The Research problem
The project seeks to address the challenges posed by the energy transition, particularly the risks of green neocolonialism, also knows as green extractivism, by ensuring that the voices and needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities are central to the decision-making processes.
Research Design
The research framework will be upon the integration of a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for Sustainable Energy (SURE), a value chain model for the energy sector with a special focus on green hydrogen, and computable Input-Output and General Equilibrium Models.
Project Objectives
The scientific objective of the project “Green Hydrogen for Southern Africa´s Fair Energy Futures” (GH2-SAFES) is to develop a framework for the operationalisation of a just energy transition in Africa, with a particular focus on Ghana, South Africa, and Uganda. One of the central targets is to establish the Just Energy Transition Lab (JET-Lab) for the data-based assessment of energy policies. JET-Lab will continue functioning in the aftermath of WUN-funding. Furthermore, it is planned to develop a real-time dashboard to assess the impact of global, regional, national and local changes on the status of the energy transition pathways, i.e. concrete projects from the lens of just energy transition. To this end, the calibrated computable models of just energy transition will be fueled not only by scenario analyses that will be induced by JET-Lab members, but also by Chat-GPT-based real-time information inflows.
In addition, a key target of the project is the transfer of JET-Lab-based know-how to a broader context of developing and transition economies. This includes the formulation and dissemination of JET-Lab guidelines aimed at facilitating the extension of the project scope through partnerships with other research institutions globally.