevery much to that. One additional angle, whichwas the other part of my work for quite a longtime, maybe the inner research in developmentinstitutions. For, if you look at the political declaration here in the draft which is availablenow, for instance, research is meant to be ontechnologies and business models but not ondevelopment work. We talked a lot aboutresearch and research funding and so on. Whenyou really look at what is done in the develop-ment agencies, research is almost a sort of forbidden word in many of them. I think some-time ago the Swedes had something called theSwedish agency for research cooperation wherethey were organizing this kind of partnerships.This was one of the very few development assistance agencies that actually had a specificresearch focus at the time. It has now beenrolled in into SIDA and disappeared, though itis partly there. But there are very few institutionsand agencies that have a dedicated focus onresearch. So, it is an important message that if

they really want to follow up on the declaration.They also need to put research into the kind of development work that they want to fund.

Benchikh:In fact I raised this issue this morning: theregions where you have the largest potentials of renewable energy resources are the regionswhere you find the least capacities for reseachand development and training. In order toreverse that experts from the North have toassist in the South to train the trainers withinthe bilateral cooperation, as Didier Mayer proposed it. This cooperation with the South iseven necessary for Europe to reach the adoptedtarget that 12% of the energy supply shallcome from renewables by 2012. Without theSouth Europe will not manage to have enoughrenewable resources.

However, not only in the South humanresources are lacking. The North lacks expertsthat have full knowledge on the different formsof renewable energies. Most of the experts arespecialised in one area, but we are in need ofexperts with a broader know how and know-ledge on the different forms and technologiesand on, for instance, the economic part of theintroduction of renewables.

The approach of a European Master degree iscontributing to bridge that gap. However, thereis no need to multiply the different Masterdegrees, for in the end that would be lesstransparent and could be a barrier for renewableenergy experts to enter the market.

Global Research and Development Networks

Lux-Steiner: Actually, I would like to ask how this R&D shouldbe organized and also how do you think canthese experts be included. Today I have heardmany ideas of networking and I want to insertinto the following question: Is networking compatible with intellectual properties? I seethat high technology research activities aremostly done in closed groups. So what is theadvantage of networking?

142


Mayer: The advantage of networking has been stressedby Prof. Joachim Luther in his presentation. The mechanisms in question were coordinationversus fragmentation. It means, what is thebenefit of coordination and what is the benefitof competition? And the answer on it is: Weneed both, it is very important to have a kind of coordinated competition. Competition isalways something really important as new ideasare emerging and competition creates room for new ideas.

But we need also coordination. There are different debates going on all over Europe howthe budget of the different member statescould be more coordinated in order to increasethe efficiency. Because figures tell that Europeas it comes to the European Union’s budgetplus the member states’ budgets reaches thebudget of the United States or of Japan. But theefficiency seems to be less because there isresearch on the same questions supportedtwice or three times in different member states. So the crucial question is: How can we coor-dinate this competition between the differentmember states in order to increase the overallefficiency of R&D. I have no answer. This isanother good wish for the ten years coming, I would say. For this is really an important topic.Coordination means to enter the policies ofmember states, which is very touchy, competitionreaches as far as the autonomy of the memberstates. Optimally, competition shall instigateactors to innovate and give opportunities tolaunch inventions while coordination shallorganise this process more efficient and avoidraces that destroy valuable and scarce publicresources Both is a question of governance andmanagement.

Lux-Steiner: In Germany there have been some activitieswithin the last five years, especially networkingbetween research centers and universities. And I would like to ask you, Dr. Schunck, what is your opinion about the results?

Schunck:May I first go back to your former question. Ithink we all want renewable energies to becomecompetitive in markets. If that is so, we needpeople that are knowledgeable in using them.Therefore we need to educate people and weneed to disseminate knowledge. I think theremight be a stress situation between intellectualproperty and cooperative networking, but it isinevitable. Because in the end we want compa-nies to be successful with products in markets.But these markets have to be created first. Andif people in the South are not able to buy some-thing, to apply things and to use things thereare no markets. So in a certain way we needthat networking towards the other side to cometo a better sustainable development. And if wedo not do that, I think we might end in applyingwhat a famous British author once said to Eastand West “Never the train shall meet”. We couldrefer this to North and South if we are not reallycareful and try to organize technology transferand to organize knowledge transfer. The settingup of networks is the best what we can do. I was really impressed by the idea of Prof. JürgenSchmid in his last talk, proposing an open internet-based university. That is a really practicalthing, we should talk about.

Christensen: The network I am representing deals with policyanalysis, which includes intellectual propertyrights in that area. At least the experience wehave so far is that the “cross knowledge”, basedon comparative policy analysis, is really veryvaluable both in terms of North-South andSouth-South. It has a rather strategic value thana technological one for which intellectual property rights are applicable. For you can sitand analyse the problem and then you cancome up with some kind of theoretical solution.But if we actually see that something hasworked in Brazil and understand why it hasworked, what elements are transferable toanother region, if it is relevant for them, and 143


then pick it up there, it is much stronger thansomebody coming with a mere theoreticalargument of how to do it.Hence, you can come out with a very strongmessage on policies, if there is a strong networkbehind it with, for example, ten developingcountries and ten industrialized countries. Ifthey come out with a such common messagesaying “These are the overall results looking at virtually all subregions in terms of how itworks”, you come up with a very strong politicalmessage, also in terms of pushing the policyagenda.

For you really have to insist to reach the policymakers and start cooperative networks. It couldbe wonderful if you can get people to initiate to have a such look at that kind of technologycooperation as a long term thing where youcreate the markets by being more open in thebeginning, because otherwise you are notgoing to move anywhere.

Fell: If we want to have a real change in the promo-tion of research and education programmes inthe world for renewable energies we have tolearn from other areas of energy. The Interna-tional Atomic Energy Agency is some decadesold. Nearly every country of the world givesmillions of dollars every year to finance it, andthey organize education and research for atomicpower. It is a huge and powerful institution.Nothing comparable exists in the world forrenewable energies. Therefore we need a simi-lar agency. The World Council for RenewableEnergy held a big conference in the last threedays here in Bonn. They made a call for anInternational Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)to organize the know how transfer in the world in education programmes, in researchprogrammes, in programmes to bring the bestpolitical instruments to the countries and muchmore. Therefore we have to organize a processleading to the setting up of IRENA.

Now, I want to ask you Dr. Schunck as repre-sentative from the German Federal Ministry forEducation and Research, which helped toorganise this conference: Would it be possiblethat Germany takes a leading role in the financing and in the follow up process for a

such organisation like an open internet-baseduniversity or anything else comparable?

Schunck: That is a question put forward to me. I wasalmost afraid you would ask me whether I couldbe able to give you an answer regarding theInternational Organisation – I could not do that.But I tried to listen very carefully to what wasput forward today. And it was really very inter-esting, especially the last lecture – this very precise proposal of Jürgen Schmid was the climax for me. Now, I can do as much as sayingI would be very happy to take this back hometo our ministry and take a very good look atsuch a proposal. You know there are questionslike that you have to finance techniques andmake sure that you do not double something,which perhaps is already there. You have tolook at things like that before, but I would bevery optimistic that if we meet a year from nowwe could say we started it here.

Fell: Thank you very much.

Christensen: These are very positive news. I have just twopoints applicable to a couple of things.

The first one is, I also liked the presentation thatwe have heard before. Maybe one caution is,there has been quite a lot of initiatives after theworld summit 2002 creating relatively big internet set up portals, but we have alreadytalked about that before. Though they soundvery reasonable, this is the same caution as withsome technologies. I mean you are talkingabout target groups where the access to inter-net is quite weak in many cases. That needs to be done in a way that the people you are targeting can access. So do not make it too fancy.Because when you are sitting on a very slowconnection in Guadeloupe, you have absolutelyno chance opening even the front page. Therehas been quite a lot of talk about internet portalsfor the Least Developed Countries. But it is acontradiction in terms. They have connectionsso poor, but we do not realize it. Nevertheless,the idea is good, it has nothing to do with that.

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My second point concerns the making of IRENA.You make something what I call a logical leap inthe argument: Because we had that for nuclearwe need to have this for renewables. But thingshave changed since, and maybe there the decisive question is: With the new communica-tion technologies and networking and all theother things, do we really need an agency? Justbuilding up an agency like a UN-agency takesfive to ten years. And if there are other ways ofacting – I do not know, I am asking the question– are they more efficient and effective? Is thereactually another way to do the same thing,which would be more efficient and gets startedquicker and can be built on somebody’s initiativethat is already there?

I do not know the answer. I would love to seean agency, but I am just worried that to keeptalking about only one solution, we may limitthe span of options. For we have talked aboutIRENA for about ten years. I was before Riotogether with Hermann Scheer in the SolarGroup for Rio and it has not moved since then.If it were happening, it would be a great idea.But I am not so optimistic on that. Maybe talking too much about it prevents other thingsfrom happening. That is why I am worried,although I am not against IRENA.

Fell: To discuss the foundation of IRENA one has tounderstand it in historical terms. In comparisonthe International Atomic Energy Agency wasfounded in a process starting with only tennations. They did not ask the United Nations forallowance. It is not the realistic way to bring allnations of the world together. That foundationprocess will probably take some 20 years. Forthe time being we just need to start the processwith, for instance, ten leading nations, providethat agency with funds, and five years later therewill be hundred nations to join in the process.

Then we will have a law for this agency, a lawparticularly for renewable energies instead offossile or atomic. For those are the basics whenthe International Energy Agency comes up witha statement. Therefore we need to organise astanding alone process for renewable energies.

Lux-Steiner: I would like to come to another issue. Actually it is now the period of writing road maps, thereare road maps for almost all nations as well ason the European level. In this context there hascome the time for advisory boards. So, I wantedto ask you: Do we need international advisoryboards? How many do we need and howshould they be organized? This is a question for you, John Christensen – I think you havesome experience?

Christensen: I think that is a bigger scale than what I amworking on. Mine is more modest. It would benice if there were some of the recommendationshere for some kind of stakeholder work or forum.I do not disagree that to have an organisationin a somehow institutionalised form would beof great benefit. I am just wanting to move iton. And if we can move it on in a pragmaticway it will be very important.

Because it is important that something comesout of these big meetings and summits, what I have called “care the ball”, whatever the ballis. It is important that we have some kind of setup, that we have a message to take from hereand keep working on it. If it is possible to set upthis kind of agency with a limited number ofcountries that could be one option, a sort ofmultistakeholder forum, for instance, that was also discussed at the ninth session of theCommission for Sustainable Development(CSD-9), which was focussed on energy. Theproposed International Science Panel onRenewable Energy could be another option.I think it is important for the message comingout, that there is some kind of specified follow-up, and then you can discuss the details, termsof reference and so on, when you move on. Butif we leave here at the end of the week withoutany kind of follow up apart from that we meetfor the CSD in 2006 and 2007, it will be likeany other major meeting that recommended anaction plan but in fact had no action.

Benchikh: One of the major problems to launch renew-able energies is what the policy changes requirefrom the decision makers. These people are inneed of information and advice. An international 145


advisory council, or what form it may ever take,can provide advice and promote a change in mentalities. This change of thinking is only possible through education. Education with aninternational background is today the only education to promote that change in awarenessand understanding. An additional argument is that the switch to renewable energies makesnecessary an adaptation of the people, of our-selves, to the new form of energy. To conclude,I believe a such body is absolutely needed, andthe proposal that has been made this morningis clever and will work out.

Now I am coming to the question of foundingan agency. The intention of an eventual inter-national agency for renewable energy is to createan institutionalised body promoting renewableenergy for the reduction of poverty. However, if such an agency is to be founded it has to betied in some organisational form to the UN-system, otherwise it will just be another bilateralinitiative not acting on a global scale. I am notsaying I am for or against a such agency, butindeed it is necessary to change something in

order to reach out to the people, raise theirawareness, and provide the infrastructure orother preconditional resources needed fordevelopment.

Fell: The crucial question of creating an internationalagency is not to build it with or against the UN. The question is how to exceed the pace ofnormal UN-processes. The agency should becreated in an open process, always consultingwith the UN. Although to speed up the processa combined effort by some nations willing totake the lead and the UN – the UNESCO mightbe the most appropriate UN organisation –

should be made. They should found somethinglike a network of universities, a network ofresearch centres, or an internet university, orsomething comparable. This process will instigatea process with the UN-system. So the processwill neither include nor exclude the UN but the UN will be part of the process. That is whatcounts.

Financing for Research and Development

Lux-Steiner: Ok, let us move to the next topic: money, orthe financial resources. The trend in researchand development expenditure is going down.Industrialised and developing countries aremainly differing in their financial capacities. My question is based on the statement SigurdWagner made today, that by the year 2013 wedo not need any subsidies anymore, for instancein photovoltaics. What would you suggest todo? Wait and see how the learning curve isgoing down, maybe not so fast if we do nothave research and development? Should wewait or can we find private investors? Or shouldwe push the market launch of renewable ener-gies, following the German model of feed intariffs, which is a very costly alternative? Howare we supposed to manage this?

Schunck: It is very easy to say we need more research. Ofcourse we do. But we do not decide ourselveshow much money we get. I am a bureaucrat –Hans-Josef Fell is the member of parliament –we are organising processes to get money, butbudgets are scarce today.

Some speakers have made a very importantremark today. The steady support is important,the continuity of funding instead of somethinggoing up and down. Sigurd Wagner did not saythat in ten years from now all by itself there will be no more subsidies necessary. There is a shortage of money that has to be paid inbetween. We have to organise a stable supportsystem, we have to organise markets, perhapsin the way of the much debated renewableenergy law in Germany. It creates a market,which would not have been developed by itself,and we know we need to introduce that tech-nology. The much we have to develop new146


technologies or try to be careful that our scopeof technologies that we pursue is broad enough,we might miss something that – only in yearsfrom now we will understand – is interesting andimportant.

Creating markets, in the end, is most important.There are some examples how that can bedone in this country with – and I pass that toHans-Josef Fell if he wants to explain it – therenewables energy law.

Fell: To explore the question how to promote theintroduction of a sustainable energy systembased mainly on renewable energies, we haveto look at the whole chain from mostly publicfunded basic research to private industrial application-oriented research to market launch.And the whole chain has to be supported. Forto set incentives for private investments inresearch there has to be a market. If, however,more actors enter the competition for the besttechnology in the market the overall effects ofthe research process will improve.

Apart from that we have to explore the marketas well. Photovoltaics are already today com-petitive without subsidies, not only in 2013.On a global scale the half of the regional marketsfor photovoltaics work without subsidies. Photovoltaics generate the cheapest electricityin African regions where no grid is accessible.

In fact, the research process and the incentivesin markets to invest in research and renewableenergies are interlinked in feed back loops. Ifwe achieve to speed up the cost cutting process,renewable energies will be more competitive in markets without subsidies and attract moreinvestments, which will speed up the wholeprocess of research and market launch of newtechnologies and hence the switch to renew-able energies.

Benchikh: I want to add to what Mr. Fell has said, that taking the point of view of developing countriesI would not even call it a subsidy. I will call itsocial solidarity, equality among the populationin the same country. The example of Spain andthe Spanish islands may illustrate that.

It is well known that to get the electricity on an island it costs more than in the mainland.Nevertheless the price on the islands is thesame as in the continent. The price of electricityon Teneriffa is the same as in Madrid. For a single reason: it is social equity and equality.This shall be done and applied for renewableenergies, too. Why do we have to call it a subsidy when it comes to renewable energies?No one calls it a subsidy if the costs for pro-duction in other energy areas like nuclear energyare compared, though full-cost accounting of all external effects shows something else.

Mayer: In order to link the research and educationprocess to the private sector and the needs ofthe market EUREC Agency is in connection to all European industrial associations. We arestarting a discussion and preparing a positionpaper on the short, medium, and long termneeds, looking at the demands of end users aswell as market opportunities. This coordinationof research and industry is necessary, for theprivate sector is much more focussed on theshort and medium term while basic researchhas a long term perspective. It is particularly the task of research centres to make out opportunities for renewable energies today and to analyse long term perspectives. So theresearch has to bring in what is not yet in themarket, but only the consultation betweenresearch and industry can produce strong posi-tions, that can be communicated and introducedto policy makers.

Actions and Commitments

Lux-Steiner: Unfortunately, we are runnning out of time now. So, before we finish the discussion I would liketo have a short statement of each panelists:What will be their own contribution in the nextfew years?

Schunck: I gave my answer already. Thank you.

Christensen: Maybe I did so, too. But since I have my thingup I will just point out one thing, I hope to do.Regarding the statements on photovoltaics in 147


Africa, I hope that I can help get rid of some ofthese myths, because it is basically not what ishappening. There are very isolated projectswhere you can do this, where photovoltaics arethe cheapest and most competitive technologyfor energy access. But as a general statement: Itis one of the things that create misconceptionsabout what the renewables can do. If you lookat South Africa, ESKOM has to pay the wholeinvestment just to make it run as a programme.Photovoltaics have high upfront investmentcosts, hardly affordable for the poor. For thetime being the use of renewable energies mustincrease in industrialised countries, thus bring-ing down the costs and making them moreaffordable for developing countries.

I hope really that we can get rid of some ofthese myths and overrated expectationsbecause it has got to be the way forward forrenewables in order to provide energy for sustainable development and to provide thepoor in developing countries with access tomodern energy in the long run.

Fell:Instead of announcing what I will do to promoterenewable energies, I would like to raise what I need to be proactive. I need the scientificsupport of the research community. You do not imagine how much weight your word hasin the political arena. Policy makers perceive scientists as most highly qualified. The researchcommunity has to demand the funds forresearch in renewable energies. For there hasbeen research in fusion technology for fiftyyears now, and they continue to receive theirpublic funding, however, there are nearly noprogrammes worldwide for renewables research.And there will not be any if the research community do not demand public funds forrenewables research. Furthermore, the scientificcommunity has to demand from policy makersto change. It is not sufficient to spend moneyfor research without putting in place the researchresults. To generate new knowledge does notchange the world, we have to act on what weknow. To phrase it with Erich Kästner: ‘There isnothing Good except You do it’. Only then wemight succeed one day and create a sustainableenergy system.

Mayer: As I already mentioned earlier the work plan of EUREC Agency includes a discussion betweenresearch and industry leading to a positionpaper that shall help to increase budgets forrenewable energies. On the other hand my par-ticular responsibility is in the field of education.We will continue on our path and will extendour activities, for instance by contributing as much as possible to the internet academy proposed by Prof. Schmid. The internet is one way to reach out to a greater number of people,however, this action has to be paralleled byexisting initiatives. For the physical meetingsand the availability of test facilities are stillimportant. Either those facilities will be used inEurope or, as already pointed out before, thosefacilities have to be built up elsewhere. Thisbrings me to the question of financial resourcesfor funding. Just very briefly: Since financialresources are very scarce nowadays, actionshave to be as efficient as possible, so we have todesign the education capacities to be built upvery carefully before.

Benchikh: First of all I would like to thank the organisers of this excellent meeting which gave opportunityfor an exchange of ideas and concepts thatwere missing in the field so far.

UNESCO welcomes the different ideas that havebeen brought forward in the discussion and willconsider cooperation with the proposed agencyor network that will deal with science, techno-logy, and education.

To conclude, I would like to express my hopesthat we will see within this decade more know-ledge sharing and thus more solidarity in thefield of renewable energy.

Lux-Steiner: I would like to thank all the panelists and givethe floor to Prof Jürgen Schmid, who held thescientific responsibility for the organisation ofthe Science Forum.

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Annex

• International Open University for Renewable Energies (OPURE)

• International Organisations Concerned with Energy Issues

• Press Conference

• Press Release

• List of Participants

• Member Institutes of the Solar Energy ResearchAssociation (FVS)

• Photographic Credits

• Imprint

Science Forum 2004

One of the major results of the internationalconference for renewable energies in Bonn isthe initiative for an International Open Universityfor Renewable Energies (OPURE). The memoran-dum of the World Council for Renewable Energy(WCRE) of their conference, 29th to 31st May,Bonn, renewed the proposal, originally stemmingfrom EUROSOLAR, at the World RenewableEnergy Forum, held in Bonn in the days beforethe renewables2004, and put it in the focus ofattention.

During the renewables2004, the Solar EnergyResearch Association (ForschungsVerbundSonnenenergie, FVS) organised the ScienceForum, funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF), as an official side event. In the final panel discussion Hermann Schunck, representative of the BMBF,indicated, when approached by the chairpersonof EUROSOLAR Germany Hans-Josef Fell, thewillingness of Federal Minister Edelgard Bulmahnto financially support the start up of the uni-versity for renewable energies.

This was an important signal, initiating manytalks and activities during the Bonn conferencein order to start the foundation process. The initiative mainly came from FVS’s vice spokesmanJürgen Schmid, director of the Institute for Solar Energy Research (Institut für SolareEnergieforschung, ISET) in Kassel, MoP Hans-Josef Fell, chairperson of EUROSOLAR Germany,and Osman Benchikh, UNESCO, Paris.

Fortunately, the Call for Actions of the renew-ables2004 responded immediately and acceptedto include OPURE in the International ActionPlan, one major outcome of the internationalconference.

The name OPURE stands for Open University for Renewable Energy. This name indicates that

the university will be organised initially as aninternet platform. The long term goal, though,is to transform the internet university into anordinary university. Most important mission ofthe university will be generally speaking: theexchange of know-how, education and training,and networking of renewable energy research.

All national as well as international institutionscan be participating actors, particularly thosewhich are universities, research centres, andinstitutions specialised in renewable energyresearch.

For the time being, the foremost task of OPUREwill be to organise the exchange of information,communication and cooperation in science andresearch for renewable energies. At the centreof activities will be training programmes on all levels of education, translated in as manylanguages as possible, programmes for researchand development, the exchange of results ofmost recent research as much as the develop-ment of national strategies and policy tools forrenewable energies.

Thus, the Bonn conference signalled other Governments, the private sector, and NGOs tocontribute to the financing of OPURE.

Under the roof of UNESCO’s active support to coordinate individual activities soon and global acceptance will be achieved.

Now, it is necessary to elaborate a realistic concept for which the BMBF will provide the funds as promised. A such concept will be worked out by and in the responsibility of Prof Schmid and the FVS in the next weeks.EUROSOLAR will continue to actively supportthat process.

Nationally as internationally the idea hasreceived great attention. Many institutions,

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Hans-Josef Fell/Gerd Stadermann • OPURE

International Open University for Renewable Energies (OPURE)

Gerd Stadermann

Secretary Manager


Association ( FVS)

[email protected]

Hans-Josef Fell

Chairman of EUROSOLAR

Germany and Member of

the German Federal Parlia-

ment

[email protected]

Science Forum 2004Hans-Josef Fell/Gerd Stadermann • OPURE

universities, or other educational organisationshave already stated that they were interested to participate in OPURE, approaches have beencoming even from China and Brazil.It is remarkable that the German parliamentarycommittee for education and research hasmade the decision to support OPURE in theirfirst session immediately after the renew-ables2004 and that all parties agreed on this question unanimously. And last but notleast, this decision proves that the proposals of EUROSOLAR and of the FVS receive wide support from all sections of society, in politicsand science.

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Science Forum 2004International Organisations

AFREPREN ( SF chair Kithyoma)African Energy Policy Research NetworkNetwork of more than 100 energy researchersin Africa who conduct technological research aswell as policy research to provide policy makerswith information and recommendations.Leading actor in GNESD for the subject ofaccess to energy.

BEEBundesverband Erneuerbare Energien/German Renewable Energy FederationLobbying for renewable energies, coordinatingactivities of members, providing policy makerswith expertise and studies on renewable energies.

CENERG ( SF speaker Mayer)Centre d’ÉnergétiqueConducting research on the environmentalimpacts of human made technologies of energysupply and conversion.Belongs to École des mines, Paris.

CRS ( SF speaker Hamrin)Center for Resource SolutionsIndependent research institution. Fosteringhuman capacity building for sustainable technologies and international leadership insustainability to meet economic, environmental,and cultural needs. Disseminating knowledge,promoting demonstration projects.

CSIR ( SF speaker Mongameli)Council for Scientific and Industrial ResearchConducting research on the context of labour,environment, and man, and disseminatingknowledge. (South Africa)Member of GRA.

DAADDeutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst /German Academic Exchange Servicepromotes financially and in various programmesthe exchange of foreign academic staff and students coming to Germany and German academic staff and students going abroad.Funded by German Federal Government.

DLRDeutsches Zentrum für Luft- undRaumfahrt /German Aerospace CenterConducting research among others on thermalsolar power, fuel cells, and system technology.Member Institute of FVS.

ERCEnergy Research CentreConducting policy research, consulting policymakers, building human capacity in Africa.Member institute of GNESD, and other international cooperations.

ERECEuropean Renewable Energy CouncilUmbrella organisation of European renewableenergy industry and research associations, as forexample EURECA.

EREFEuropean Renewable Energy FederationBuilding a network of renewable energy producers and raising awareness in Europe.Lobbying for feed-in systems, labels on electricity, levelling playing field.Cooperates with UN organisations and Europeanorganisations devoted to renewable energies.

ESMAPEnergy Sector Management Assistance ProgramComprising all particularly energy focussed activities of the Worldbank.Belongs to the Worldbank.

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International Organisations Concerned with Energy Issues

– Science Forum– connected with


EUEIEuropean Union Energy InitiativeAims to eradicate poverty and to promote sustainable development focussing on the roleof energy. Disseminates knowledge. Buildscapacity. Develops strategies. Works throughpartnerships with civil society, private sector,financial institutions, end users.Secretariat within the EU Commission’s DGDevelopment, Type II partnership of the

WSSD. Funds coming from partners. Cooperates with NEPAD, GVEP,GNESD, UNDP,UNIDO Energy Initiative, GFSE

EUREC Agency ( SF speaker Mayer)European Renewable Energy Centres AgencyDisseminates knowledge, fosters contacts andcooperation between the scientific communityand the industry as well as policy makers, develops strategies for R&D. Manages projects,promotes professionalisation of education andtraining. Cooperation of renewable energy R&Dcentres in Europe.

EURONETRES ( SF speaker Kyritsis)European Network on Education and Trainingin Renewable Energy Sources.

EUROSOLAR ( SF panellist Fell)Lobbies for renewable energies as basis for asustainable development and for the mitigationof climate change. Produces studies, raisesawareness.

Forschungszentrum JülichResearch Centre JuelichMember Institute of FVS.

Fraunhofer ISE ( SF speaker Luther)Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy SystemsMember Institute of FVS.

FUE Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung/Forum Environment and DevelopmentAwareness raising for environmentally sustain-able development.Association of German development NGOs(VENRO) and German Nature Protection Circle(DNR), funded by the German Federal Ministryfor Economic Cooperation (BMZ).

FVS ( SF speaker Schmid, Luther, Lux-Steiner)ForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie/Solar Energy Research AssociationCoordination and cooperation of research onrenewable energy technologies in networks inGermany.Research association of nine independentresearch institutes carrying out research onrenewable energies.

GEFGlobal Environment FacilityProvides funds for environmental projects indeveloping countries, focusses under its climateprogramme on renewable energies. Partnerswith private sector, promotes market-orientedsolutions. Aims to reduce costs, where highinvestment costs might hinder long term-developments of new technologies.Founded atthe UNCED. Run by Worldbank, UNDP,

UNEP, which are the implementing agencies.

GEPROP ( SF speaker Curbelo)Gerencia de Programas y Proyectos Priorizadosdel Ministerio de Ciencia, Technologia y MedioAmbiente

GFSEGlobal Forum on Sustainable EnergyMultistakeholder platform for dialogue. Supportsnetworks of donors, holders of technologicalknow-how, project promoters from developingcountries. Organises events, conferences, annual meetings.Cooperates with EUEI. Funded by Austrian Gov-ernment.

GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum PotsdamMember Institute of FVS.

GNESD( SF chair Christensen, SF speaker Pacudan)Global Network on Energy for SustainableDevelopmentNetwork of 20 academic institutions of highexcellence in the field of energy. Major foci onenergy access and renewable energy. Promotesresearch on those topics, coordinates, buildscapacity.

UNEP funds GNESD secretariat.154



GRA ( SF speaker Luther)Global Research AllianceInternational research alliance of nine know-

ledge-intensive technology organisations fromindustrialised as well as developing countries.Aims to use resources of members efficiently inorder to produce knowledge to the benefit ofsociety at large. Energy is one of the researchtopics among others.Independent research association.

GREET ( SF speaker Benchikh)Global Renewable Energy Education and Training ProgrammeAims at training and education, and dissemi-nation of information at global, regional, andnational level. Develops ways of financing, and raises awareness.Programme of UNESCO.

GTZGesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit /Society for Technical CooperationGerman Organisation which carries out technicaldevelopment assistance of the German FederalGovernment. Supports renewable energies andenergy efficiency through capacity building,developing markets, disseminating knowledge,building of networks of relevant actors, andstrategic consulting/analysing energy policies.Cooperates with private sector (public privatepartnerships), EUEI, GVEP.

GVEPGlobal Village Energy partnershipPromotes coordination of energy developmentprojects in developing countries, managingrelations of different actors.Originally funded by Worldbank and UNDP, in the meantime independent, secretariatdecentralised at the moment.

HMI ( SF speaker Lux-Steiner)Hahn-Meitner-Institut BerlinMember Institute of FVS.

IEAInternational Energy AgencyAgency of the OECD for all energy concerns of OECD as well as developing countries, notparticularly for renewable energies.Belongs to OECD.

IFEUInstitute for Energy and EnvironmentConducting research on different environmen-tal topics.

IIRE ( SF speaker Rakwichian)International Institute for Renewable EnergyDevelops human resources globally (capacitybuilding), facilitates research on renewableenergies and disseminates information on them(knowledge sharing) in order to meet the needsof a successful implementation of renewableenergy technologies.Six founder universities, cooperation with/funding supposed to come from various inter-national organisations.

IÖW ( SF speaker Hirschl)Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung/Institute for Ecological Economy ResearchCombining economic and environmentalresearch questions, developing strategies for asustainable economy, and providing expertiseon evaluations of urban, transport and businessdevelopments.

IPCCIntergovernmental Panel on Climate ChangeInternational scientific panel, which elaboratesregular updates of conclusions on the know-ledge about climate change and recommendsnecessary action. Independent scientific panel.

IRENAInternational Renewable Energy AgencyProposed originally by the Brandt-Commissionin their North-South-Report, 1980. In analogyto International Atomic Energy Agency, in orderto support the technological transfer and dis-semination of renewable energy technologies indeveloping countries, and to develop markets.German Bundestag decided that the FederalGovernment should take the initiative to foundan IRENA.

ISFH Institut für SolarenergieforschungMember Institute of FVS.

ISET ( SF speaker Schmid)Institut für Solare EnergieversorgungstechnikMember Institute of FVS. 155



ISESInternational Solar Energy SocietySupporting the advancements of renewableenergy technology, implementation, and education, to the benefit of sustainable development, a multisectoral global community. Disseminating knowledge and connectingactors in the field of renewable energies.Collaborates in international networks.

ISUSI ( SF speaker Lehmann)Institute for Sustainable Solutions and InnovationsProviding expertise in eco-evaluations and the elaboration of scenarios for the transition toa completely renewable energy based energysystem.

JRECJohannesburg Renewable Energy CoalitionFirst international leadership initiative, foundedat the WSSD, consists of approximately 80countries (EU and Small Island States), commit-ted to promotion of renewable energies for a sustainable development and to stop climatechange.Secretariat at the EU Commission, Bruxelles.

REEEPRenewable Energy and Energy Efficiency PartnershipImplementation-oriented initiative, which works through knowledge sharing and match-making of different partners whose resourcescomplement each other.Funded by UK, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, EU.

SEFISustainable Energy Finance InitiativeProvides information, develops partnerships,facilitates networks. Organised by UNEP.

SERT ( SF speaker Rakwichian)Solar Energy Research and Training Centre,Thailand

SESAM ( SF speaker Rehling)Sustainable Energy Systems and ManagementInternational MSc course for the promotion andimplementation of sustainable developmentstrategies.Partnership with UNDP/Nepal.

UNCEDUnited Nations Conference on Environmentand Development3 till 14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro:

UNFCCC, Rio Declaration on Environmentand Development (raises the significance of the complementarity of human developmentand environmental sustainability), Agenda 21 (blueprint for (local) action towards global sustainability).Belongs to the UN-system.

UNCSDUnited Nations Commission on SustainableDevelopmentFounded at UNCED to monitor and report onthe follow-op process on local, national, regional,and global level. Organising sessions annuallyto particular topics of sustainability. The 9th

session, 16 – 27 April 2001, was on energy, andestablished an Ad Hoc Inter-Agency Task Forceon Energy for coordination and cooperationamong UN agencies and programmes. Belongs to the Division on Sustainable Deve-lopment of the United nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

UNDP ( SF speaker Pacudan)United Nations Development ProgrammeOrganises the technical development assistanceof the UN, supposed to coordinate developmentassistance within UN-system. Improves accessto modern energy as a means of poverty reduc-tion, considers sustainability goals throughenergy efficiency, renewable energy, low green-house gas-emitting technologies.Belongs to the UN-system. Programme statusimplies that UNDP’ funding depends on donations, no independent regular funding asan organisation has. Implementing institutionof GEF.

156



UNEP ( SF speaker Pacudan)United Nations Environment ProgrammeSupposed to promote coherent implementationof policies regarding the environment withinthe UN-system. Works through analyses, disse-mination of information, fostering internationalcooperation, providing policy advice, and serving as a link between scientific communityand policy makers. Focusses on sustainable useof natural resources and the protection of theenvironment for a better human well-being.Belongs to the UN-system. Funded by the Environment Fund, made up of voluntary con-tributions. Launched the SEFI, implementinginstitution of GEF.

UNESCO ( SF speakers Benchikh, Erdelen)United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationPromotes environmental research, free dissemi-nation of information, and education for all as a means to human development and peace,protecting cultural and natural heritage.Belongs to the UN-system. Independent fundingas status of an organisation.

UNFCCCUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeNegotiated at the UNCED, amended by theKyoto-Protocoll 1997.

UNIDOUnited Nations Industrial Development OrganisationSupports development of industrial capacities,and of cleaner and sustainable developmentBelongs to the UN-system.

WBGUWissenschaftlicher Beirat der BundesregierungGlobale UmweltveränderungenScientific Council of the Federal Governmentfor Climate ChangeExpert group to the German Federal Governmenton questions of global change regarding envi-ronment and development. Regular reportswith conclusions and recommendations foraction and research.

WCREWorld Council for Renewable EnergyAnalyses potentials of and barriers to renewableenergies, and disseminates information on bestpractices. Lobbies for policies to introducerenewable energies.Secretariat at EUROSOLAR.

WERCPWorld Energy Research Co-ordination ProgrammeProposed by the WBGU, in analogy to WorldClimate Research Programme. Shall coordinatenational research activities, and provide consulting. Possibly established within the UN-system.

WIWuppertal-Institute for Climate, Environment,EnergyExploring and developing strategies and modelsfor a sustainable development on local, national,and international level. Conducting research onthe interrelation of society, environment, andeconomy, in order to decouple the increase ofwealth and the exploitation of natural resources.

Worldbank (IBRD)International Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopmentEnergy is part of the infrastructure vice-presidency, though there all over the Worldbankpeople concerned with energy topics. The environmentally sustainable access to modernenergy for the poor is the goal, not particularlythe transition to a renewable energy system.Since there is no particular energy department,the Worldbank has established ESMAP.Implementing institution of GEF.

WSSDWorld Summit on Sustainable Development26 Aug till 4 Sep 2002 in Johannesburg.One of the major outcomes was the recognitionof “type II partnerships”, which comprise partnerships with the private sector. These partnerships may promote private investmentsin the development process and organise itcloser to free markets. Four bigger energy-related partnerships: GVEP, GNESD, EUEI, REEEP.

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Science Forum 2004

158

International Organisations

WWIWorld Watch InstituteResearch organisation. Works for social andenvironmental sustainability, provides information in order to encourage newlifestyles, investment patterns, and policies. Promotes renewable energies.Independent NGO.

ZSWZentrum für Solar- und Wasserstoffforschung/Centre for Solar and Hydrogen ResearchConducting research in key technologies offuture industries, like photovoltaics, battery /fuel cell technology, renewable fuels, energysystems.


The Solar Energy Research Organisation/ForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie (FVS) haspublished a press release in cooperation withUnited Nations Educational Scientific and Cul-tural Organization (UNESCO) and the GermanFederal Ministries for Research and Education(BMBF) and for Environment, Nature Protectionand Nuclear Safety (BMU). (See page 161).

Participants:

Science Forum 2004Press Conference

On the 1st of June 2004 the FVS organized a press conference with the participating organisations to present the science forum tothe public.

159

UNESCO Walter Rudolf ErdelenAssistant Director-General for Natural Sciences

BMBF Hermann SchunckMinisterialdirektor/Head of theDepartment Research

BMU Rainer Hinrichs-RahlwesDirector General

FVSJürgen Schmid, ISETResponsible for the scientific programm of the Science Forum

Press Conference

Science Forum 2004Press Release (June 1st 2004)

Sustainable future only withR&D on renewable energies

Sustainable development is inevitably connectedwith Research and Development (R&D) onrenewable energies. Therefore, the Solar EnergyResearch Association (ForschungsVerbundSonnenenergie) is hosting a Science Forum inthe context of the renewables 2004 conferencein Bonn (Germany) on the 1st of June. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schmid, scientific manager of theScience Forum, emphasises: “Research anddevelopment enable cost reductions, and theyare pre-requisites for access to modern energyand for poverty reduction. The renewableenergy technologies have to be adapted to thediverse conditions of the countries in the world;and the knowledge about the utilisation ofrenewable energies must be made availablethrough a world-wide education process.”

Energy R&D needs a global perspective

R&D are pre-requisites for the evolution ofglobal civilisations towards sustainability in itsvarious aspects: New technologies have to be developed. For existing renewable energytechnologies cost reductions have to materialise. Addditionally, sociological and economic issuesfor integrating renewable energies into energysupply structures have to be investigated andtaken into account. Country-tailored approachesare therefore an essential element of researchplanning.

Research requirements have to be well-analysedin respect of time and place. For some countries,

it might be beneficial to work primarily on the adaptation of existing technologies to localneeds. For some countries it appears to be ad-vantageous to develop novel high-technologies.BMBF strengthens renewable energy researchDr. Hermann Schunck, head of the DepartmentResearch at the German Ministry of Educationand Research (BMBF), states that the BMBFstrengthens renewable energy research by sup-porting basic and applied research in science,engineering, economics, social sciences andother areas. BMBF supports multidisciplinaryresearch on renewable energy sources by funding National Research Centres and projectnetworks. Dr. Schunck underlines the need foradditional targeted research and developmentwith particular emphasis on affordability and reducing cost, on innovative business andfinancing models and on cost-effective, consumer-friendly cost-recovery models, recog-nizing that different renewable technologiesoffer different opportunities and face differentconstraints.

Education of experts on all levels

For a successful deployment of renewable energies, education and training is a key ele-ment. There is a lack of appropriate educationalmaterial, in developed countries as well as in developing countries. By means of moderncommunication structures, it is possible toimprove information transfer and education in this field very efficiently.

During the Science Forum existing initiativeswill be presented and discussed. Recommen-dations on the set-up of an international 161

Press Release Partner:

UNESCOBMUBMBFFVS

Press Release

Research and Education as a Basis forthe Wide-spread Deployment ofRenewable Energies


network in research, education and training will be discussed.

UNESCO fosters EducationNetworks to build up capacities

In 1997 the UNESCO established the “GlobalRenewable Energy Education and Training”(GREET programme) which aims at improvingthe use, maintenance and management ofrenewable energy projects and programmes, as well as transfer of technological know-how.Beside UNESCO the international organizingpartners are UNDP and the European Commis-sion, as well as institutions and organisations at the national and regional level.

Prof. Walter Rudolf Erdelen, UNESCO AssistantDirector, states: “To achieve the MillenniumDevelopmental targets, UNESCO will continueto advocate for renewable energies, capacity-building, and development of competenthuman resources with emphasis on improvingthe living conditions in rural areas of poorcountries, especially in the developing countriesand small Island States, particularly for women,young people, and girls, and facilitating the

extension of learning opportunities. In the years2004 – 2005 the UNESCO’s GREET programmewill involve the design and field implementa-tion of training platforms, elaboration and dissemination of learning and teaching tools,the introduction of training programmes at thevarious educational levels, the establishment of educational standards and the certification of centres of excellence, which will serve as acatalyst. Concurrently, support will be given tothe formulation of national energy strategiesand experimentation of pilot projects aiming at developmental purposes.”

According to Erdelen, the UNESCO has alsolaunched the European Network on Educationand Training in Renewable Energy Sources(EURONETRES) established as a regional voluntary framework, uniting universities andother educational academic institutions of theEuropean countries, interested in capacitybuilding at national and regional level for theextended use of RES in Europe as well as in other regions of the world. Similar regional networks for Africa, Latin America and theCaribbean region as well as other regions areplanned to be launched during the currentbiennium 2004 – 2005. In conclusion, Erdelen heads the following call:“UNESCO invites all Governments and concernedinstitutions to joint efforts and partnership forthe implementation of this initiative related tothe human resources development and net-working. Furthermore we aim at enabling actorsin this specific area to share investment costsfor research and education as well as outcome.”

BMU strengthens communication link betweenscience and politics

Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes, Director General withinthe German Federal Ministry for the Environment(BMU), announces that the BMU will strengthenrenewable energy research: “At present theresearch programme comprises annual funds of EUR 65 million and is aiming at driving thehigh level of technological innovation in thephotovoltaics, offshore wind energy and con-centrating solar power stations. The support162

Figure 1Public R&D Budgets of23 IEA member coun-tries for selected fieldsof energy relatedresearch

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 Year

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0

Power & Storage TechnRenewable EnergyNuclear Fission/FusionFossil Fuels

Only 10% of the energy-related expenditure was spent on renewable energies, while about70% was spent on nuclear fission and fusion. The overall energy R&D expenditure peaked in1980 and has continously been declining to less than half its maximum level since then.Source: IEA Energy Technology R&D Statistics Service


focuses on projects carried out by private enterprises and academic institutions as jointventures, and on accompanying socio-ecolo-gical research, in order to sustain the use ofrenewable energies. Environment and climatehave one thing in common with the sciences:national borders become more and moremeaningless.”

Furthermore Hinrichs-Rahlwes adds: “It isimportant that the political implementation of a sustainable energy system with a steadilyincreasing share of renewable energies receivescontinuous support through independent scientific research and promoting awareness. It is essential to shift this scientifically basedknowledge into various options for action as a basis for policy-making bodies to adopt pre-ventive strategies and bring existing policiesinto line with new challenges. For that purposea global science network with a policy mission,an “International Science Panel on RenewableEnergy (ISPRE)”, composed of universities andresearch institutes, shall be established. The ISPREwill be charged with analysing and evaluatingglobal R&D activities in the field of renewableenergies. ISPRE shall be initiated at the confer-ence renewables 2004 aiming at manifold support from various institutions, with a smallsecretariat to set up the initial phase. Othercountries as well as research institutes are invitedto participate actively. This panel will functionas a vital link between the scientific communityand political decision makers.”

Active role of UN for a strategicresearch and development

R&D activities in developing countries arequite limited, and it is evident that only a smallnumber of the larger countries have real R&Dprogrammes on renewable energy technologiesin place. Thus it is necessary to build up R&Dprogrammes fostered by the UN including themany smaller countries that are in need ofrenewable energies but yet not able to invest in R&D. A strategic global fund for R&D onrenewable energies should be established per-haps within the UN system.

Alarming global trend in R&D expenditure From 1974 to 1998 in the twentythree IEA-Member countries only a 10% share of therespective budget was spent on renewableenergies, while about 70 % of the energy relat-ed expenditure was spent on nuclear fission and fusion. The overall energy R&D expenditurepeaked in 1980. Since then it has been con-tinuously declining to less than half its maximumlevel. (Fig.1 and 2)

Since less investment means less innovations,this global trend of cutting energy-related R&Dfunds is in clear contrast to the importance ofthe energy sector for evolution in general andespecially to the ever-rising importance ofrenewable energies. In order to give renewablesthe necessary support, the average direct stateexpenditure for R&D in the renewable energysector in industrialised countries have to increaseat least ten-fold until 2020. At the same time,significant international support must also bedirected to R&D in developing countries.

163

Figure 2Budgets of 23 IEA-member countries forResearch on Renew-able Energies

1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 Year

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0

GeothermalBiomassOceanWindSolar Thermal-ElectricSolar Photo-ElectricSolar Heating and Cooling

RD&D expenditure on renewable energies follows the trend in regressing overall RD&D expenditure on energy: It peaked in 1980 and has since declined to about one third of its maximum level. Within the overall renewable energy RD&D budget, biomass and photo-voltaics show a trend to rising proportions, while the other sectors remain on a constant orslightly decreasing relative level.Source: IEA Energy Technology R&D Statistics Service


Goals of R&D

Both non-technical and technological R&D onrenewable energies are essential for the evolutionof the energy sector towards sustainableschemes. The wide span of interrelated R&Dchallenges includes e.g.:• R&D on non-technological aspects

(economic, sociological, political)• R&D on renewable energies for electricity

production• R&D on renewable energies for the

production of heating and cooling energy• R&D on solar and energy optimised buildings • R&D on renewable energies for fuel

production• R&D on comprehensive technological aspects

In all these fields two main approaches must be followed: • New technologies have to be developed in

some areas. Three examples: biogenic-energy carriers for a decentralised supply of storable energy, low-cost energy efficient houses, storage technologies for high quality energy.

• Cost reductions for existing renewable energy technologies have to materialise. This includes:higher efficiencies of energy conversion, longer service life of technical components, less maintenance, less material consumption.

Renewable Energies needpolitically supported markets

Modern energy and its sustainable provision isnecessary for nearly all fields of development.Most renewable energy technologies are local,they can start locally based value chains, re-newable energies and related knowledge-basedservices generate income, improve the environ-ment as well as health situation, and foster education in developing countries. As suchrenewable energies help to reduce poverty andbuild up capacity. The Science Forum con-tributes to the development of a strategy howto produce new knowledge and how to dissem-inate it most widely in industrialized as well asdeveloping countries.

A significant time lag between R&D and marketlaunch must be considered. R&D on renewableenergies is therefore a strategic field of researchand industry policy which is inadequatelysteered and supported at present. Governancefollowing the logic of political management, on the one hand and self organised processesfollowing the logics of markets, on the otherhand must complement one another.

Internet based education

Properly managed, internet-based dissemination,education and training will provide a huge support for renewable energy deployment for arelatively small effort in budget and hardware.Internet-based education can be realized directlyby interactive procedures, but knowledgetransfer into different cultures may need specialpreparation in addition to simple translation. Based on modern IC-technologies, disseminationto an unlimited amount of users is possible. Itcan also be made affordable fore those havingno access to conventional educational materialssuch as books and journals.

Contact:Dr. Gerd StadermannFVS – Secretary [email protected]

Petra SzczepanskiFVS – Public [email protected]

164

Science Forum 2004Participants

Adeyeye, JosephApapaj Lagos, Nigeria

Agert, CarstenFraunhofer ISE/WBGUFreiburg, Germany

Alghari, AliMHEWSultanate of Oman

Alnaser, W.E.University of Bahrain/Arab Section of ISES

Al-Ghafri, Ali Bin HamedMinistry of Housing, Electricity & WaterRuwi Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Al-Salaymeh, AhmedUniversity of JordanAmman, Jordan

Argyropoulos, DanielBMU – German Federal Ministry for the Environ-ment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

Artashes, SarysyaEcoteam/CANCEE

Asmal, Osman

Astakhov, OleksandrFZ Jülich/Forschungszentrum JülichJülich, Germany

Azzawi-Steyrer, UrsulaBerlin, Germany

Backhaus, WolfgangUniversity AachenAachen, Germany

Badran, OmarAl-Balqa Applied UniversityAmman, Jordan

Baletlwa, TebaleboBotswana Technology CentreGaborone, Botswana

Bangoura, SediaIDEE-EuropeBonn, Germany

Ba-Omar, Taher A.Sultan Qaboos UniversityAl-Khod, Sultanate of Oman

Baptista, NganbajinaMinistry of Science

Barleben, CatrinTechn. University BerlinGermany

Bassam, N. IFEED International Research Centre for Renewable EnergySievershausen, Germany

Bayer, WolfgangDESTATIS Statistisches BundesamtWiesbaden, Germany

Bdaûos Ortega, Maria de FátimaUniversidad Nacional Agraria Nicaragua

Becker, ManfredKfWLohmar, Germany

Becker, Rolf W.ForumfinanzBonn, Germany

Benchikh, OsmanUNESCO

Beyer, WolfhardForschungszentrum JülichGermany

165

List of Participants


Bisseleua, HervéUniversity of GöttingenGermany

Blanco-Rosete, SergioUniversidad Autonoma MetropolitanaMexico City, Mexico

Blode, AndreasUniversity of Göttingen,Germany

Boehme, DieterBMU – Federal Ministry for Environment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

Bohn, AnnelieseBMBF – German Federal Ministry for Education and ResearchBonn, Germany

Boyle, GodfreyOpen UniversityMifton Key Nes, USA

Brinkmann, KlausUmwelt-Campus BirkenfeldGermany

Brinkmann, CorinnaUniversität DortmundIserlohn, Germany

Brudler, EvelynPPREOldenburg, Germany

Brüggemann, AnkeKfW BankengruppeFrankfurt /Main, Germany

Cach, Nguyen ThiHUE University of Agriculture and ForesityHue City, Vietnam

Camargo Castro, LucianaBarra da Lagoa, Brazil

Carius, ReinhardForschungszentrum JülichGermany

Catenhusen, Wolf-MichaelBMBF – German Federal Ministry for Education and Research Bonn, Germany

Cortez, LuisState University of Campinas – UNICAMPCampinas, Brazil

Curbelo, AlfredoInnovation and EnergyCuba

Christensen, JohnUNEP (UCCEE) – Collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment

Dalelo, AkliluKHC Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Davidson, OgunladeUniversity od Sierra LeoneFreetown, Sierra Leone

del Rio, AntonioCentro de Investigaerion en Energia VNAMTemixco, Mexico

de Padova, ThomasDer TagesspiegelBerlin, Germany

Dewelle, BrunoVentabren EnvironementVentabren, France

Dylla, ThorstenForschungszentrum JülichGermany

Doctor-Pingel, MonaAUROVILLEAuroville, India

Engel, TomiObject Farth SolarkonzepteStierhöfstetten, Germany

Engelhardt, UrsulaIDEE-EuropeBonn, Germany166


Engelke, Wolf-RuedigerCORE – Council for Renewable Energy in theMekong RegionPhitsanulok, Thailand

Erdelen, WalterUNESCO

Farabegoli, MarcelloUniversität PotsdamBerlin, Germany

Faureau, MathieuUNESCO

Fell, Hans-JosefEUROSOLAR, German Federal ParliamentBerlin, Germany

Fickinger, NicoFrankfurter AllgemeineBerlin, Germany

Fischedick, ManfredWuppertal InstituteWuppertal, Germany

Garche, JürgenZSW Ulm

Geiss, JanSD-Forum, University of Passau,Germany

Gerhards, ThomasBischöfliches Hilfswerk MisereorAachen, Germany

Mr. GetakenEthiopian Electric Agency (EEA)Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Goldenblatt, DanIsraeli Parliament (Knesset)Tel Aviv, Israel

Grob, GustavISEO – International Sustainable Energy OrganisationGeneva, Switzerland

Hackstein, DetlevFernuniversität HagenGermany

Hamrin, JanCenter for Research SolutionsSan Francisco, USA

Harms, MichaelDAAD Bonn, Germany

Hau, MelanieOffice MoP FellBerlin, Germany

Haut, AndreasGebrüder Laumans GmbH & Co. KGBrüggen, Germnay

Hemmers, RosaStadtwerke AachenAachen, Germany

Hermann, SebastianUniversity of OldenburgGermany

Herold, Andrew CMNAlexandria, USA

Heusch, BernhardCNRSBonn, Germany

Hinrich-Rahlews, RainerBMU, Berlin, Germany

Hirschl, BerndIÖW – Institute for Ecological Economy ResearchBerlin, Germany

Hoffmann, EstherIÖW – Institute for Ecological Economy ResearchBerlin, Germany

Holm, DieterGRA – Global Research AllianceSouth Africa

Hoystad, Dag ArneFriends of the EarthVollen, Norway

167


Huenges, ErnstGeoForschungsZentrum PotsdamPotsdam, Germany

Hussein, TarabeahTAESakitnih, Israel

Kafle, NarayanTribhuvan UniversityLalitpur, Nepal

Kanchanatawee, SunthornSuranaree University of TechnologyNaichton, Thailand

Karayanni, HabeebThe Galilee SocietyShefa-Amr, Israel

Karcher, HenningUNDPNepal

Kekelia, BidzinaTiblisi, Georgia

Khadem, Shafiuzzaman KhanUniversity of Dhaka, Renewable Energy Research CenterBangladesh

Kiefer, KirstinStadt Freiburg UmweltschutzamtFreiburg, Germany

Kimura, OsamuCentral Research Institute of Electric PowerIndustryTokyo, Japan

Kithyoma, WaeniAFREPREN /FWDNairobi, Kenya

Koch-Kraft, AndreaProjektträger-DLR, PT-UFBonn, Germany

Kohl, HaraldBMU – Federal Ministry for Environment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

Krauter, StefanUECE Fortalezza, Brazil

Krautkremer, BerndISET – Institut für Solare EnergieversorgungstechnikHanau, Germany

Krebuehl, JochenFairtrade Labelling OrganisationsBonn, Germany

Krell, KatharinaEUREC AgencyBrussels, Belgium

Krishna, JahagirdarUniversity of Agriculture SciencesDharwad, India

Kyritsis, SpyrosUniversity of Agriculture of Athens (A.U.A.)Athens, Greece

Lanser, WolfgangTechn. University Berlin, Germany

Laufer, DinoBerlin, Germany

Laurich-Oppermann, JacquelineFVS – Solar Energy Research AssociationBerlin, Germany

Lehmann, HarryInstitute for Sustainable Solutions and InnovationsGermany

Leon, AugustusAsian Institute of TechnologyPathumthani, ThailandLevin, LarryAmerican-German Business NewsBonn, Germany168


Li, FuquanInstitute of Ministry of Agriculture Biogas ResearchChengdu, China

Lieth, GeorgeZEF, University of BonnBonn, Germany

Linkohr, RolfMember of the European ParliamentBrussels, Belgium

Lins, ChristineEREC – European Renewable Energy CouncilBrussels, Belgium

Lokolo, Michel ClaudeEnergy MinistryYaounde, Cameroon

Lorenz, KarstenWilhelmshaven, Germany

Lorenz, StephanWilhelmshaven, Germany

Löwi, IlanaEmbassy of the State of IsraelBerlin, Germany

Lund, John W.Oregon Institute of TechnologyU.S.A.

Luo, ZhihinUniversity of GoettingenGermany

Luther, GerhardUniversity of SaarbrückenSaarbrücken, Germany

Luther, JoachimFraunhofer ISEFreiburg, Germany

Lux-Steiner, Martha Ch.HMI Hahn-Meitner-InstitutBerlin, Germany

Lwascabwamga, MulangalaAssemblee NationaleKinshasa, Congo

Mackenzie, GordonUNEP RISOE CENTRERoskilde, Denmark

Mahasin, AhmedUniversity of GöttingenGöttingen, Germany

Manarjan, SunilINWENT/ERCKathmanou, Nepal

Martinot, EricWorldwatch InstituteWashington, USA

Mathieu, FaureauUNESCO

Mayer, DidierEcole des Mines de ParisSophia Antipolis, France

Melomakulu, BoniDepartment of Science and TechnologyPretoria, South Africa

Mehlwana, MongameliCSIR – South AfricaCouncil for Scientific and Industrial ResearchSouth Africa

Memmler, MichaelInstitute of Forest and Environmental PolicyFreiburg, Germany

Mertens, MargitMedia Pressebüro FederstrichBonn, Germany

Milow, BernhardDLR, German Aerospace CenterKöln, Germany

Mohlakoana, NthabisengEnergy Research CentreCape Town, South Africa 169


Morishita, NaomiFrankfurt /M., Germany

Mulangala, NashaADWC – Action for Development of Women & ChildrenLondon, UK

Mwakasonda, StanfordEnergy Research CentreCapeTown, South Africa

Neto, Majens ManuelMinistry Science and Technology AngolaLisanda, Angola

Neupane, SurajUNDP/REDP –United Nations Development ProgrammeKathmandu, Nepal

Ngereza, Andrew JacobDar-Es-Salaam, Tansania

Niessler, FranzWien, Austria

Nishio, KenichiroCRIEPITokyo, Japan

Nitsch, JoachimDLR, German Aerospace CenterGermany

Nitzschke, MilanBundesverband Erneuerbare Energie e.V.Paderborn, Germany

Oishi, LilaBerlin, Germany

Oliphand, MonicaISES – International Solar Energy SocietyAustralia

Olivares-Hernández, RobertoUniversidad Jutónoma Metropolitana IztapalapaCivdad de México, Mexico

Pacudan, RomeoUNEP Risoe Centre, Risoe National LaboratoryRoskilde, Denmark

Pasch, GerdDeutschlandfunkKöln, Germany

Petrucci, FernandoWind GeneratorsBuenos Aires, Argentina

Phan-Hieu-HienUniversity of Agriculture and ForestryHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Piria, RaffaeleESTIF

Pitz-Paal, RobertDLR, German Aerospace CenterKöln, Germany

Plenkers, AntonMeerbusch, Germany

Pokhavel, GovindUniversität FlensburgGermany

Pottgiesser, UtaTU DresdenGermany

Precht, FolkertDt. Unesco-KommissionBonn, Germany

Proetel-Horst, DorisKönigswinter, Germany

Raab, MatthiasCAU KielHörstein, Germany

Rakwichian, WattanapongSchool of Renewable Energy TechnologyPhitsanulok, Thailand

170


Rathgeber, MeikeUnabhängiges Institut für UmweltfragenBerlin, Germany

Reinhard, MarcForum U+EBonn, Germany

Rehling, UweSESAM, Uni Flensburg, Germany

Rentzing, SaschaNeue EnergieOsnabrück, Germany

Reutter, OliverDLR, German Aerospace CenterKöln, Germany

Rónai, JuditEUROSOLAR HUNGARYSopron, Hungary

Roß, ChristophForschungszentrum Jülich Germany

Rosyid, Oo AbdulUniversity of MagdeburgGermany

Ruiz, A. CarlosUniversity of GöttingenGermany

Sahin, MustafaAnkara, Turkey

Salim, Sk. AbdusCMES – Centre for Mass Education in Science Dhaka, Bangladesh

Samper,Miren-MaialenSustainable DevelopmentDublin, Ireland

Samboré, YacoubaUniversität FlensburgBerlin, Germany

Sancho, SebastianLahmeyer Internatinal GmbHSerre, Italy

Sari, Rita KartikaBogor Agricultural UniversityBogor, Indonesia

Sargsyan, ArtashesNGO Ecoteam, CANCEEYerevan, Armenia

Sayigh, AliWorld Renewable Energy Network – WRENBrighton, United Kingdom

Schill, Wolf-PeterOffice MoP FellBerlin, Germany

Schiricke, BjörnDLR – German Aerospace CenterKöln, Germany

Schmid, JürgenISET – Institut für Solare EnergieversorgungstechnikKassel, Germany

Schmidthals, MalteUnabhängiges Institut für UmweltfragenBerlin, Germany

Schneider, RainerJülich, Germany

Scholz, HaraldEuropean Commission, DG JRCIspra, Italy

Schulte to Bühne, HelenaBMBF – German Federal Ministry for Education and ResearchBonn, Germany

Schulze, RebeccaBMU – Federal Ministry for Environment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

171


Schunck, HermannBMBF – German Federal Ministry for Education and ResearchBonn, Germany

Schwencke, TilmanOffice Member of European ParliamentBrüssel, Belgium

Seeber, DietmarEnergiebratung SeeberOsnabrück, Germany

Shaikh, Riaz AhmedUniversity of FlensburgGermany

Shirazi, AlirezaAria Energy Efficient Co.Teheran, Iran

Sick, FriedrichUniversity of Apllied Sciences/FHTW BerlinBerlin, Germany

Sill, DeborahOffice MoP FellBerlin, Germany

Sinhutswa, TheubaCity of Cape TownSouth Africa

Spence, ChrisInternational Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentNew York, USA

Staden, RianInternational Solar Energy SocietyFreiburg, Germany

Stadermann, GerdFVS – Solar Energy Research AssociationBerlin, Germany

Stead, GraceCity of Cape TownSouth Africa

Stein, ChristofBMU – Federal Ministry for Environment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

Steiner, MichaelHMI – Hahn-Meitner-InstitutBerlin, Germany

Steyrer, RobertBerlin, Germany

Süß, Anania Andy AnggrainiGadjah Mada UniversityJogjakarta, Indonesia

Szczepanski, PetraFVS – Solar Energy Research AssociationBerlin, Germany

Tampiko, HandaruIndonesia Institute of Technology Tanqerang, Indonesia

Tarabeah, HusseinTAEQ

Tasliman, TaslimanUniversity of JemberJember, Indonesia

Tastekin, SilviaEnergieseminar TU BerlinBerlin, Germany

Tuyen, Bui conuSESAMSustainable Energy Systems and ManagementFlensburg, Germany

Urban, RüdigerMinistry for Science and Research NRWDüsseldorf, Germany

van Sleight, PatrickINWENT/ERCCape Town, South Africa

Vajen, KlausISES – International Solar Energy SocietyKassel, Germany

172


Vega, Gil F. DelaDMMMSU-NLUCBacnotan, Philippines

von Peinen, MartinMvP SolarMainz, Germany

Wagner, AndreasGE EnergySalzbergen, Germany

Wagner, SigurdUniversity of PrincetonUSA

Walter, BernhardBrot für die WeltBonn, Germany

Wernick, UdoEED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst e.V.Bonn, Germany

Wienges, SebastianFVS – Solar Energy Research AssociationBerlin, Germany

Wilke, NicoleBMU - Federal Ministry for Environment, Natur Conservation and Nuclear SafetyBerlin, Germany

Worthington, RichardUniversity of DurhamUnited Kingdom

Wünsch, FrankHMI – Hahn-Meitner-InstitutBerlin, Germany

173

Science Forum 2004

174

BerlinHMI

PotsdamGFZ

Hameln/EmmerthalISFH

KasselISET

HanauISET

JülichFZJ

GelsenkirchenFraunhofer ISE

KölnDLR

StuttgartZSW • DLR Ulm

ZSW

FreiburgFraunhofer ISE

AlmeríaDLR/PSA

Locations



Member Institutes

Science Forum 2004

175

HMI Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin

Glienicker Straße 100 • 14109 Berlin • Germany

Thomas Robertson:

Phone: +49 (0)30/8062-2034

E-mail: [email protected]

www.hmi.de

HMI Adlershof site

Kekuléstraße 5 • 12489 Berlin • Germany

Phone: +49 (0)30/8062-1353

www.hmi.de/bereiche/SE/SE1

ISFH Institut für Solarenergieforschung

Hameln/Emmerthal

Am Ohrberg 1 • 31860 Emmerthal • Germany

Dr. Roland Goslich:

Phone: +49 (0)5151/999-302


www.isfh.de

ISET Institut für Solare Energieversorgungstechnik

Verein an der Universität Kassel e.V.

Königstor 59 • 34119 Kassel • Germany

Uwe Krengel:

Phone: +49 (0)561/7294-319


www.iset.uni-kassel.de

ISET Hanau site

Rodenbacher Chaussee 6 • 63457 Hanau • Germany

Phone: +49 (0)6181/58-2701


ZSW Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und

Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden Würtemberg

(Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research)

Industriestraße 6 • 70565 Stuttgart • Germany

Karl-Heinz Frietsch:

Phone: +49 (0)711/7870-206

E-Mail: [email protected]

www.zsw-bw.de

ZSW Ulm site

Helmholtzstraße 8 • 89081 Ulm • Germany

Phone: +49 (0)731/9530-0

DLR Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt

(German Aerospace Center)

Zentrum Köln-Porz

51170 Cologne • Germany

Prof. Dr. Robert Pitz-Paal

Phone: +49 (0)2203/601-2744


www.dlr.de

DLR Stuttgart site

Pfaffenwaldring 38–40

70569 Stuttgart • Germany

Prof. Dr. Hans Müller-Steinhagen

Phone: +49 (0)711/6862-358


DLR-Team at the

PSA Plataforma Solar de Almería

European Test Centre for

Solar Energy Applications

Apartado 39

E-04200 Tabernas (Almería) • Spain

Dr. Christoph Richter

Phone: 0034/950-38 79 48


www.dlr.de/psa

FZJ Forschungszentrum Jülich

(Research Centre Juelich)

52425 Jülich • Germany

Mechthild Hexamer:

Phone: +49 (0)2461/6-4661


www.fz-juelich.de

Fraunhofer ISE

Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme

(Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems)

Heidenhofstraße 2 • 79110 Freiburg • Germany

Karin Schneider:

Phone: +49 (0)761/4588-5147


www.ise.fraunhofer.de

GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam

Telegrafenberg • 14473 Potsdam • Germany

Franz Ossing:

Phone: +49 (0)331/288-1040


www.gfz-potsdam.de

Member Institutes of the Solar EnergyResearch Association (FVS)

Member Institutes

Science Forum 2004Photographic Credits

p. 5–55 all photographs FVS

p. 61 photographs were provided by IÖW

p. 67 photograph was provided by ISES

p. 79 photograph FVS

p. 80–89 Pictures are courtesy of CSIR,AfricaNet, RISOE UNEP and Renewable Energy World

p. 91 photographs were provided by AFREPREN

p. 115–146 all photographs FVS

p. 151 photograph was provided by German Federal Parliamentphotograph (Stadermann) FVS

p. 159 photograph FVS

177

Photographic Credits

Science Forum 2004

179

Publisher:Dr. Gerd StadermannForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie/Solar Energy Research AssociationKekuléstraße 512489 Berlin

Telefon +49 (0)30 80 62 – 1338Fax +49 (0)30 80 62 – 1333E-Mail [email protected]

Editors:Sebastian WiengesDr. Gerd Stadermann Petra Szczepanski

Simultaneous interpreting:Kristina Lange, Julia WardetzkiTranslationes Stralauer Platz 34, Energieforum10243 Berlin,

Layout:PEPERONI Werbeagentur GmbHPrenzlauer Allee 19310405 Berlin

Print:Oktoberdruck AGRudolfstrasse 1–810245 Berlin

Science Forum 2004 is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Education andResearch (BMBF).

Research and Development of the Solar Energy Research Association/ForschungsVerbund Sonenenergie are supported by the German Federal Ministries for

• Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

• Education and Research (BMBF)• Economics and Labour (BMWA)• Consumer Protection, Food and

Agriculture (BMVEL)

ISSN International Standard Serial Number0939-7582Berlin, September 2004

This brochure is printed on chlorine-freebleached paper.

Imprint Science Forum 2004

ForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie/Solar Energy Research Association

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