Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The focus of the Southern African Training and Demonstration Initiative, SOLTRAIN, is to support and contribute to the implementation of the renewable energy policies of the selected target countries that enhance the use of solar thermal systems.

The outcome of SOLTRAIN IV is strengthened capacity of the partner institutions and governmental bodies of the selected partner countries to implement their sustainable national solar thermal roll-out programs.

Expected results

The outputs of SOLTRAIN IV are

- 1,200 persons (targeted at different levels and stakeholder groups in the value chain of solar thermal technology) are trained in 90 training courses in design, installation, maintenance and quality assurance of solar thermal systems

- 24 site visits with 250 participants are carried out to show the potentials and results of solar thermal systems

- 6 national Solar Thermal Roadmaps (one per each country) are under implementation

- 6 annual solar thermal statistical data (one per each country) are available

- 100 solar thermal demonstration systems for various applications (smaller and bigger plants will be set up in social institutions and small and medium enterprises at which they will contribute to water heating, cooling and the generation of process heat) are installed, in operation and quality checked and

- at least 2,500 MWh electricity are saved annually and 430 tons of CO2 emission are avoided.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The target group are the about 1.450 participants of the different training courses and site visits. The beneficiaries are staff members, occupants and patients of social institutions, students, guest of tourism facilities like lodges and hotels as well as small and medium enterprises. It is estimated that about 7,000 persons will annually directly benefit from these demonstration systems by reducing energy bills and by improving the hygienic standard.

The implementing agency of SOLTRAIN is AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC). AEE INTEC is an Austrian research institute active in solar thermal energy research, training and demonstration.The institute has been active worldwide in renewable energy and energy efficiency for more than 30 years.

The local partners in the six SADC Member States are

- the Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana

- the Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC) in Lesotho

- the Namibian Energy Institute (NEI), University of Science and Technology in Namibia

- the National Company for Science and Technology Parks (ENPCT) in Mozambique

- the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe

- the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), University of Stellenbosch and

- the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) in South Africa.

Activities

SOLTRAIN’s approach is based on the national and regional development targets as well as on the results and lessons learnt in the previous phases. To ensure a broad deployment of solar thermal Systems, a coherent strategy to promote this technology is also reflected in six planned work packages:

- Work package number 1: implementation of the national Solar Thermal Roadmap

- Work package number 2: training and research & development activities

- Work package number 3: demonstration systems

- Work package number 4: monitoring, quality control and data acquisition

- Work package number 5: awareness raising and dissemination of results

- Work package number 6: project management, steering and evaluation.

The work packages are targeted on all partners in the partner countries. Due to the different state of different political awareness and penetration of the solar thermal market the concrete work to be carried out is adjusted to the needs of the partner countries.

Context

The Southern African Region (SADC) still faces significant challenges in energy development and usage. SADC Member States have an excellent solar irradiation with more than 2000 kWh/m² annual radiation and the International Energy Agency estimates that solar thermal systems could meet about 70 – 80% of the region’s low-temperature heating and cooling demand. Since a considerable share (40 – 50%) of the electricity is used for hot water preparation solar water heaters would be one of the major options in order to reduce the electricity demand and thus the environmental effects like CO2 emissions caused by fossil power plants.

Austria’s engagement in the SADC Region, amongst others focusses on infrastructure with a thematic focus in renewable energy. Affordable access to clean and healthy sustainable energy services for cooking, lighting, heating and cooling as well as other forms of utilisation is a major prerequisite for sustainable human development in the Region.

SOLTRAIN is a regional initiative on capacity building and demonstration of solar thermal systems in the SADC region. SOLTRAIN successfully raises awareness and demonstrates what can be done off-grid with solar thermal. SOLTRAIN in its fourth phase targets the SADC Member States Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.