OpeN source nExus modelling tools for Planning sustainable Energy Transition in Africa

Project Information

ONEPlanET

Grant agreement ID: 101084127

DOI

10.3030/101084127

Project closed

EC signature date 4 October 2022

Start date 1 November 2022

End date 30 April 2026

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 2 875 262,50

EU contribution

€ 2 875 262,25

Coordinated by

RINA CONSULTING SPA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ONEPlanET (OpeN source nExus modelling tools for Planning sustainable Energy Transition in Africa)

Reporting period: 2022-11-01 to 2024-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ONEPlanET project operates within the context of Africa's urgent need for sustainable development, particularly in energy and resource management. Facing challenges like energy poverty, water scarcity, food insecurity, and ecological degradation exacerbated by climate change, traditional energy sources fall short in providing reliable and affordable electricity access. Existing infrastructure also lacks resilience to climate impacts. This project's overarching goals encompass several key objectives. Firstly, it aims to develop a comprehensive modelling framework that integrates water, energy, and food sectors with broader socio-economic and environmental considerations. Through this, it seeks to offer a holistic understanding of intersectoral linkages to inform decision-making. Secondly, ONEPlanET seeks to promote a transition towards green energy by advocating for the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure. It also aims to support the decarbonization of existing energy plants, identifying pathways for emissions reduction while ensuring energy security. Moreover, the project aims to empower stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, investors, and citizens, by providing them with tools and knowledge to drive sustainable development initiatives. This includes the co-design and testing of a toolkit tailored to the African context, facilitating informed decision-making and inclusive participation. The expected impacts of ONEPlanET are significant. It aims to enhance sustainable resource management, fostering resilience to climate change and environmental degradation. By addressing key socio-economic and environmental challenges, it seeks to reduce inequalities and ensure equitable distribution of sustainable development benefits. Furthermore, it aims to support policy development by providing evidence-based insights and recommendations. Lastly, through knowledge sharing and capacity building, ONEPlanET seeks to foster collaboration among stakeholders and build local capacity for sustainable development initiatives.

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

During the first 18 months of the project, ONEPlanET focused on several activities, such as:

Establishing a socio-economic and policy baseline for impact assessment, including all the aspects that will affect the WEF Nexus initiative.

Defining a Nexus common modelling framework to address WEF Nexus challenges in the three case studies. To this purpose, specific workshops were organized and dedicated to consultations in the case studies locations with the participation of local stakeholders. This participatory approach was firstly tested and validated during the last GA in Nairobi. Going more into the details, a systematic review was performed to evaluate WEF nexus models and identify features for ONEPlanET's models development; functions and functionalities were defined to be integrated in the WEF models; Nexus conceptual maps were co-created during the stakeholders’ workshops (one for each case study).

- Organization of 4 local workshops, that took place in the three demo site locations and in Nairobi, in occasion of the GA of the project.

- Defining and setting the basis for modelling the interlinkages among WEF sectors. 3 models are already quite advanced.

- High-level analysis of socio-technological requirements for developing the ONEPlanET Toolkit and user-centered design of the ICT tools.

- Co-designing user-centered capacity building content and material, taking into account the different stakeholders’ characteristics and needs.

- Development of a communication strategy, definition of the project visual identity, networking with EU initiatives, participation at international conferences. in total the consortium participated in 14 dissemination events.

- we identified 22 policies to be integrated in the mdoels

Overall, the activities performed and the main achievements during the reporting period laid a robust foundation for addressing WEF nexus challenges, fostering stakeholder engagement, policy assessment, and capacity building, thereby ensuring the project's success and impact.

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 potential impacts of the project results are significant and diverse, spanning technical, economic, and societal domains. Here's an overview of the potential impacts and key needs to ensure further uptake and success:

Results Potential Impacts:

Technical Advancements: The ONEPlanET OnePlanet OnePlanet project’s technical outcomes hold the potential to advance knowledge and capabilities in various fields. The development of an integrated dynamic modeling framework that addresses the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus represents a major step forward. This model incorporates climate change impacts and cross-sectoral interdependencies, providing a tool for policymakers and stakeholders. The innovative engagement strategy ensures the models are tailored to local contexts, enhancing their accuracy and applicability. These advancements pave the way for more effective and sustainable resource management strategies, setting new standards in integrated modeling.

Economic Growth: Successful exploitation of the OnePlanet project’s results can stimulate economic growth by creating new business opportunities, fostering innovation, and generating revenue streams. By providing robust tools for decision-making, the project can help governments and organizations optimize resource allocation and improve efficiency, leading to cost savings and economic benefits. Additionally, the project’s findings and models can attract investment in related sectors, encouraging the development of new technologies and services. This can foster a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to broader economic development.

Societal Benefits: The application of OnePlanet project results could lead to societal benefits such as improved resource management, enhanced decision-making processes, and the development of sustainable practices. The project's focus on reducing inequalities and addressing socio-economic barriers ensures that the benefits are inclusive and equitable. By improving the understanding of the WEF Nexus and integrating local knowledge, the project can support communities in managing their resources more effectively, enhancing resilience to climate change and other challenges. These societal benefits can contribute to improved quality of life and sustainable development.

Overview of Results:

At the conclusion of the project, the outcomes include a comprehensive Key Exploitable List, a detailed characterization table providing deep analysis of each Oneplanet Key Exploitable Result, and a clear understanding of the potential impacts and pathways for further uptake and success. These results lay the groundwork for future exploitation and commercialization efforts, with the potential to drive innovation, economic growth, and societal progress.

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