Energy

This partnership aims to enhance sustainable development and advance climate action initiatives throughout the continent. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has formed a significant partnership with Africa50, a leading pan-African infrastructure investment and asset management firm

As part of this agreement, Africa50 has committed up to US$100mn to support and co-finance renewable energy transition projects and infrastructure across Africa through IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform. This partnership aims to enhance sustainable development and advance climate action initiatives throughout the continent.

The agreement was signed on the margins of the OPEC Fund Development Forum in Vienna by IRENA director-general, Francesco La Camera and Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobissé.

"For the first time in a decade, the most recent data show that the number of people without access to electricity has increased significantly," said La Camera. "With Sub-Saharan Africa representing the majority of those impacted, we must be diligent and committed to urgently addressing this growing issue. Renewables represent the most effective, climate-safe solution available, and this partnership with Africa50 will be pivotal in strengthening the ETAF Platform’s impact across Africa."

Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50 said, “The continent must focus on the dual goals of reducing emissions and accelerating economic development. Investing in and developing transformational renewable infrastructure is a critical step to achieving net-zero. The IRENA ETAF platform will be an important launchpad to scaling and accelerating our investments into renewable projects that will ultimately reduce the negative impact of climate change on our people and help build a more sustainable future”.

Established in 2021 with backing from the United Arab Emirates, the Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform aims to scale up renewable energy projects that align with developing countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It seeks to enhance energy access and security for communities, promote economic growth, and foster diversification.

Africa50's recent involvement has expanded the ETAF Platform to include 14 partners, collectively pledging US$4.15bn. This growth underscores its status as a leading inclusive financing platform for transitioning to renewable energy. The partnership capitalises on IRENA's global membership to attract project proposals through the ETAF Platform and Africa50's expertise in project development and equity financing.

In September 2024, IRENA plans to co-host the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) Investment Forum with the Kenyan government. This event aims to facilitate connections between project developers and potential financiers through a curated matchmaking program. It will showcase projects from APRA partners and other international organisations in support of APRA's development objectives.

Excess heat in the EU alone represents an estimated 2,860 TWh/y. (Image source: Danfoss)

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Danfoss are collaborating to deliver the HPE IT Sustainability Services – Data Centre Heat Recovery, an off-the shelf heat recovery module, helping organisations manage and value excess heat as they transition towards more sustainable IT facilities.

The rapid integration of AI technologies across organisations and businesses is expected to have a dramatic increase in the power demand and utilisation of AI optimised IT infrastructure.

According to the International Energy Agency, by 2026 the AI industry is expected to have grown exponentially to consume at least ten times its electricity demand in 2023. To mitigate these challenges, IT leaders and data centre facility operators are taking action to reduce energy usage, such as implementing modern power-efficient capabilities and improved cooling systems. 

Excess heat in the EU alone represents an estimated 2,860 TWh/y, almost equal to the EU’s total energy demand for heat and hot water in residential and service sector buildings. The flow of excess heat from data centres is uninterruptible and therefore constitutes a very reliable source of clean energy.

“Our strategic partnership with HPE is a great example of how we revolutionise building and decarbonising the data centre industry together with customers,” said Jürgen Fischer, president, Danfoss Climate Solutions. “With this latest cross-industry partnership we’re building the blueprint for the next generation of sustainable data centres – using technologies available today”.

“The Data Center industry is booming in MENA, and at Danfoss we are committed to providing solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. This is one of the excellent initiatives taken, where we lead the way in providing the industry with the right know-how and paving the way to greener data centres”, added Ziad Al Bawaliz, regional president at Danfoss Turkey, Middle East and Africa.

Modularity's advantages and flexibility

Direct liquid cooling (DLC) technologies are included into HPE's MDC to optimise energy production and distribution and increase energy efficiency by more than 20%, resulting in significant energy savings.

The compact design maximises the temperature differential between the input and exit, which encourages the capture of excess heat, and minimises energy loss by shortening the distance for the transmission of energy and cooling fluid. Additionally, the MDC's flexibility and the removal of heavy industrial components significantly shorten the time to market by eliminating the requirement for pricey, traditional building materials.

Three times as fast as with typical data centres, deployment can be completed in as little as six months, as opposed to eighteen.

Last but not least, the MDCs' smaller footprint and adaptability enable their placement close to data creation locations, which lessens the energy impact and bottlenecks related to sophisticated networking solutions and data transfer while simultaneously promoting improved data governance and security.

“At HPE, we believe in the power of collaboration to create transformative solutions,” said Sue Preston, vice president and general manager, WW Advisory & Professional Services & Managed Services, HPE. “Our partnership with Danfoss brings together HPE’s innovative modular data centre with Danfoss’ groundbreaking heat reuse technology. Together, we are not just adding value; we are multiplying it. By harnessing the typically untapped resource of waste heat, turning waste into worth, showing the future of energy usage is efficient, intelligent, and, most importantly, achievable now.”

The opening ceremony. (Image source: Daikin)

A new training centre by Daikin, a manufacturer of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and refrigeration) systems, has opened in Côte d'Ivoire. This programme demonstrates Daikin's dedication to developing regional talent and advancing technical proficiency in the HVAC industry. 

The centre was established through a partnership between Daikin and the Côte d'Ivoire Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship. Its goal is to successfully place young technicians in jobs by addressing the problem of matching training with employment. The facility, which is situated in Abidjan, is made to offer training courses that are meant to give experts the abilities and information necessary to progress the HVAC sector. Daikin hopes that this investment would help Côte d'Ivoire's economy grow by enhancing the skills of the local labour force and encouraging environmentally friendly business practices.

A comprehensive range of technical disciplines, including installation methods, maintenance protocols, and the most recent developments in HVAC technology, will be covered in the facility's training programmes. The programme will provide participants with industry-specific educational materials and practical instruction conducted by seasoned teachers.

Daikin's new building highlights the company's dedication to environmental management and sustainability in addition to improving technical capabilities. The business is still committed to supporting Côte d'Ivoire's sustainable development goals and minimising environmental effect through the promotion of energy-efficient solutions.

"We are excited to inaugurate our new training facility in Côte d'Ivoire," said Sami Monastiriotis, Africa sales manager at Daikin Middle East and Africa. “In over 30 countries, Daikin has a dedicated mission in Africa: to create a positive impact on the continent through our solutions, services, and core values. Our ambitions include gaining market leadership, upskilling local talent, expanding our presence, and advocating for environmental stewardship. This initiative aligns with our long-term vision to cultivate a skilled workforce and contribute to the growth of the HVAC industry in the region. Through world-class training programmes, we aim to empower individuals with the expertise to deliver exceptional service and drive innovation.”

Koffi N’Guessan, Minister of Technical Education of Côte d'Ivoire, said, "This project could not have come into being without Daikin's commitment, as they have also established similar centres in other African countries. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the representatives of Daikin for their effective presence and for the trust they have placed in our country through the METFPA."

Eaton's system optimises renewable energy use from sources like photovoltaic panels. (Image source: Eaton)

Intelligent power management company Eaton has launched its latest energy storage solution, xStorage Hybrid, aimed at simplifying the energy transition for residential and light commercial buildings.

xStorage Hybrid includes a range of single and multi-phase battery systems that can be integrated with Eaton’s pre-wired distribution boards and power protection boxes.

This system optimises renewable energy use from sources like photovoltaic panels while balancing grid energy consumption, enhancing energy availability, lowering CO2 emissions, and reducing energy bills.

It also provides a reliable backup power source for buildings.

Made for convenience

For installers, xStorage Hybrid offers a variety of options to customise the system according to customer needs. Additionally, firmware updates and battery management can be managed remotely, providing added convenience.

For building owners, xStorage Hybrid is suitable for both new-build and retrofit projects, aiding in compliance with regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. In the European Union, this includes forthcoming regulations based on the newly approved Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The integration of xStorage Hybrid with power management controls and pre-wired distribution boards supports Eaton’s Buildings as a grid approach, transforming buildings into energy hubs ready for future energy demands, including electric vehicle charging.

This is a key part of Eaton’s 'Everything as a Grid strategy', which focuses on creating flexible energy systems to accelerate decarbonisation, enhance resilience, reduce energy costs, and generate new revenue streams.