Global Insights, Local Realities: The Feasibility of Developed World Solutions in Africa's Energy Transition!
25 januari 2024 12:45 t/m 13:30 - Locatie: Faculty of EWI, Mekelweg 4 Hall Pi. HB.01.580 | Zet in mijn agenda
By: Mohammad Amin Tahavori, researcher at VITO/EnergyVille, specializes in energy system modeling and sustainable energy system and policy design, Belgium
Date: Thursday 25 January 2024
Time: 12:45-13:30 (free lunch from 12:15)
Location: Faculty of EWI, Mekelweg 4 Hall Pi. HB.01.580
Moderator: Dr Francesco Lombardi
Recording: link to the recording of the lecture here
Abstract: As the global community struggles with the urgent need to address climate change, African nations emerge as central players, facing a unique confluence of challenges and opportunities in their pursuit of ambitious energy-related goals. Despite being the least responsible for climate change, these nations bear the brunt of its impact. Rapid economic growth in African countries, however, positions them to play a significant role in shaping the future global energy landscape. While striving to contribute meaningfully to global energy sustainability, African nations are facing hurdles ranging from infrastructural limitations to policy intricacies. In response to these challenges, the developed world is extending its knowledge and technology to assist African countries. However, a critical question emerges: Do solutions proven in the developed world truly align with the diverse contexts of African countries?
During this talk, we will scrutinize these complex challenges to foster a deeper understanding of the appropriateness of developed world solutions for a sustainable energy transition in African context from the initial planning phase to technological assessment and execution.
Bio: Mohammad Amin Tahavori, a researcher at VITO/EnergyVille, specializes in energy system modeling and sustainable energy system and policy design. His current focus revolves around collaborative efforts with governmental bodies and research institutes in several countries in the global south, including Colombia, Morocco, Malawi, Uganda, and Mozambique towards a sustainable long term energy planning and policy design. Amin actively contributes to this through helping the countries with improving National Energy Information Systems, refining energy modeling capabilities, and facilitating climate communication. These initiatives align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Amin's research extends to the critical topic of energy access in Africa, with a primary emphasis on understanding the dynamics of energy consumption and demand evolution in rural contexts. His work also involves assessing the tangible impacts of energy access on individuals' lives.
A graduate with a Master's degree in Energy Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Amin's earlier career focused on integrating energy system dynamics with economic models with a focus on the energy transition in the European context.
