ENERGy access and green transition collaboratively demonstrated in urban and rural areas in AfrICA

Project Information

ENERGICA

Grant agreement ID: 101037428

DOI

10.3030/101037428

Project closed

EC signature date 31 August 2021

Start date 1 November 2021

End date 31 January 2026

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 12 348 175,75

EU contribution

€ 9 999 370,39

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ENERGICA (ENERGy access and green transition collaboratively demonstrated in urban and rural areas in AfrICA)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Significant progress was made towards demonstrating the ENERGICA solutions. The frugal waste-to-energy technology in Sierra Leone and productive nanogrids in Madagascar were designed and lab-tested, with sites prepared for commissioning early in the third period. Kenya's e-mobility demonstrator operates successfully, ready to scale and enhance integration. Capacity building and co-creation activities advanced to ensure sustainable adoption and local impact.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The cybersecurity and privacy analysis of all 3 pilot systems was completed by M24. The data management plan was updated at M30. Work focused on conceptualizing Integrated Community Energy Systems (ICESs), defining the socio-economic, environmental, regulatory, and technical conditions for their establishment. These conditions were analyzed during a field trip in Madagascar. Significant achievements were made in enhancing local capacity for ENERGICA solutions through tailored training curricula proposed to universities in Madagascar for integration into their programs, focusing on technical and managerial skills related to nano grid development. Agri-, water-, and cooling-specific solutions for nanogrids were designed, tested, and pre-commissioned at 42 demonstrator sites, with local operators trained for operation expected in December 2024. Demonstration of 8 containerized solutions is on hold since October 2023 due to financial issues, with a mitigation plan being prepared. Low-tech biogas digesters and solar disinfection systems were manufactured, tested, and shipped to Sierra Leone, with commissioning expected in January 2025. An integrated solution of smart swapping stations and battery fleet management was successfully developed and deployed in Nairobi, achieving deployment of 1000 Roam Air e-motorcycles by November 2024. Efforts focused on identifying innovative energy technology priorities and methodologies within the ENERGICA project framework. Deliverable D7.2 provides a databook for business models of ENERGICA solutions, laying the foundation for understanding environmental performance. The focus now shifts to optimizing environmental impacts via LCA. HUDARA’s field trip to Madagascar analyzed social acceptance of IECSs, marking a significant milestone. Tasks T8.3 and T8.4 are progressing as scheduled. Project activities were shared on social media; by November 2024, six scientific publications were released, and activities were presented at 14 events. Synergies with sister projects like SESA, REFFECT Africa, SteamBio, and SophiA were strengthened through HRB Module B activities. Management tools ensured timely completion and quality of project activities, with continuous risk analysis and information provision to the EC.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The expected impact of WP1 is to improving the interoperability and security of the developed solutions and their integration into their environment. The results will be a smooth integration of the systems in WP4, WP5 and WP6. Moreover, the published specifications should enable the replicability of the solutions described.
WP2 evaluated the impact of productive uses of energy on the social and economic situation of rural communities. The analysis of enabling conditions for the implementation of ICESs in the three different demonstrator sites sets the basis for unlocking benefits of community inclusion in energy systems.
Implementing the training curricula developed and proposed to universities in Madagascar will have the dual benefit of enabling students to improve their employability and providing the NANOE demonstrator as well as other organizations in the area with a pool of well-trained workforce specifically trained in the challenges of developing innovative projects in rural areas.
WP4 developed, prototyped and lab-tested innovative technologies to improve rural energy systems and increase the impact of energy access. These technologies are expected to be replicable to similar sites and not only improve the economic performance the energy systems but unlock socio-economic benefits for the rural communities electrified.
The demonstrator will show how to improve value streams and resource utilization, while creating job opportunities and value in the form of energy and natural fertilizer. The solar reactor will test its effectiveness in the local context and gain a better understanding requirements for the innovative water purification solution, promising to reduce water stress in many African countries.
The demonstrator showcases strong market fit for the electric motorcycles and charging stations. The motorcycles have proven to deliver excellent performance for passenger transport and goods delivery in Nairobi, while the charging stations enable on-demand charging. Both solutions reduce operational costs compared to fossil fuels for end-users while enhancing power grid efficiency.
WP7 explores the feasibility and potential of innovative energy technologies, focusing on developing adaptable business and financial models. It supports scalability and sustainability by conducting detailed techno-economic studies and feasibility assessments, ensuring the long-term impact of the ENERGICA solutions.
WP8 will evaluate ENERGICA solutions across three sites, comparing them to conventional alternatives across environmental, socio-economic, climate, and SDG-based impact. Insights from social acceptance, climate modeling, and sustainability analyses will validate effectiveness and scalability. Results will offer actionable recommendations for replicability, supporting energy transitions and sustainability in diverse regions.
ENERGICA results will be disseminated to local and regional stakeholders to ensure the uptake and replication of results to other contexts. Synergies with sister projects (i.e. SESA), will be exploited with the co-organisation of a joint final event for common dissemination. An exploitation strategy will ensure the widespread exploitation of the project´s solutions beyond the project lifetime.
WP 11 will continuously consult tools and procedures developed to ensure efficient processes and administration in line with EC guidelines and requirements.

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