Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EMERGE (ENERGY SYSTEM MODELLING FOR GREEN DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31
The EMERGE project was initiated to address the increasing energy demands in Africa while promoting sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions. The project's primary objective is to empower African stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, investors, and citizens, by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge. This empowerment aims to boost clean energy production and promote the sustainable use of resources, bridging cultural and socioeconomic divides across the continent.
To achieve this, EMERGE is focused on the development of a Toolbox. This Toolbox is designed to simulate various scenarios for optimal resource utilisation, taking into account the specific social, climatic, economic, and technical constraints prevalent in different African regions. The Toolbox will be created by integrating and expanding upon existing tools, methodologies, and approaches. In addition to the Toolbox, EMERGE is also creating a Knowledge Base, which will serve as a comprehensive collection of initiatives, materials, and knowledge-exchange activities. To ensure the project's relevance and effectiveness, EMERGE is establishing knowledge communities in three distinct African ecosystems: Northwestern Africa (Morocco), the Niger River region (Mali/Nigeria), and Mozambique. These communities will be developed using a participatory approach. The project's pathway to impact is designed to empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies for a clean energy transition. This will be achieved through the development of tools and knowledge resources, and by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Europe and Africa. EMERGE also intends to address policy and regulatory barriers, promote investment in renewable energy, and enhance social awareness of the benefits of clean energy. The expected impacts of EMERGE are significant. By facilitating the clean energy transition, the project aims to contribute to climate change mitigation, improve energy access, promote economic growth, and enhance social well-being across Africa.
To achieve this, EMERGE is focused on the development of a Toolbox. This Toolbox is designed to simulate various scenarios for optimal resource utilisation, taking into account the specific social, climatic, economic, and technical constraints prevalent in different African regions. The Toolbox will be created by integrating and expanding upon existing tools, methodologies, and approaches. In addition to the Toolbox, EMERGE is also creating a Knowledge Base, which will serve as a comprehensive collection of initiatives, materials, and knowledge-exchange activities. To ensure the project's relevance and effectiveness, EMERGE is establishing knowledge communities in three distinct African ecosystems: Northwestern Africa (Morocco), the Niger River region (Mali/Nigeria), and Mozambique. These communities will be developed using a participatory approach. The project's pathway to impact is designed to empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies for a clean energy transition. This will be achieved through the development of tools and knowledge resources, and by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Europe and Africa. EMERGE also intends to address policy and regulatory barriers, promote investment in renewable energy, and enhance social awareness of the benefits of clean energy. The expected impacts of EMERGE are significant. By facilitating the clean energy transition, the project aims to contribute to climate change mitigation, improve energy access, promote economic growth, and enhance social well-being across Africa.
Key achievements include defining the Knowledge Base concept, which will serve as a central repository for energy system modelling information, tools, and best practices. A methodology for expert and citizen engagement was developed to ensure stakeholder involvement in co-creating solutions. The project also identified key policy barriers and opportunities within the pilot countries (Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, and Nigeria) to inform the design of energy system models. Use cases and KPIs were defined to guide the development of the energy system models. Activities included analysing existing energy models and databases, defining the Common System Architecture (CSA), developing the EMERGE database, and implementing the Knowledge Base.
The toolbox aims to integrate economic, technical, social, and environmental aspects and account for regional variations in energy infrastructure development. Key achievements include: Development of an open-source version of the CEPIA tool tailored to African pilot sites; Creation of grid investment tools, including a Hosting Capacity tool and an Optimal Storage Placement tool; Development of the GREENADVISE tool for investment planning; Energy modelling has begun for demonstration sites in Mozambique and Morocco. Stakeholder mapping, engagement sessions, and evaluation strategies were conducted; A co-design workshop was held in Morocco to gather stakeholder feedback on project tools, and two AU-EU exchanges were held. A structured data repository has been established, and data collection efforts have been launched. Preliminary demonstrations have been conducted. Pilot demonstrations have started in Morocco, Mali, and Mozambique.
The toolbox aims to integrate economic, technical, social, and environmental aspects and account for regional variations in energy infrastructure development. Key achievements include: Development of an open-source version of the CEPIA tool tailored to African pilot sites; Creation of grid investment tools, including a Hosting Capacity tool and an Optimal Storage Placement tool; Development of the GREENADVISE tool for investment planning; Energy modelling has begun for demonstration sites in Mozambique and Morocco. Stakeholder mapping, engagement sessions, and evaluation strategies were conducted; A co-design workshop was held in Morocco to gather stakeholder feedback on project tools, and two AU-EU exchanges were held. A structured data repository has been established, and data collection efforts have been launched. Preliminary demonstrations have been conducted. Pilot demonstrations have started in Morocco, Mali, and Mozambique.
The EMERGE project aims to equip African policymakers, academics, investors, and citizens with tools and knowledge to boost clean energy production and sustainable resource use. It focuses on co-designing and testing an energy system modelling Toolbox and creating a Knowledge Base, initially within three African ecosystems: Northwestern Africa (Morocco), the Niger River region, and Mozambique.
Key Results and Outputs
EMERGE Toolbox: Development of a comprehensive set of tools designed for energy system analysis and planning tailored to African contexts. These tools support various aspects like simulating energy scenarios, considering grid constraints, evaluating flexibility options, and advising on investments.
Knowledge Base & Database: Establishment of a concept for a Knowledge Base to consolidate initiatives, materials, and knowledge-exchange activities.
Common System Architecture (CSA): Definition of a CSA to guide the development of energy system models suitable for the African context, considering cross-sectoral parameters and requirements (technical, economic, environmental, social).
Stakeholder Engagement & Co-design: Co-design workshops and activities have been conducted to gather feedback and ensure tools meet user needs. A Stakeholder Group has been formed.
Pilot Demonstrations: Initiation of pilot activities in Morocco, Mali (replacing the broader Niger River region focus), and Mozambique.
Key Results and Outputs
EMERGE Toolbox: Development of a comprehensive set of tools designed for energy system analysis and planning tailored to African contexts. These tools support various aspects like simulating energy scenarios, considering grid constraints, evaluating flexibility options, and advising on investments.
Knowledge Base & Database: Establishment of a concept for a Knowledge Base to consolidate initiatives, materials, and knowledge-exchange activities.
Common System Architecture (CSA): Definition of a CSA to guide the development of energy system models suitable for the African context, considering cross-sectoral parameters and requirements (technical, economic, environmental, social).
Stakeholder Engagement & Co-design: Co-design workshops and activities have been conducted to gather feedback and ensure tools meet user needs. A Stakeholder Group has been formed.
Pilot Demonstrations: Initiation of pilot activities in Morocco, Mali (replacing the broader Niger River region focus), and Mozambique.