Three lecturers from the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano recently conducted an important field training activity in Ghana (Africa), which took place from 20 to 31 May 2024. The event, part of the Energy Modelling Platform for Africa 2024 (EMP-A 2024) organised by Climate Compatible Growth, was dedicated to promoting sustainable energy development on the African continent.

The course, entitled ‘Microgridspy and RAMP’, focused on the use of two open source models (MicrogGridsPy and RAMP) to optimise rural microgrids. Participants learned how to size microgrids using local renewable resources and how to estimate the electricity needs of remote communities by analysing data on household appliance use and ownership.

The participants, who came from a variety of professional backgrounds including government agencies, universities, NGOs and international organisations, attended two weeks of lectures and activities led by lecturers Riccardo Mereu, Nicolò Stevanato and Alessandro Onori at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). 

Each participant worked on a specific project in a community in their home country, with the aim of expanding a micro-grid to promote energy access and sustainable development in the local community. These projects are critical to promoting the use of renewable energy and improving the livelihoods of rural communities.