Star-C: Establishing Solar Technology Appliation Resource Centres as Centres of Excelence in Benin, Bangladesh and Buthan

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is currently establishing STAR-C (Solar Technology Application Resource Centres) in Benin, Bangladesh and Bhutan. These STAR-Centres will act as centres of excellence, providing expertise and training to governments, the private sector, communities and individuals, and acting as a one-stop-shop for capacity building, testing, incubation and dissemination of solar technologies. 

A Country Assessment Validation Workshop for the establishment of the STAR-C in Bangladesh was held in Dhaka on 30 January. Organised by the Bangladesh Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and ISA, the event brought together various local institutions and associations to learn how a STAR-Centre can contribute to the further development of the solar photovoltaic sector. RENAC had conducted a comprehensive assessment and developed implementation strategies and roadmaps over the last few weeks and presented the highlights of the report at the workshop. 
At the time of writing the country assessment reports for Bangladesh and Benin are being finalised and for Bhutan it is in the stage of preparation.


Contact:
Jens Brand, Project Director, brand@renac.de 

Supporting the market development of Photovoltaics and Green Hydrogen in Algeria

RENAC has officially launched its mission to support the market development of solar PV and green hydrogen in Algeria with an Inception Week held in Algiers during the first week of December 2023.Throughout the week, RENAC engaged with key stakeholders from ministries, state-owned companies, clusters and beyond, all dedicated to advancing the fields of solar energy, green hydrogen and sustainable financing.

Our team presented a comprehensive range of tailor-made activities to support the three main objectives of the mission: capacity building, private sector development and market creation for renewable energy. These activities include online training programmes, face-to-face courses, workshops and mentoring programmes aimed at empowering stakeholders and fostering growth in the renewable energy sector.

The inception week culminated in a one-day conference where the results of the week were presented to all partners and focus themes for all three areas - solar energy, green banking and green hydrogen - were developed through interactive group work.

Check our website for further project details.

Contact:
Agnieszka Wörner, Project Director, woerner@renac.de

Implementation of the first Training System for Green Hydrogen in India

RENAC and the Gujarat Energy and Management Institute (GERMI), under the auspices of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology Climate Action (BMWK) and the GIZ, have joined forces to build workforce capacity for green hydrogen in India: Together with several other international experts, these training institutes have developed a unique 5-day train-the-trainer programme on "Green Hydrogen PtX - Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Installation". This training project focuses on solar resources harnessed through PV arrays to power hydrogen plants for the production of hydrogen and its many uses. 

The primary technology used in this green hydrogen training project is supplied by the leading German innovators Enpater for the AEM electrolyser and SFC for the fuel cells. The first programme was successfully completed on 16 February and several of the new trainers will be in action in this month, delivering two of the many regular training courses.

Contact: 
Gérald Lamusse, Head of Division, lamusse@renac.de

Empowering South Africa's Green Hydrogen future: Expert exchange event series coming up 

In response to the global imperative for sustainable solutions in carbon-intensive sectors, RENAC is proud to play a role in the GIZ-led South African-German cooperation initiative H2.SA, driving change and facilitating knowledge exchange on green hydrogen and power-to-x. Over the next 20 months, we will conduct 15 expert exchange events tailored for different stakeholders, including industry players, policy makers, investors, researchers and local communities. 

With 12 web-based and 3 in-person events, RENAC is facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the potential of green hydrogen in South Africa. Our events cover topics critical to South Africa's hydrogen ecosystem, including:
- Policy & Strategy Development
- Business Development
- Research & Training
- Sustainability & Just Transition.

Registration for the 1st Expert Exchange is open now:

Commercialising Green Hydrogen and Power-to-X - South Africa's Strategy and Case Study// 17th of April
If you want to receive direct invitations, please contact Charlene Rossler.

Find more information on the project website or download the project flyer.

Contact:
Charlene Rossler, Project Director, rossler@renac.de

Solar energy roadmap in Uganda

The International Solar Association (ISA) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are committed to supporting Uganda's energy transition. The Solar Energy Roadmap in Uganda project with RENAC and GIZ aims to develop a national energy roadmap and build capacity in the solar sector. Phase one of the project included a capacity needs assessment and a solar energy capacity building roadmap. Phase two involved a training programme focusing on the early stages of the solar PV value chain. 

The first training for policy makers was held on 6 and 7 February with 26 participants from ministries and public institutions related to renewable energy, Keynote speakers Dr Brian Isabirye, Commissioner of the Department of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, opened the training series. The second training was held from 19 to 28 February and focused on the financing of solar energy projects. Finally, the Train the Trainers programme will be held in March and will target project developers as well as people linked to academia who can replicate the methodologies to develop solar projects in Uganda.

We would like to thank all the participants who took part in our trainings and underline the Renewables Academy's commitment to contribute to the development of clean technologies in different countries.

Contact:
Ernesto Villalobos Portilla, Project Manager, villalobos@renac.de

ETRELA's Inception Missions Elevate Capacity Needs Assessment in Honduras and the Dominican Republic

ETRELA's introductory missions to Honduras and the Dominican Republic complemented the comprehensive Capacity Needs Assessment phase of the project. Under the auspices of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), ETRELA is a transformative initiative, driving renewable energy and energy efficiency education and training across seven Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Guided by the implementing lead OLADE (Organización Latinoamericana de Energía), RENAC, and Global Factor, carry out a Capacity Needs Assessment to develop a profound understanding what their future partners need and how they can benefit the most from the roll out of the ETRELA project.

The recent inception missions to key stakeholders in the energy sector of Honduras and the Dominican Republic were fostering a productive exchange on market developments, trends, and project requirements around clean energy solutions. Receptions, facilitated with the ambassador of Honduras, her excellency, Ms. Daniela Vogel, on 25th January 2024, and on 2nd February 2024 with the ambassador of Dominican Republic, her excellency, Ms. Maike Friedrichsen, alongside with the energy ministries of the respective countries complemented the political perspective.

Notably, ETRELA's collaboration with esteemed universities has been equally crucial. This joint effort is to encourage a new generation of environmentally conscious professionals, driving sustainable progress in the region.

Contact:
Silke Jensen, Project Director, jensen@renac.de

Countdown for the 2024 edition of the World Future Energy Summit

Meet RENAC at the World Future Energy Summit at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 16–18 April 2024. Once again RENAC will be exhibiting at the event. Come by stand 7126 at the German Pavilion and learn more about our wide range of services. 

This event brings together industry influencers, problem solvers, and cutting-edge solutions, focused on creating the blueprints for a sustainable future.

If you would like to arrange a meeting, please feel free to contact Manolita Wiehl, International Business Development and Sales.

Contact: 
Manolita Wiehl, wiehl@renac.de

Roundtable at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

On March 20 RENAC will be chairing the high-level round table “Capacity Building Strategies Enabling Energy Transition” taking place at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue BETD.24 at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. The event is being organized by the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) and eclareon GmbH, and will be moderated by the German Solar Association (BSW).

The roundtable will bring together ministry representatives, donors, funders and training institutions with the common target to skill relevant stakeholder groups for the energy transition worldwide. At this roundtable RENAC and our hosts would like to share experiences on successful Capacity Building approaches, strategies and policies, and also open up the discussion on prioritizing education and coordinating funding amongst donors and funders. More information about the BETD.24 is available through the website.

Contact: 
Manolita Wiehl, wiehl@renac.de