The Institute on Air Pollution of the 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 cooperation international within the Region.
The research and scientific and technological support of Cnr-Iia matured on the subject of atmospheric pollution, also thanks to the presence of its researchers in national and international networks of excellence, combine with the activity carried out by RES4Africa aimed at the use of renewable energy, the spread of energy efficiency measures and 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 for joint activities for the diffusion and efficient integration of renewables and the reduction of pollutants in emissions and in ambient air. This activity is supported by analyzes, 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 partnership arises from participation in the Horizon call "Accelerating the green transition and energy access partnership with Africa"With the project WE4I which aims to validate the technical and financial sustainability of an innovative and scalable business-for-impact model for green mini-network projects, based on the nexus Water-Energy-Food (WEF) approach, to promote universal access energy (electricity and heating), promote the energy efficiency of the agri-food value chain and lead the transition towards a sustainable economic model by exploiting the potential of the circular economy. In this context, the importance of research enhancement is confirmed, understood both as a way to operate jointly with the business world on the basis of the innovation needs required by the market, and as an engine to give competitive acceleration to certain industrial sectors that see in green economy the lever for new development prospects.
The action contributes to achieving high socio-economic (including through the productive use of energy and job creation), environmental and health benefits, while strengthening the EU / Africa partnership in the RE landscape.