For a very long time, much of the world's energy requirements have been met by digging oil wells and mine shafts, and plundering the Earth's resources,
regardless of the resulting detrimental environmental effects. It is vital that we think ahead and find alternative, sustainable sources of energy that
will cause less harm to our planet. The potential of solar energy is huge and the African continent is blessed with an abundance of sunlight. The Sahara
alone can generate enough electricity to satisfy the energy demands of Africa and Europe, provided in-depth knowledge and research is applied, and a robust
infrastructure is put in place to trap, store, distribute, maintain and use this renewable source of energy. With foresight, determination, dedication and
commitment, we can establish a long-term supply of energy on economies of scale and scope.
As people concerned, we are determined to carry out measures that have immediate practical applications by opening and broadening the energy agenda and by
systematically incorporating solar energy. It is argued that there is still an abundance of fossil fuel and it will not face depletion in the immediate
future. However, if we wish to protect our environment for future generations it is imperative that we identify and develop another source of sustainable
energy, and that is where solar energy plays a huge role, especially if we wish to future-proof our planet. We believe that the dearth or abundance of
fossil fuels is irrelevant. It is the fact that as many sources of alternative energy with less damaging impact on the environment as possible must be
actively researched, developed and used.
It is because solar energy has an unlimited and indefinite supply potential and can be harnessed with a less negative impact on the environment that both
research that involves all the stakeholders and production with economies of scale is critical, brooking no further delay. For this reason, we have created
the African Network for Solar Energy - ANSOLE (ansole.org).
ANSOLE is a platform of exchange among various stakeholders who are all devoted to promote in a concerted way the use of various renewable energy forms
to address the acute energy problem in Africa while preserving and protecting the environment.
Goals
The three main goals of ANSOLE are:
- Foster technical and vocational training and education (TVET) in renewable energy at various skill levels (capacity building)
- Foster research activities in renewable energy among African scientists and non-African scientists who are directly involved in the
education of African students and experts (capacity building)
- Promote and encourage the use of renewable energy in Africa (substainable development and economy, environmental protection, etc.)
Purpose and Objectives
ANSOLE promotes research, education and vocational training in renewable energy (RE) among Africans and non-Africans with a special focus and relationships with Africa
ANSOLE endorses the use of RE to the benefit of the social and economic development of Africa as well as environmental protection through
- Education and vocational training of African technicians, scientists, experts and students
- Exchange of students and visiting scientists
- Mutual research work with various funding institutions
- Joint publications,
- Organizing workshops, conferences and meetings in Africa
- Organizing and implementing programs on RE for post-graduate students
- Promoting capacity building in the use of RE in Africa for all
- Supporting the creation of national renewable energy associations/networks
- Setting-up of a database on scientists, scientific institutions and businesses operating in RE sector in Africa
- Supporting the establishment of regional vocational training and education centres on RE in various regions of Africa
To achieve these goals, ANSOLE is ready to cooperate with already existing initiatives.
Logo
The following ANSOLE logo has been adopted:
It has the three main colors found in the flags of most African countries: green, red and yellow. The O of ANSOLE is
represented by the Sun, which has been positioned in the middle of the Sahara desert, the area with the highest solar
energy in Africa. The Network is reflected by the net on the Sun, which, through its shape, reminds one of graphene
(representing the research effort).
Structure of ANSOLE
The present structure of ANSOLE consists of
- Coordination office
- Advisory board
- Regional and vice-regional representatives
- National and vice-national representatives
73rd ICTP Network
ANSOLE is the 73rd ICTP (The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics) Network. This brings a series of advantages to the network scientists.
ICTP support to a network is defined in http://oea.ictp.it/oea/programmes/net/:
The support to a Network is given through a co-ordinated use of the existing ICTP and TWAS programmes:
- Visits of scientists to the members of the network through the ICTP Visiting Scholar/Consultant Programme or the TWAS South-South Fellowship Programme;
- Contribution towards equipment costs through the TWAS Research Grant Programme;
- Donation of books and journals through the ICTP-TWAS Donation Programme;
- Scientific activities (for examples workshops and conference, etc.) within the framework of the OEA Scientific Meetings Programme.
The ICTP support towards a network is offered under the same criteria as other OEA programmes, namely:
- Scientific validity of the research project;
- Relevance of the project to the needs and culture of the region;
- Evidence of commitment from local authorities.
ANSOLE e.V.
ANSOLE is legally represented by ANSOLE e.V., a non-profit and non-governmental organisation, registered at the local court in Jena, Germany.
The registration number is VR231505. The by-laws of ANSOLE e.V. can be downloaded here.
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