MEASURES project improves energy planning in the global South

The interdisciplinary project Modeling Approaches for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Planning (MEASURES) investigates the prerequisites for sustainable energy systems in countries of the Global South. Conventional model approaches are expanded to include climate-related changes, socio-economic factors and technical challenges. An international research project led by Mashael Yazdanie, group leader at the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), has carried out a case study in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Structural conditions that are neglected in classic models were taken into account, Empa explains in a press release. Examples cited include climate-related extreme weather situations, migration, informal economic systems, unstable currencies and suppressed energy demand due to a lack of infrastructure or resources. A modeling tool was used to run through various scenarios for Accra.

For Accra, the model shows that investments in photovoltaics and wind energy should be made as early as possible, as they are most affected by the currency decline. The electrification of the transportation system and the collection and energy recovery of waste are also recommended. According to the researchers, the approaches "can be used globally to support the transition to resilient and sustainable energy systems". ce/hs