Agenda

All session times are in West Africa Standard Time (UTC/GMT +1). 

Timing of sessions and room locations are subject to change.

SYMPOSIUM DAY 1

TUESDAY, MAY 7

8:20 AM - 9:00 AM | Accreditation Hall

Registration

9:00 AM - 9:25 AM | Udeze Hall

Opening Ceremony

Welcome address: 


Keynote on the potential of Open Source to be leveraged for achieving SDG7

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | Udeze Hall

What do we have in common?

Join a fun networking activity that will allow you to quickly connect with other participants.

9:50 AM - 10:40 AM | Udeze Hall

Our Venn Diagram

What are open source solution providers working on? What do practitioners need from open source solutions? What do the donors support? This will be a panel discussion about cases where donor interest, practitioner needs, and open source solution developers intersect. What were the challenges they had to overcome, and what were the outcomes? Can any of these be scaled, and if yes, under which conditions? 

10:40 AM - 10: 55 AM

Coffee break

11:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Udeze Hall

Opportunities and Lessons Learned from developing and adopting OpenSource Technologies in a Commercial Product 

Get ready to be captivated by the electrifying insights from industry trailblazers in the African Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) space. Join us as business leaders and developers unveil their experience with developing and adopting Open Source solutions into their businesses, igniting a discussion that delves  into the benefits, opportunities, challenges and lessons learned of their journey.

Each story promises to unveil the triumphs and tribulations that have shaped their path, offering a panoramic view of the transformative power of Open Source in commercial operations. We're not looking only for glossy success stories; we want the real, practical challenges of making Open Source work in a commercial setting. Don't miss out on this unparalleled opportunity to unlock the secrets of success in the ever-evolving landscape of Open Source.

11:55 AM - 12:45 PM | Udeze Hall

Open Source Geospatial Solutions in Energy Access

There has been a rapid expansion in the use of geospatial data and technology to support decision-making within the energy access space in the past decade. Open-source solutions make an important contribution to global energy access goals by enabling a data-driven approach while also preserving resources and limiting over-reliance on technical expertise. 

This session introduces open-source geospatial solutions across various dimensions of energy access, including resource assessment, demand assessment, integrated planning, and sector-specific applications. The tool developers will present the background and objectives of their work, along with the features and impact that each tool offers as well as the way forward. 

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

Lunch provided by the Symposium

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM | Udeze Hall

Open Source for Climate finance and monitoring, reporting and verification: A history of transparency, collaboration and Open Source technology 

For corporations, buying Distributed Renewable Energy Certificates (D-RECs) is a direct action toward a clean, just, and equitable energy transition, directly linking them with small-scale, distributed renewable energy projects. By participating, corporations not only contribute to sustainability goals but also unlock global environmental markets for distributed energy projects, demonstrating the impact of collaborative and innovative financing in energy access. Distributed Renewable Energy Certificates (D-RECs) are sourced from high-impact Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) projects, including off-grid, mini-grid, etc. from the global south; these projects not only have environmental benefits but also directly elevate social & community conditions. 

The D-RECs infrastructure is an open-source platform which is used for aggregating and verifying the generation data. The open-source nature of the D-REC platform that generates and verifies the D-RECs ensures transparency and traceability, so that the very foundation of the DREC building blocks can be trusted, which is crucial for corporate buyers.
The history of D-RECs is a history of open and joint collaboration of entities that can be seen as competitors in the first place but that understood that working together, they will benefit mutually in developing the required open infrastructure. Stimulate an ecosystem and create a market for D-REcs. 

This session will shed light on the power of collaboration and open source in the development of groundbreaking and innovative financing mechanisms for Energy Access.

2:35 PM - 3:25 PM | Udeze Hall

The Role of Academia in Scaling the Impact of Open Source Solutions 

In this session we delve into the pivotal role of academia in driving impactful open source solutions in the realm of energy access. How can academia accelerate the scalability of innovative open source solutions? How can we facilitate cross geography / cross product cooperation? When can we leverage open vs closed source solutions? 

3:25 PM  - 3:45 PM

Coffee break

3:45 PM - 4:25 PM | Udeze Hall

Open Source Geeks

Bridging the Divide for More Innovation

Anita Ihuman

Developer Advocate, MetalBear


Open source projects thrive on diverse perspectives and a commitment to fairness. By fostering inclusive environments that empower everyone to contribute, these communities unlock a wealth of innovation. Learn best practices for creating collaborative environments that provide opportunity and access to all individuals and discover how diversity, equity, and inclusivity influence the continued health, success, and sustainability of open source projects.

Open Source Community: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the Energy Sector.

Ibi Fiberesima

Community Manager, Gruve Tickets


What is the importance of open-source collaboration within the energy access sector and how community-driven initiatives can drive innovation and sustainability.

Harnessing the Power of Open Source in the Energy Industry

Omotola Omotayo

Community Manager, Outreachy 


Open is the ability to share information, allow others to input, and enable collective project development for the common good. The essence of open source extends beyond mere collaboration; it cultivates practical and purposeful achievements.


When diverse contributors, each bringing unique knowledge, expertise, and skills, collaborate, they foster innovation and create something remarkable. Engaging the energy access sector in the open source ecosystem will encourage community involvement in planning and decision-making and raise public awareness about the sector's impact and potential.


In this talk, I will provide insight into what open source projects look like, nurture a community around the sector, and discuss the impacts of open source on the energy sector. At the end of the talk, energy sector leaders, potential users, and contributors will know where they stand and how they could examine and benefit from the transformative effects of open source on the energy industry.

The Transformative Power of Open Source

Ruth Ikegah

Open Source Community Africa


Discover the transformative power of Open Source in shaping public and digital infrastructure. Learn how you can become involved in this vibrant open source community, regardless of your background or expertise. Explore open-source measurement metrics and tools, from code commits to community engagement, and uncover the key indicators of project success. 

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Udeze Hall

Open Mic

Leveraging Open Source Geospatial Tools for Energy Access Projects: A Practitioners Perspective

Matias Küstner

Energy Analyst, Trama TecnoAmbiental (TTA)


During the last years, our company has experienced more and more the importance, need and potential of working with geospatial tools. During this presentation, we would like to share our experience as practitioners of both proprietary and open source geospatial software and tools, which we have been utilizing to develop geospatial analysis and support decision making processes for energy planning in various countries across the globe. We will delve into the importance of geospatial data and tools within energy access projects, focusing on the advantages and challenges encountered along the way of working with open source geospatial software and tools. We will present brief project case studies that showcase the successful application of open source geospatial tools in energy access projects, describe the challenges and limitations we faced during project implementation, and explore potential strategies for overcoming these challenges. We hope that the shared lessons learned may resonate on and help other fellow practitioners to keep navigating the amazing space of open source geospatial solutions in the energy access sector.

A Household Energy Use perspective : Women's inclusion in DRE technologies and repairability 

Chioma Ome

Country Director, Solar Sister


Mainstreaming women in designing, deploying, and maintaining energy solutions can expand energy access in rural and underserved communities. Women in off-grid communities play key roles as household energy managers, micro and small business energy users, and smallholder farmers utilizing energy for agro-processing. Women's inclusion in Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) technologies involves meeting women where they are and designing technologies for ease of usability and reparability, which is crucial for the adoption and sustainability of DRE solutions, leading to more inclusive and sustainable energy access for all.

Open-Source Internet Service Providers and Energy Access

Kashif Ali, CEO & Founder, Ukama Inc.

Elvis Attro, Ukama Inc.


In today's interconnected world, sustainable energy access is inextricably linked with internet connectivity. Yet, this vital resource remains scarce in remote communities, the very places where energy access companies are making strides. Imagine if these pioneers of energy access could also spearhead the deployment and operation of their internet services, tailored to their specific needs and those of their communities. This vision is not just ambitious; it's achievable with Ukama, an innovative open-source solution that empowers energy access providers to become Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in their own right.

The lack of reliable internet access poses a significant barrier to energy access providers, affecting the deployment, operation, and scalability of vital energy services in remote areas. Ukama’s project confronts this challenge head-on by providing an open-source, easily deployable internet solution that enables energy providers to expand their services, enhance operational efficiency, and fulfill the growing demand for digital access in underserved communities. This initiative is particularly crucial for the success of pay-as-you-go solar systems and microgrids, which rely on connectivity for efficient management and expansion. At the forefront of narrowing the digital divide, Ukama introduces a groundbreaking, open-source methodology to ensure dependable internet connectivity alongside energy access efforts. Our development encompasses cellular base station hardware, a distributed cellular core, a management console, and comprehensive cloud services. By weaving our open-source connectivity solutions with existing energy infrastructure, we unlock unprecedented opportunities for operational efficiency and community services, marking a giant leap towards the universal attainment of energy access and digital literacy.

Autarky Tool: Navigating Uncertainties in Mini-Grid Design and Operations

Dr. Tatiana González Grandón

United Nations University, Bonn

Institute for Environment and Human Security


Autarky is introduced as an open-source software designed to address the complex challenges faced by (grid-connected or off-grid) mini-grid operators in Sub-Saharan Africa. These challenges stem from four different uncertainties: random solar power and demand forecasting errors; unknown frequency and duration of outages from the main grid. Traditional power system design and operation methodologies are insufficient in handling these multifaceted uncertainties.

In response, Autarky offers a comprehensive solution based on stochastic optimization principles, uniquely capable of simultaneously accommodating all four types of uncertainties. By integrating these factors into its optimization framework, Autarky empowers mini-grid operators to optimize sizing and dispatch strategies effectively, ensuring robust and reliable operation even in volatile environments.

The efficacy of Autarky is demonstrated through real-world application in a mini-grid situated in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Through comparative analysis with conventional sub-optimal deterministic tools, which overlook randomness and uncertainty, Autarky showcases its efficacy in providing accurate and resilient solutions for both grid-connected and off-grid mini-grid systems. This presentation elucidates Autarky's significance as a pivotal tool in advancing sustainable and reliable energy access in underserved

regions.

https://github.com/Autarky-Power/

Localizing Open Source Assets for Energy Futures

Elona Erezi

Management Consultant, Energy & Sustainability


The global energy crisis has highlighted the critical need for an accelerated transition to sustainable energy sources, especially in Africa, where energy access remains a significant challenge. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions exacerbated by reliance on unclean energy sources, Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change. Doubling energy efficiency progress and tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, as agreed at COP28, are crucial goals. Open source technologies offer promising solutions in Africa for sustainable energy access, including transparent, innovative, and collaborative hardware, software, and data platforms. Stakeholders from academia, renewable energy companies, policymakers, NGOs, and the open-source community must collaborate to explore open source tools and data-driven approaches.

Establishing Communities of Practice (CoPs) encompassing a spectrum of people groups and voices can facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and develop interoperable localized solutions. Leveraging the expertise of African project developers is key to accelerating the adoption of open source technologies for sustainable energy access. To localize global open source assets effectively, some strategies such as translation, collaboration with local partners, and user feedback gathering are essential. These efforts can ensure the adaptation of technologies to local contexts and preferences, driving optimal usability and effectiveness.

FAIR Batteries: Higher capacity and cheaper batteries are crucial for the wide-scale deployment of renewable intermittent renewable electricity from wind and solar

Dr. Peter Ngene

Assistant Professor, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science - Utrecht University


In the FAIR battery project, we aim to develop affordable and easy-to-use redox flow battery technologies that are suitable for small mini grids in rural areas. We also aim to make the knowledge of the battery assembly and operation an open source to facilitate the energy transition in poor rural areas.

6:00 PM  - 8:00 PM

Reception