This deliverable report will describe the repository for managing and storing digital data for WP1 throughout the project. It will describe the key data management principles, notably in terms of data standards and metadata, sharing, archiving and preservation – activities within T1.3.

Executive summary

SESA – Smart Energy Solutions for Africa is a collaborative project between the European Union and nine African countries that aims at providing innovative energy solutions using decentralized renewables. This Data storage Repository Plan (DRP) report describes the approach for its repository environment based on how the data flows in relation to the development of the SESA Toolbox and the Evaluation Framework. This relates to WP1 itself as well as the data generated and used for activities in other WPs, both for the creation of content for the Toolbox and the Evaluation Framework’s various analysis and assessments about the energy solutions that are demonstrated, validated and replicated.

This repository environment is not meant to function as an open-science database and access is therefore intended to remain internal to SESA partners. Data intended to be made publicly available may flow through this environment before it will be shared via SESA’s publicly accessible dissemination channels and activities.

At the time of publication of this report the exact data stored in this repository environment is not yet defined. However, we can expect this data to be both quantitative and qualitative in nature and can contain raw, processed and (developed from this) output data. Additionally, the data could potentially be structured, semi-structured or even unstructured. Data can also vary in their levels of sensitivity. Data stored in this repository environment will be labelled with a sensitivity-indicator to ensure access permissions can be arranged accordingly. This means the more sensitive the data stored in the repository environment, the better access and security requirements will need to be for the selected platform. In addition to access and security, seven other ‘requirements categories’ were used for the selection process of the relevant repository platform.

There are three main but different data flows identified for the Data storage Repository environment. The conclusion is these are best served by three separate repositories. From a long-list of available platforms, the best candidates were identified based on the ‘requirements categories’ and a platform suggestion ensued. Final decisions are to be confirmed by the Project’s Steering Group. Implementation will follow once information is available of certain outstanding questions as well as more detailed insights for the process of data collection.

The aim of the plan is to provide an overview of the capacity building programme. It will be a single document resulting from the capacity and skills needs assessment on energy use in partner cities with all relevant stakeholders presenting a sound and tailored learning plan. The capacity plan will outline the learning topics/themes, the sequence, location and timing of training, capacity and skills building activities; the implementation of which will result capacity building, city-to-city cooperation and professional development

Executive summary

The Capacity Building Plan, developed through Smart Energy Solutions For Africa (SESA) project, intends to assist the SESA project and its partners and the local communities engaged to strategically identify capacity and skills development topics, methods and tools to support a further uptake of sustainable energy use in selected urban and rural areas in Africa known as “Living Laboratories” (“Living Labs” in short). The project Living labs are real-life test beds for innovative energy solutions, which will enable the project to experiment in different environments. The urban and rural areas under discussion are as follows: Kisumu and Homabay, Kenya (Demonstration Living Lab); Ga North Municipal Assembly and Atwima Nwabiagya, Ghana (Validation Living Lab); Alicedale, South Africa (Validation Living lab); Rural areas, Malawi (Validation Living Lab) and lastly, Marrakech, Morocco (Validation Living lab).

The Capacity Building Plan is informed by comprehensive capacity and skills needs assessments on energy use undertaken in five Living Lab countries mentioned above. The needs assessments for Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco and South Africa will use qualitative research methods to 1) Assess the present capacity of local innovators and authorities on Sustainable Energy Development 2) Understanding the future capacity (desired state) based on the city’s vision for the Sustainable Energy Use, 3) Identifying gaps between present capacity and future desired skills, and 4) Selecting tools and training modules to fill these gaps.

This Capacity Building Plan consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the Capacity Building Plan and its position. Chapter 2 describes the methodology used to develop the capacity needs and assessment and therefore the Capacity Building Plan, including the research methods, ethical consideration and limitations. This is followed by the capacity and skills needs assessments for Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Morocco and South Africa in Chapter 3. The capacity and skills needs assessments for each country in Chapter 3 details the following: an overview of the country context and background; SESA’s Living Lab project sites in the country; The countries energy governance structure; the various policies, plans and strategies that are relevant to the country’s energy landscape; the present capacity of local innovators and authorities on sustainable energy development; the future capacity (desired state) based on the Living Lab’s city vision for the sustainable energy use; the gaps between present capacity and future desired skills identified; and the relevant tools and training modules to fill the gaps. Chapter 4. outlines the next steps to be undertaken for the Capacity Building Plan as well as the timelines for these steps. The concluding remarks together with some recommendation are provided in Chapter 5.