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29 January to 31 February 2008
European Conference on Local Energy Action: The 7th Annual Event for Energy Management Agents in Europe as part of: EUSEW 2008: Second EU Sustainable Energy Week Brussels, Belgium and Live on the Internet  Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Event Renewable Energies for Rural Electrification: a win-win combination Monday 28 January 2008 |
Seventh ManagEnergy Annual Conference
Roadmap and Overview of the Local Energy Actors Cluster Events
Video Recordings: Renewable Energies for Rural Electrification: a win-win combination
Video Recordings: All EUSEW Events
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| Renewable Energies for Rural Electrification: a win-win combination |
| Monday 28 January 2008 - AM - EN |
 Event Organiser: Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) The Alliance for Rural Electrification is an international non-profit organization founded in 2006 by a number of European renewable energy Industry Associations: the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA), European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). The objective of this event was to present the activities of the Alliance, the actions of its members and to pass on several key messages for the future of the European actions towards renewables and rural electrification. ARE wants to raise awareness on the potential of renewable energy technologies in the fight against climate change and poverty alleviation. It wants to emphasize the crucial role that the renewable energy industry is playing in the electrification of rural areas as a provider of suitable solutions already adapted to the markets; but also to underline the commitment of the private sector towards sustainable development through the development of Corporate Social Responsibility actions on rural electrification. Finally, it wants to open a debate on the European Union's actions, their necessity, successes and failures. The issue of the Rural Electrification's development is often forgotten and the EUSEW was considered to be the occasion to place it, as well as the off-grid market, in the centre of the European work on renewable energies. Agenda Presentation of the Alliance for Rural Electrification Mr. Ernesto Macias, Communication and External Affairs General Manager, Isofoton, President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification Suitable technological solutions for rural electrification: The first outcomes of the ARE Working Group on Hybrid systems and the state of the art of the technology were presented within this session. Hybrid systems for rural electrification and beyond Presentation by Mr. Michael Wollny, Director Sales Off-Grid Solutions, SMA, Financing schemes for rural electrification: Providing electricity to rural populations in the developing world is a complex task. However, solutions using decentralized renewable energy already exist. For these solutions to be implemented, financial approaches suited to the scale and characteristics of off-grid Renewable Energy projects are also needed. The different socio-economic and political circumstances of rural communities point out that there is not one financial solution but several. Encouraging and facilitating private investment for rural electrification projects Presentation by Mr. Paul Van Aalst, Director E+Co Europe Micro-Finance and rural electrification Presentation by Mrs. Pascale Geslain, Microfinance expert, Planet Finance Case studies on rural electrification with RES: Lessons learned and best practices on rural electrification with renewable energies will be presented through a number of case studies based on PV and Pico-Hydro technologies. It will be also the occasion to present practical experiences of rural electrification worldwide. Rural Electrification in the Philippines Presentation by Ms. Veronica Musselli, Project Coordinator, BP Solar Rural Electrification in Madagascar Presentation by Mr. Roger Renucci, President, AZ industry The positive concept of energy storage in South Africa Presentation by Mr. Paul Horsman, Project Co-ordinator, Greenpeace Rural electrification within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility: Sustainable development is becoming higher in the agenda of the private sector and the concept of corporate social responsibility is gradually being expanded towards renewable energies, developing countries and rural electrification. To prove it right, an important company presented their CSR policies and the potential that CSR actions represent for rural electrification throughout the world. Rural Electrification Program: A different approach to Corporate Social Responsibility Presentation by Mr. Alvaro Ponce, Manager for the CSR policy, Isofoton Rural electrification and the off-grid Market: opportunities for renewable energies: 1.3 Billion People living in rural areas in developing countries do not have access to electricity. Access to energy is key to reach sustainable development and renewable energies can provide the best adapted solution for rural electrification. Therefore, the off-grid markets represent a sound opportunity for the renewable energy Industry. Renewable off grid markets: potential and prospects Presentation by Mr. Jan Oliver Kessler, Portfolio Manager Off-grid Products, CONERGY The European Union Actions and tools towards rural electrification in developing countries: The European Union is the first development donor in the world and represents a key actor at the international level for many fundamental questions of our time: Climate Change, development of the world's poorest areas, humanitarian assistance etc. Therefore, in the framework of an event highlighting the cross-sectorial importance of rural electrification, it is also fundamental to present the EC's views and work (developed or planned) on this issue. The role of rural electrification within the EU-Africa Energy Partnership Presentation by Mr. Rui Costa The EU ACP energy facility Presentation by Mr. Pablo Leunda Martiarena, Programme Managers, European Commission, DG Aidco Closing Mr. Ernesto Macias, Communication and External Affairs General Manager, Isofoton, President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification |