Newsletters Thursday...
Philip Costa
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Nine months on from the historic decision to set up a loss and damage fund and we’re finally getting into the details of what it will look like.
The US and developing countries have published rival proposals and are currently hashing out their differences in a five-star hotel in the Dominican Republic.
There’s a number of differences between the two on substance but the proposal that’s perhaps provoked the most anger is over the make-up of the board of the new fund.
Campaigners and developing countries say the US is trying to rig the powerful panel in rich nations’ favour, by adding seats for the countries that donate the most to the fund.
But, in a heated face-to-face exchange with campaigners, the US negotiator claimed “from our math it is equal” because “we’re not making assumptions” about who the biggest contributors will be.
It looks like an American attempt to engineer a win-win situation. If developing countries like China don’t donate, then rich nations control the board. If they do, it takes the pressure off US and European taxpayers.
Also this week, we're asking you for a favour. We've put together a very short survey to understand what our readers expect from this newsletter. It will take less than five minutes to answer - we promise! You can find it here.
This week's stories
- US denies rigging loss and damage fund’s board in rich nations’ favour
- ‘Carbon bomb’ in Argentina gets push from local government
- EU nominates Wopke Hoekstra as top climate diplomat
- Developing countries call for $100 billion loss and damage target
- Kenyan president William Ruto courts logging controversy
and comment
EU's new climate lead?
While the US takes the flack, the Europeans have been quieter. And they may have new leadership by the next loss and damage meeting and Cop28.
Frans Timmermans, the EU climate lead who finally ended rich nations blocking of the loss and damage fund in Sharm el-Sheikh, has stepped down to try and become the Dutch prime minister.
The leader of the EU executive wants to replace Timmermans with Wopke Hoekstra, a former golden boy of the Dutch centre-right whose domestic prospects look gloomy after November's national elections.
As finance then foreign minister, Hoekstra is most famous for refusing to give EU money to southern European countries, painting them as irresponsible and annoying them greatly.
If he refuses to show solidarity with people on other side of the Alps and Pyrenees, how keen will he been to send loss and damage funds beyond the Mediterranean?
He faces a rocky ride in the European parliament first though, with left-wingers on the environment committee out to block him from the climate job.
Ahead of the G20, Indian businesses call for policies to enable a just clean energy transition. Leading Indian businesses and companies operating in India have written to G20 leaders with seven key policy asks.
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Nicolette <nico...@esi-africa.com> Unsubscribe
Click on the image to read this article. A crypto investor has used bitcoin to purchase 98% of all the solar cells for the Pretoria Boys High School solar project in South Africa.
Rwanda can achieve full electrification of healthcare facilities using solar
A new report says Rwanda could achieve 100% electrification of its healthcare facilities by 2027 by using renewable energy sources.
Egypt: Gas discovery spurs drilling in the Mediterranean, Nile Delta
The Egyptian government announced its plans to drill 45 natural exploratory gas wells until mid-2025.
Burundi: 3,000 households to benefit from clean energy investment
The initiative is worth around $1m and aims to provide clean energy through solar home systems.
Senegal: 2-year service agreement signed for thermal generation plant
The plant dispatches power to the national electricity distributor Senelac and reliability of supply is essential.
Women-led wind turbine team advocates for better gender representation
The wind power industry includes a mere 14% women representation. Babalwa Kekana, the Head of Services for Nordex Energy South Africa, spells out how this gender narrative can be challenged.
Mining Indaba: Community initiatives drive inclusion and sustainability
Investing in African Mining Indaba has shown a commitment to improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities in which the event takes place.
Iwasuke Shimada From Toshiba Africa on market developments
Iwasuke Shimada, Managing Director of Toshiba Africa, spoke with ESI Africa about industry opportunities and the role the private sector can play in Africa’s energy transition.
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
28 September 2023 | WEBINAR: How South Africa can balance demand and grid stability
Explore how gas-to-power can meet South Africa’s growing energy needs without compromising grid stability.
27-28 September 2023 | Hydrogen-Africa Conference & Expo | Johannesburg
Hot off the press: Get your copy of ESI Africa Issue 2 at this event.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
31 October-2 November 2023 | World Hydropower Congress | Bali
Over 200 high-level speakers from government, industry, finance, research and civil society are expected to participate in over 30 sessions.
Nicolette <nico...@esi-africa.com> Unsubscribe
Ed's note: Operating with gas as an energy transition resource
A rising topic in the energy sector is gas. Are we using this resource sufficiently, and why isn’t gas considered a supportive energy transition technology?
The world is at a crucial moment to achieve net-zero emissions and sustainable energy access for all. Thus, the decisions made today and in the coming years concerning the power sector will significantly impact a range of socioeconomic priorities.
For African countries, these priorities include industrialisation, job creation and combatting climate change effects on land, water and food – and an overarching component to achieving these is undoubtedly reliable power supply.
As a cleaner energy source when compared to coal and diesel, natural gas is a good fit to support a just energy transition in any country, as it can aid the integration of variable renewables into the energy mix.
Egypt: Council set up to target green hydrogen investment
Egypt is looking to stimulate investment in its green hydrogen sector, with the government setting up a national body to drive the process.
Djibouti: PPA entered into for development of solar project
A Dubai-based renewable energy company has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with the government of Djibouti for a 25MW solar PV project.
South Africa: Two bidders selected for hybrid renewable projects
South Africa’s Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has signed agreements with two bidders for hybrid renewable projects totalling 203MW.
Kenya: JinkoSolar to supply refugee camp with energy storage system
JinkoSolar will supply a 1.1MWh energy storage system integrated with a 500kW PV project to a refugee camp in Kenya.
IRENA: Renewable energy a front-runner amid fossil fuel price crisis
The fossil fuel price crisis has accelerated the competitiveness of renewable energy, according to an IRENA report.
HVAC: Impact continues to stymie energy transition efforts – report
The global heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry could delay the energy transition to net-zero by years, says a recently released report.
Insights from energy expert Dr Dan Kammen
Dan Kammen, a professor of energy at the University of California, Berkeley, talks about his ongoing research, the role of nuclear and why meeting SDG7 is important to meet all the SDGs.
ESI Africa News Highlights | Week 32 - 2023
Watch the latest news highlights with ESI Africa Editor-in-Chief Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl and catch up on energy and power news from around Africa.
CLICK HERE for the full listing of upcoming industry events
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
28 September 2023 | WEBINAR: How South Africa can balance demand and grid stability
Explore how gas-to-power can meet South Africa’s growing energy needs without compromising grid stability.
27-28 September 2023 | Hydrogen-Africa Conference & Expo | Johannesburg
Hot off the press: Get your copy of ESI Africa Issue 2 at this event.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infrastructure investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
31 October-2 November 2023 | World Hydropower Congress | Bali
Over 200 high-level speakers from government, industry, finance, research and civil society are expected to participate in over 30 sessions.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
Nicolette <nico...@esi-africa.com> Unsubscribe
Click on the image to read the full article. UN Climate Change Keynote speech by UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at the Ministerial Opening of the Africa Climate Summit and the Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya.
Solar energy powers rural healthcare centres, schools in 3 African nations
Nine solar power demonstration projects have recently been inaugurated in Uganda, Comoros and Mali by the International Solar Alliance.
South Africa: Fund for renewable energy projects in agriculture
To combat loadshedding’s effect on the agriculture sector, the Land Bank and South Africa’s Department of Agriculture have launched a blended finance fund.
Green hydrogen project development studies launched in Kenya
A green hydrogen developer has announced the launch of development studies to install a first green hydrogen power plant in Kenya.
All caught up? Get the latest news headlines here!
DRC, Benin: SEforALL hiring Universal Energy Facility Coordinator
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is hiring a Coordinator for its Universal Energy Facility. DEADLINE: 7 September 2023
Uganda: Business Support Officer vacancy at solar energy company
ENGIE Energy Access is looking to hire an experienced Business Support Officer to be based in Kampala.
Boldwin Hlongwani from Actom on market developments
In this interview, Boldwin Hlongwani spoke with ESI Africa on industry opportunities and the private sector's role in Africa's energy transition.
Find out all about the choice upcoming events in the energy industry
20-21 September 2023 | Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) | Johannesburg, Gauteng
Come and explore energy efficiency in sustainability and development goals.
27-28 September | Hydrogen-Africa Conference & Expo | Johannesburg, South Africa
Delve into the exciting possibilities offered by hydrogen as a clean, versatile and abundant energy source.
28 September 2023 | WEBINAR: How South Africa can balance demand and grid stability
Explore how gas-to-power can meet South Africa’s growing energy needs without compromising grid stability.
1-3 October 2023 | Smarter Mobility Africa Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Join us as Smarter Mobility Africa summit returns to a full-scale physical event during African Mobility Month and October Transport Month.
3-5 October 2023 | Windaba | CTICC, Cape Town
Register to attend Africa's premier wind energy conference and exhibition.
4-6 October 2023 | ESG Africa Conference | Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
Secure your seat at this 2023 ESG conference under the theme, ‘Sustainable Future Through Leadership’.
24-26 October 2023 | Africa PPP Summit | Casablanca, Morocco
Attend the longest-running infra-investment strategic summit.
24-27 October 2023 | CIGRE Southern Africa | CSIR, Pretoria
Attend this regional biennial discussion forum and exhibition.
31 October - 2 November | World Hydropower Congress | Bali
Bringing together more than 1,000 decision-makers, this event is more than just a platform for discussion.
14-15 November 2023 | Conscious Brands & Circular Economy Summit | CSIR, Tshwane, South Africa
Register to attend a summit that promotes the adoption of circular economy practices within Africa’s business landscape.
Do you know of a friend or colleague that will enjoy this content?
VUKA Group, Ground Floor, Ebden House, Belmont Park, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7700, South Africa
Innovate UK KTN <upd...@info.ktn-uk.org> Unsubscribe
Dear Philip Costa
Welcome to the September edition of Innovate UK KTN's 'Clean Energy & Infrastructure' Newsletter. This month we're highlighting new reports across the Net Zero landscape, current funding opportunities and our latest Innovation Exchange challenges.
New report: Engaging communities in the energy revolution
A new analysis published by Innovate UK provides fresh analysis on the role of community engagement and communication in smart local energy system projects. The report, prepared by Climate Insights, draws on the experiences of the many projects in the UKRI-funded Prospering from the Energy Revolution programme and aims to inform future local energy developments.
Engaging local communities is critical to the net zero journey. As our energy system transforms, citizens effectively have a veto on delivery. They do not want to have things ‘happen’ to them, and imposing solutions won’t work. At the same time, if mobilised, people can be a powerful force for change and help to unlock the huge potential of place-based approaches to energy.
The new report analyses engagement approaches across projects in the programme, including factors such as finding early adopters, building trust and consent, using creativity and helping to deliver a fair energy transition.
Join the Circular Economy Innovation Network
For the past year, the Innovate UK KTN Circular Economy Innovation Network has been deeply involved in researching, validating, supporting the Wool industry to understand and promote the use of wool as a smart technical fibre.
It has been an incredible journey connecting with different sectors and industries, talking to many experts and discovering the many value-add uses that wool can have in a circular economy that are non-textile.
The work has gone beyond a simple evaluation of the market for wool and its uses. It has developed a Wool Innovation Action Plan and has focused on finding new technologies that can be applied to wool to push its growth and circular applications. Find out more about this journey and read the full article here.
>> Join the Circular Economy Innovation Network
Innovate UK KTN's Innovation Exchange is a cross sector program supporting innovation transfer by matching industry challenges to innovative companies from other sectors.
Current Live Challenges include:
- Longevity of Concrete Structures.
- Bi-Directional Global Logistics - Command, Control and Status.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations for modular building units.
- Transfer data to multiple nodes.
- Smart Low Voltage Fuse Carriers.
- Sustainable Ties for Subsea Mattresses.
- Contacting priority service register customers without mobile phones during power cuts.
- Intelligent Surveillance Trigger.
If you might have an innovative solution then why not think about taking the challenge? It could lead to the opportunity to pitch in front of the challenge holder.
Developing batteries for use in emerging economies?
The Faraday Institution is leading the UK Government’s Ayrton Challenge on Energy Storage (ACES) as part of UK international development funding for new energy storage R&D to support clean energy delivery in target regions. The organisation is leading a £5m R&D programme as part of a wider co-ordinated ACES package of at least £25m across a range of partners for skills development, technology accelerators, and venture and market building.
Interested in getting involved? Contact: andrew....@faraday.ac.uk
Game Changers: Identifying deformities in 500L drums opportunity
Innovate UK KTN is supporting FIS360 in the promotion of the Game Changers innovation programme, which finds solutions for complex nuclear industry challenges. This particular challenge for Sellafield Ltd is focused on 500L stainless steel drums in which uranium containing waste is stored. A method is required for accurately measuring all dimensions of the waste drums and identifying any deformities. The drums are contained within stillages, and Sellafield Ltd would prefer to be able to obtain drum measurements whilst they remain in their stillage.
Updates from the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
Round 3 Call for ideas:
In May this year SIF Round 3 was announced. This included a Call for Ideas against the agreed challenges. The Call for Ideas closed on Monday 21 August with an incredible 270 applications submitted. All applications are now with the Energy Network & System Operators for review before pitching sessions take place in September. Find out more about the Round 3 challenges on YouTube SIF Round 3 Innovation Challenge webinars.
Round 2 Show and Tells:
Find out more about our 53 Round 2 projects by watching our SIF Round 2 Discovery Project Show and Tells recordings on YouTube. Next month we will be announcing which Discovery projects have been successful in progressing to the Alpha stage.
And finally, don’t forget to book your place…
This year's Energy Innovation Summit takes place 31 October - 1 November 2023 at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool at the ACC. There will be plenty of opportunity for networking, roundtable discussions and being part of conversations that will continue our “Climb to the top”. For more information and to register your attendance visit the summit website.
Diversity and Inclusion investment readiness package of support - Expression of Interest (EOI)
Innovate UK is seeking to establish a tailored investment readiness package of support to unlock the potential of diverse talent. The purpose of the package of support is to level the playing field for all innovators, equipping them with the knowledge and understanding to navigate the private investment journey.
To design this new package of support, Innovate UK is promoting a collaborative approach. We are bringing together organisations from across the UK that have a depth of experience in promoting diversity and inclusion in investment, and deep understanding of the barriers faced by groups currently considered by Innovate UK as underrepresented in innovation. This is informed by the outcomes of a market consultation event held with key stakeholders on 28 March 2023.
Innovate UK invites interested organisations and companies across the UK with a track record in supporting innovators from diverse backgrounds to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be part of designing the package of support in a collaborative two-day workshop on 27 - 28 September 2023, in London.
Net Zero Chemical Manufacturing - Unlocking the power of biotechnology to transform the UK chemicals webinar
Thu, 14 September 2023, 10:00 - 12:30 | Online
Innovate UK KTN, The Bioeconomy Cluster Builder and Chemical Industries Association are delighted to host this webinar dedicated to exchanging knowledge and building connections between the chemical manufacturing and industrial biotechnology (IB) communities.
Join us on 14th September to learn how biotechnology is transforming global chemical manufacturing and to discover how the Bioeconomy Cluster Builder can help you connect with the right people and resources to support your ambitions in this area.
Future of the Ofwat Innovation Fund webinar
Tue, 19 September 2023, 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
We would like your help in developing the Innovation Fund for 2025-2030 to ensure that the UK water industry is well placed to address future challenges. Your views and experiences will contribute to this thinking.
You will hear the latest thinking from government futures teams and what that might mean for the water sector and then you will be asked to share your thoughts and ideas, via an online questionnaire, on how the Innovation Fund should evolve to ensure it can continue to support new ideas and solutions to meet the challenges water companies will face from 2025-2030 and beyond.
Actioning Skills Development for a Just Energy Transition in South Africa
Fri, 20 September 2023, 11:00 - 13:00 GMT+2 | Online
Innovate UK KTN in partnership with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) South Africa, and the Presidential Climate Commission, have come together to explore and discuss the current skills landscape in South Africa, and how our move to a greener economy affects employment and skills development strategies.
In this knowledge sharing webinar, we will hear from specialists in the skills industry in South Africa about the current challenges and opportunities we face and learn how international governments have overcome similar skills shortages through just transitions. We will discuss the nuances of the South African context compared to other economies and explore potential solutions that both private and public entities can collaborate on to solve these issues. In this three-part panel, you will have the opportunity to learn from entities such as Green Cape, Energy and Utility Skills, and more.
BridgeAI: Residential Innovation Labs
05 - 29 September 2023, 09:00 - 17:00 | Various, UK
The BridgeAI Innovation Labs present a unique opportunity for UK organisations to collaborate on research and development proposals that will shape cutting-edge AI-powered products and services.
Unlock the potential to enhance business productivity in our target sectors: Agri-food, Construction, Creative Industries, and Transport. Participating cohorts will also have the chance to compete for grant funding to bring their projects to life.
Embrace a design-led approach, think outside the box, and engage with challenge owners to uncover novel solutions in a collaborative environment.