Discussions on the future of energy systems in Africa were held at a mini-froum in Paris, not too long ago. And this is in preparation for a symposium in Morocco.
Energy is indispensable. Without sustainable access to energy sources no progress in social life is possible (communication, mobility, access to drinking water, food, health and hygiene, education, etc.). But accessibility to energy sources in Africa is very uneven despite efforts undertaken at all levels to remedy this. The technological, economic and societal problems and challenges to be overcome are known as well as the initiatives underway.
The global context for energy use is changing for many reasons. All countries have begun an energy transition. African countries are not exempt from this in order to project their policies and technological developments in the coming decades and contribute to the sustainable development goals.
The basic research on energy use is a key component of the development of a sustainable energy future.
Multidisciplinary basic research
All the techniques of energy production and improvement rely in fine on multidisciplinary fundamental research whether it is hardware or software but without their practical implementation the efforts remain vain. This is why it is important to highlight them.
This situation was at the heart of discussions at the Coped mini-forum held in Paris on November 29-30, 2022. It brought together more than 30 experts from 7 African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Togo, Ethiopia, Ghana and Canada) with their French counterparts. At the end of this meeting it was agreed to deepen the reflections on energy, in its various forms, in Africa.
Morocco, supported by all the countries that participated in the mini-forum, will therefore organize an International Forum on Energy in Africa open to all national and international actors.
Themes and presentations of the mini-forum
- Electrical engineering, power grids, mini-grids, (generation, distribution, present and future).
Issues in adapting 4D power grids to SSA communities, Pr. Innocent Kamwa, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Laval, Canada. - Fossil Fuels and Biomass (Production, Distribution, Present and Future)
Natural Gas: Energy Vector for Africa’s Economic Development, Dr. Mohamed Khodja, Algerian Academy of Sciences and Technologies, Sonatrach, Algerian Petroleum Institute, Algeria. - Renewable energy, energy efficiency (biomass, wind, solar PV and thermodynamic, hydrogen, hydroelectricitý, geothermal)
Sustainably meeting energy needs in Africa with fluctuating resources of renewable origin: What are the challenges for storage? Pr. Yao Azoumah, CEO of the KYA-Energy Group, Lome, Togo. - Short-term (fuel cells and batteries) and long-term storage.
Towards the development of new renewable-energy-based-systems in Africa through Power to X concept, Pr. Ass. Said Laassiri, Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, Morocco.
Ethiopia energy sector: current status, future prospects with continental context, Kalid Amed Seid, Ethiopian Ministry of Research in charge of energy development, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Innovation and Technology Transfer.Energy: Innovation and Technology Transfer in Africa, Ali El Amrani, Founder of iBTIQUAR Innovation Lab. chairman of the Innovation and Investment Committee of Morocco, Expert, National Innovation Systems and Technology Transfer, United Nations. - Energy Economics, Policy for an Energy Transition.
Two Decades of Public Policy for an Energy Transition in West Africa: Lessons, Constraints, Outcomes and Prospects, Charly Gatete, ECOWAS, Accra, Ghana.