09/04/2021
The Institute of Atmospheric Pollution of the Italian National Research Council, Cnr-Iia, and RES4Africa Foundation, a European foundation based in Rome that has been involved since 2012 in promoting the use of renewable energy in Africa, have launched a program of activities aimed at international cooperation within the Region
The scientific research and technological support of Cnr-Iia focuses on atmospheric pollution and is made possible by the presence of it’s researchers within excellent national and international networks. This is combined with the activity carried out by RES4Africa, which is focused on the use of renewable energy and the spread of energy efficiency measures, as well as the creation of a favorable framework for investments throughout the African continent, from the Mediterranean to the sub-Saharan area and South Africa.
The two institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding which provides an outline for the conduct of the joint activities for the distribution and efficient integration of renewables and the reduction of pollutants in emissions and in ambient air. This activity is supported by studies and research activities in the renewable energy market of the Region and by the creation of a network of expert and carefully trained professionals.
The experience begins with an international partnership that involves institutions from various European countries in addition to Italy (precisely with Cnr-Iia and RES4Africa together with ESI Spa, IdromeccanicaLucchiniSpa, OpeneconomicsSrl, EngreenSrl), such as France (Akuo Energy Sas, CEA), Germany (FerntechGmbh) and Spain (Comillas), and for the African region Tunisia (Comete International), Burkina Faso (2ie) and Mali (Amader, SaKougne, CediamSa).
The collaboration is oriented towards the participation of the Horizon program "Accelerating the green transition and energy access partnership with Africa" through the WE4I project which aims to validate technical and financial sustainability of an innovative and scalable business-for-impact model for green mini-grids projects, based on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach, to boost universal access to energy (electricity and heating), to promote energy efficiency of the agri-food value chain, and to drive the transition towards a sustainable economic model by exploiting the circular economy potential. This will contribute to the improvement of the population’s socio-economic situation (also through productive use of energy and job creation), environmental and health benefits, while strengthening EU/Africa partnership in the RE landscape.
For more information:
Roberta Cristallo, Cnr-Iia Press Office, comunicazione@iia.cnr.it
website: https://iia.cnr.it/
Ufficio stampa:
Emanuele Guerrini
Cnr Press Office - Rome - Italy
emanuele.guerrini@cnr.it
06.4993.2644
Responsabile Unità Ufficio stampa:
Marco Ferrazzoli
marco.ferrazzoli@cnr.it
ufficiostampa@cnr.it
06 4993 3383