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ALGAEMICRO
July 26, 2024Objectives Pursued
Reffect Africa aims to implement in Morocco, Ghana, and South Africa the construction of renewable energy generators (gasifiers) powered by local agricultural waste. This new energy generation system will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and facilitate access to new sources of renewable energy (electric and thermal), improving the well-being and quality of life of the target populations.
With the goal of closing all water-energy-food links, the project works on obtaining biochar from the gasifier. Ficosterra will contribute to improving this by-product to obtain a valuable fertilizer for local farmers. The pilot installations also include a small water laboratory to provide their community with basic analysis services, which are much needed in these populations.
Starting Situation
Africa has experienced rapid economic growth so far this century while also increasing its energy demand.
However, about 600 million people in Africa still do not have access to electricity (IEA data, 2019), and approximately 730 million people continue to depend on traditional energy systems based on a mix of biomass and fossil fuels.
A solid and reliable electricity system is today the backbone of any modern economy, especially in the context of the digital revolution we are experiencing.
If African countries want to see their economies transformed, access to electricity must be a priority, as well as ensuring continuity and avoiding the voltage drops that currently cause power outages for hours or entire days.
This situation is an ideal breeding ground for the birth of initiatives and innovative projects that aim to improve current energy supply systems under the prism of sustainability and environmental respect.
Reffect Africa: A Firm Commitment to New Sources of Renewable Energy from Agro-Food Waste
Reffect Africa is an ambitious international cooperation initiative to provide renewable energy to three African populations.
Co-financed by the European Union (agreement number 101036900), it has a total budget of €8,100,151.25 and a grant of €6,962,820.78 from the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation for the period 2014-2020 to finance initiatives and projects of research, technological development, demonstration, and innovation of clear European added value).
The Reffect Africa project is composed of a consortium of twenty-nine European and African partners (including Ficosterra), a clear example of public-private collaboration that integrates innovative SMEs, NGOs, and political institutions. All these bodies and entities are led by the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Polytechnic School of the University of Jaén (Spain).
The program aims to work over five years (2021-2026) on the construction of three biomass gasifiers capable of providing solid, reliable, clean, and renewable energy from the valorization of agro-food waste to supply electricity and other secondary goods and services to three small localities in northern, central, and southern Africa, reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and environmental impact by 50% to 100%.
“This project will not only have a significant impact on reducing the tons of waste sent to landfills but also provide energy solutions to both grid-connected and off-grid communities and integrate these energy sources into the existing energy system.”
Nevana Srikissoon, project director of REFFECT AFRICA in Urban, South Africa
Project No: 101036900 – Horizon 2020, European Union
Funding: €110,000.00
Lead Partner: UNIVERSITY OF JAÉN – Spain
Start Date: November 1, 2021
End Date: October 31, 2026
Collaborators:9 Higher or Secondary Education Institutions
Aswan University; University De Blida 1; University Of Energy And Natural Resources; University Of Port-Harcourt; Durban University Of Technology; Universidad Eduardo Mondlane; Makerere University; Universidad de Pisa; Universidad de Huelva
14 Private for-profit entities (excluding higher or secondary education institutions):
Dar Azzaytoun ; Viaraya ; Nr Gyl ; Senengineering International ; Bwiri Enterprise Limited ; Instituto Tecnologico De Canarias,S.A. ; Ficosterra ; Ankron Water Services Gmbh ; Adrian Letzner ; Tecnologie Per La Riduzione Delle Emissioni Enginnering Srl ; Tifeo Srl ; Irradiare Investigacao e Desenvolvimento em Engenharia e Ambiente Lda ; Solar FM; Cooperative Zoyout Essaouira
2 Research Organizations:
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Institut De L’olivier
Ethekwini Municipality