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.