3rd International Conference on Solar Technologies and Hybrid Mini-Grids to improve energy access
On behalf of the Partner Organizations (EnDev, GIZ, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, MECS, REPIC, Siemens Stiftung, SNV and WISE) and the Scientific Committee, it is our pleasure to invite you to the 3rd International Conference on Solar Technologies and Hybrid Mini-Grids to improve energy access, at the Unversitat de les Illes Balears in Palma, Spain on April 1-3, 2020.
As in the past, the main objective of our practitioner’s conference is the exchange of implementation knowhow between experts from industry, academia and development institutions working in the field of decentralized energy. The conference spans technical, economic, business, social, policy and programme implementation aspects of solar technologies and mini-grids with the aim of sharing hands-on project experience, learning from each other and networking.
Solar technologies (including photovoltaic and solar thermal) are an increasingly viable energy access option, and key to reaching universal access across the globe. As envisioned by SEforALL and the SDGs, access to modern energy is an important enabler that helps improve quality of life on household level, increase livelihood opportunities and enterprise productivity and to professionalize public and social services. Embedding energy access in cross-sectorial activities
can maximize development impact. For example, powering health centers and schools will only lead to better medical services and education if the necessary resources for appliances are available and proper management systems are in place. In the same vein, micro and small enterprises often invest in efficient equipment only if they have access to finance and to new markets; solar crop drying or process heat can increase significantly the local added value of fresh produce if the appropriate value chains are targeted; and mini-grids can transform rural communities only if a whole set of additional boundary conditions on village are met.
Therefore, it is our intention that the conference discusses the nexus of energy access with other sectors more in depth, from a pragmatic implementer’s point of view. The conference will invite acknowledged experts to provide an overview about the status in different access market segments and technology areas – but also provide specifically flagged room for roundtables, posters, and participants who want to present their results from scientific research or fieldwork.
The conference programme with 73 lectures, 44 poster presentations and expert round tables is online on our usual conference webpage provided. The speakers come from 32 countries on five continents. The keynote speaker for our opening session will be Mrs Bärbel Höhn, Special Representative for Energy in Africa of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The opening session “Progress and Challenges in Achieving SDG 7” will give a comprehensive overview on all relevant topics of our conference.
The expert round tables on various topics, the parallel sessions and the two side events in the runup to and after the conference round off what we think is a well-balanced conference programme.
This conference is also a good platform for companies to present their products and services to hands-on practitioners from all over the world. The trade and poster exhibition will take place under the Bedouin tent roof in the atrium of the University – all coffee breaks and the welcome reception on the first evening will take place there, too. We are offering interesting sponsoring packages including an exhibition area, but it is also possible to book only an exhibition area. Should you have special ideas or wishes how you would like to present your company, just let us know. We usually find a good solution.
The deadline early Bird fee is February 7, 2020.
As conference chairmen, we would be pleased to welcome you at the conference!
Xavier Vallvé, Trama TecnoAmbiental, Spain
Dr. Carsten Hellpap, iiDevelopment, Germany