Energy & Climate
Energy in Africa
Annan report urges investment in Africa’s energy for a triple win for people, power and planet
9 August 2015
A project from the University of Nottingham is one of 13 UK research projects that will address urgent global energy and climate challenges through the Ayrton Challenge Programme.
This interdisciplinary, challenge-led research initiative aims to enable a transformative transition to low-carbon energy systems in developing countries.
Supported by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund—a £1 billion commitment to research and development in clean energy technologies and business models—the projects have each received a share of over £33 million, and will foster equitable partnerships with in-country researchers.
The African SCENe (Sustainable Community Energy Networks) project, led by the University of Nottingham, proposes turning schools within informal settlements into Community Energy Hubs.
This will be achieved through innovative business models that make energy generation and storage technology accessible, fostering sustainable energy practices, enhancing local resilience and empowering communities to take control of their energy production and consumption.
Over 800 million people live without electricity globally, 600 million in Africa.
African SCENe was born from a desire to accelerate adequate, affordable and reliable renewable energy within low-income suburban communities in sub-Saharan Africa, while enhancing nutrition, clean energy awareness and education.
The core team, led by Professor Lucelia Rodrigues from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, spent 12 months in two major informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya working with communities to co-create a workable business model that is supported by informal schools and approved by the Kenyan Ministry of Education.
The team, in collaboration with Strathmore University in Kenya, will use the £3m Ayrton fund to test this through a three-year, 10-school pilot in Nairobi that will enable them to address social-economic viability and prove the business model.
‘I am delighted we have been awarded Ayrton Fund to put the results of our feasibility study into practice. African SCENe addresses 13 Sustainable Development Goals and has the potential to significantly improve lives not only in Kenya but also in low-income communities across the world.’
PROFESSOR LUCELIA RODRIGUES
Project lead
The Ayrton Challenge Programme promotes equitable partnerships between UK and in-country researchers to ensure projects are locally relevant and impactful.
By networking with other initiatives under the wider Ayrton Fund, these projects aim to deliver scalable solutions to energy and climate challenges globally.
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