Overview

The Renewable Energy Park (REEP) initiative aims to enhance energy access and climate resilience in a rural community near the Mole National Park in Ghana using the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus approach. The project will replicate the plug-and-play microgrid model from the RePower Project, which utilizes solar photovoltaics, battery energy storage systems, and biomass combined heat and power (BCHP).

By incorporating a circular economy approach, agricultural and food processing waste will be used as feedstock for the biomass plant and cookstoves, thereby boosting the community’s energy demand.

The REEP is expected to become fully operational by the end of the project period and financially self-sustainable within five years. The business model will leverage public-private partnerships and explore financing options such as carbon credit sales.

Programme

HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02

Duration

48 months

Total Budget

+6M€
(+4M€ in EU Contributions)

Type of Action

HORIZON Innovation Actions

Coordinator

AARHUS UNIVERSITET
coba@ece.au.dk

Partners

12 partners from 6 countries

© Africa GreenTec

Objectives of the project

Provide clean and reliable energy access in a rural off-grid community in Ghana


Promoting the productive use of energy


Use improved cookstoves


Building a system that can be scaled up to be commercially viable

Partners

Workpackages

Africa Energy Parks will establish a Renewable Energy Park (REEP) in a rural community fringing the Mole National Park, a wildlife reserve, in Ghana to demonstrate a sustainable model for developing energy access and climate resilience in Africa.

WP1 – Stakeholder engagement, social conditions and system planning

To reach this the WP will carry out the following tasks:
T1.1: Engagement and mobilisation of key stakeholders: AfricaEnergyParks will bring together, members of the consortium, the local communities and the key national, local and traditional stakeholders.
T1.2: Socio-technical analysis and pre-existing social conditions: This project will use social scientific methods and theories to understand how pre-existing socio-technical conditions might affect the implementation and use of the proposed technological solutions.
T1.3 – Fostering collaboration and synergies with other projects and initiatives: Collaborate with projects under the same call and relevant initiatives such as AU-EU Climate Change and Sustainable Energy partnership. As well as coordinate with LEAP-RE and Clean Cooking for All Partnership projects to ensure horizontal activity coordination.

WP2 – Data collection, analyses and system modelling

T2.1 Resource evaluation and characterization
T2.2 Data collection and management
T2.3 Load analysis and EMS control setup
T2.4 Component and system dynamic modelling specification and control philosophy

WP3 – Design, construction and commissioning of Microgrid

T3.1 To carry out user needs survey, data collection and analyses
T3.2 To develop complete schematic layout for the microgrid and local grid
T3.3 Distribution infrastructure and network
T3.4 Preparation of site and commissioning of microgrid
T3.5 To develop, manufacture and commission a modular agricultural waste-based biomass to syngas plant
T3.6 To set up operation & maintenance

WP4 – Design, construction and integration of PUE components

T4.1: Surveys and analyses of user needs
T4.2: Design specification for PUE machinery and equipment
T4.3: Manufacturing and delivery
T4.4: Site preparation, installation, and commissioning

WP5 – Integration of Improved Cookstoves

T5.1: User needs studies and community engagement and sensitization
T5.2: Design of ICS models
T5.3 Manufacturing and supply of ICS models
T5.4 Establishing a local supply chain

WP6 – Testing, validation and certification of Microgrid, PUE and ICS components

T6.1 Indoor and outdoor air quality assessment
T6.2 Testing and validation of microgrid
T6.3 Testing and validation of PUE components
T6.4 ICS cookstove performance assessment and monitoring
T6.5: Training and capacity building

WP7 – Sustainability Analysis 

Task 7.1: Social sustainability 
Task 7.2: Environmental sustainability 
Task 7.3: Economic sustainability 
Task 7.4: Total sustainability analysis 

WP8 – Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication (DEC) 

Task 8.1: Communication and Dissemination Plan 
Task 8.2 Development of communication and promotional materials 
Task 8.3: Exploitation plan supported by dissemination activities 
Task 8.4: Business plan 
Task 8.5 – Organization of Final Conference 

WP9 – Project Management and Coordination 

T9.1 Administrative and financial management  
T9.2 Technical project management 
T9.3 Technical progress monitoring, risk management and quality assurance~ 
T9.4 Data Management 
T9.5. Cross-cutting issues