Application of Renewable Energy in Fuelling Sustainable Development in Africa

SESAM/ARTES Alumni from the University of Flensburg, Alumni from University of Oldenburg and a group of some DAAD alumni with support from German Academic Exchange Programme and University of Flensburg organized a memorable 1st SESAM/ARTES African Alumni Workshop in Accra, Ghana. The theme for the workshop was "APPLICATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN FUELLING SUSTAINABLE DEVELPOMENT IN AFRICA" which occurred from May 05-09, 2008. This workshop was organized in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), College of Engineering, the Energy Centre. Immense support was received from DAAD office in Accra, Ghana notably the country director Dr. Heike Edelmann-Okinda. Partners for the workshop in Ghana were the Ministry of Energy, Ghana Institution of Engineers and Energy Commission.  

In all 18 Alumni from 10 different countries African countries attended this workshop. The new director of SESAM (Sustainable Energy System and Management) Professor Dr. August Schlaepfer and Dr. Dieter Klein a lecturer from University/Project leader were also present from Germany.

Under the overall goal of capacity building through scientific inputs, information sharing and exposure for strategic promotion, dissemination and wider application of Renewable Energy Technologies within the African context, the workshop aimed in achieving the following objectives:

Sharing the latest scientific information, exchanging work experiences and discussion on the above mentioned subject matters will keep the alumni updated so that they can meet the manifold challenges and act as innovators and active change agents in their home countries and work places toward accelerating the use of renewable energy technologies and fostering sustainable development holistically.

The personal contacts and subject matter exchange with German development organisations, various development partners especially in the field of energy and development as well as the private sector and its initiatives in renewable energy will help the Alumni to ignite the zeal for initiating cooperation and future collaborations in their respective home countries.

Through the workshop, a signal for the relevance of renewable energies and the potential for human capacity building and knowledge transfer will be set, expanding the resource base within the African continent.

The SESAM/ARTES African Alumni have been uncoordinated for a number of years. This has made it difficult to have effective information sharing base. This workshop will set up a foundation stone for effective strategies in forging a forum where African Alumni will be able to collaborate among themselves and create linkage with other partners' organisations inside and outside the continent.

In connection with the above, the creation and intensification of the African Alumni Network by electing coordinators/facilitators and setting up national and regional structures will strengthen the Alumni in their manifold information needs, and will be a window of advertisement for potential SESAM students and give them first hand information before they come to Germany.

Initiating the formation of International consultancy groups who would advice and work in projects in the field of renewable energy and environment. Parts of the proceeds received could be used for benevolent activities within Africa and the sustainability of the network.

Based on the feedback on needs and inputs identified and indicated by the alumni participants the workshop addressed eight subtopics:

Policy & Strategies for Renewable Energy Technologies Promotion & Dissemination of Renewable Energy Technologies Potential of RE in Power Generation RET and Rural Electrification and Development Fossil Fuels vs. Sustainable Development Role of RE for Power Generation & Energy Security Application of RETs in Training Institutions Strategies in Improving the Dissemination of Biofuels in Africa  

Download the full workshop report 

Main report