Renewable Energy for Africa

Africa is a very rich continent; that is, in terms of resources. Africa is affluent in renewable resources that could power its development. From geothermal heat within its rift valleys, to the dozens of rivers and tributaries that could run microhydro systems; there is wind to be harvested on all its coasts and even possibly on the microscale within its interior, literally tons of biowaste that could be digested and utilized each day, and miles upon miles of deserts filled with some of the world's most potent solar radiation - enough to meet the entire world's current energy needs within a minor percentage of the Saharan desert.

In this report by IES intern Mallika Nair,  nine potential renewable energy technologies for Africa are highlighted, using the abundant, non-polluting and non-depleting energy available from the earth, wind, sun, and water. For each energy an overview is given of how the latest technology works, its benefits, costs, and challenges to its use, including examples of pilot projects and rough assessments where in Africa it is most suitable for implementation.

Publication website ( PDF - www.envirosecurity.org )

Related Organisation

• Institute for Environmental Security (IES)

Themes

8 - Natural disasters and climate change mitigation and adaptation 

Subjects

BEN Bio-energy
CSP Concentrated Solar Power
DAM Dams
ENE Energy
NRE New and Renewable Energy
SCI Science & Technology

Scope Areas

AFRICA