PROMESS Project - PROfessionals for Solar and Solidarity Energy Management

Brief description of the project

The PROMESS project revolves around a training, application and incubation center for renewable energies based in Thiès. Its objectives are to :

• To co-construct and lead the development of initial and continuing training curricula in response to the needs of energy sector professionals, while promoting institutional anchoring via pre-existing supports and players;
• Train technicians and entrepreneurs in rural areas by encouraging a curriculum that alternates theory and practice, in particular by increasing the number of training sites and on-the-job apprenticeships;
• Support local development after training, by facilitating access to markets and customers, and networking technicians and entrepreneurs with industry professionals.

Thus, the PROMESS project and the training center offer complementary courses: continuing education for rural (neo)technicians and entrepreneurs, initial training for school dropouts and young people in difficulty, and intermediate training for young graduates with little or no practical experience who wish to complete their training. The aim is to train 30 learners a year, using a curriculum adapted to the profile of the trainers and learners, alternating theory and above all practice (>50% of training time). In addition, we offer a post-training support package, including access to financing, markets and networking.

For this project, the PVSYST Foundation has joined forces with :

• AccEd, a Swiss-based association specializing in education and training, is piloting the initial training, and coordinating the project with the PVSYST Foundation;
• Une Lumière Dans La Rue, an association based in Thiès, Senegal, has recruited a team to manage the day-to-day running of the training center, coordinate training courses and liaise with institutions and authorities, as well as running and facilitating post-training follow-up and networking among graduates.

 

Main results of the PROMESS project

At institutional level

Une lumière dans la Rue also benefited from financial support for an agroecology project, giving it a broader link with local authorities. As a result, PROMESS benefits from its agro-ecology positioning to strengthen its offering and appeal in the areas of rural pumping and market gardening.

PROMESS also took part in various national training and professional integration events, presenting its offer and seeking to forge links with other players in the post-training field. PROMESS was also involved in the organization and launch of the national multi-sector platform for youth training and integration, held in Ross Béthio.

At the same time, PROMESS organized information and recruitment campaigns for local authorities in 10 communes in the outlying regions of Thiès. These visits led to the sponsorship of learners by the communities:

• Ziguinchor: 6 candidates selected,
• Saint-Louis: 5 applications accepted,
• Fatick: 2 candidates selected;

Finally, the dialogue and efforts to involve institutions in PROMESS have been formalized by the signing of 2 agreements, one with the education inspectorate and the other with ANPEJ.

In terms of training

Initial and in-service training programs are constantly expanding. Since PROMESS was launched, 158 learners have graduated from Module 2, 80 in initial training and 78 in continuing education. For the upcoming promotions, 102 candidates applied, with 32 pre-qualified for initial training and 40 for continuing education. 15% of trainees and graduates are women.

The proportion of practical training has been revised upwards, with over 60% of training time spent on training sites. In 2021, 49 training sites were set up, representing around 500 hours of training and involving some 60 learners.

6 pedagogical meetings were organized. These have enabled us to continue refining and standardizing the training curriculum, and to plan the launch of Module 3 on large-scale PV and pumping systems.

Finally, module 3 on large-scale PV installations and pumping was finalized, and the teaching facilities for practical work at the center were completed. These include a borehole and a pumping unit, as well as three air-conditioning units. The trainers were involved in the development of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the curriculum. A trainer has been recruited for the hydraulics section. Two training courses for trainers were organized to finalize the curriculum, with the development of a new syllabus on the following themes:

• Pumping history & Benefits ;
• Maintenance and installation ;
• Equipment sizing & selection ;
• Water resources and hydraulic structures ;
• PVSYST software simulation

In terms of professional integration

The professional integration of trainees is a priority objective for phase 2 of PROMESS. The actions carried out in phase 1 proved insufficient to provide long-term support for learners in their transition to activity. A review of the situation led to a revision and reinforcement of the post-training strategy, and the creation of a dedicated support unit.

The first activities focused on setting up a monitoring system to keep track of learners' progress. This shows that around 30% of the trainees are active & autonomous in the PV sector, a further 30% are active but still need support to strengthen/perpetuate their business, and finally 40% are considered inactive. Among these 40%, there are between 10 & 20% who have reoriented themselves and are no longer interested in PV. For others, lack of experience and access to markets is cited as the main reason for inactivity. A dedicated device is envisaged to try and get these learners back into the activity.

In addition to individual actions, the restructuring of the Learners' Association should enable us to strengthen networking and increase group activities. The association has set itself the following objectives:

• Promoting the sharing of experience ;
• Creating joint projects;
• Contribute to the center's reputation, both locally and nationally;
• Support the Centre in its efforts to maintain the effectiveness of its teaching in the solar sector.

 

PROMEE Project - PROfessionals for Energy Management in Kyrgyzstan

Brief description of the project

Energy poverty combined with high vulnerability to climate change will have a considerable impact on the livelihoods of rural communities. Fuel poverty is characterized by insufficient and unequal access to various energy sources, with rural households relying on solid fuels (coal, biomass, wood) for heating and cooking. At the same time, energy losses are high due to energy-hungry buildings, infrastructure and appliances.

Training and supporting craftsmen in energy efficiency for rural areas is therefore an opportunity to raise the standard of living of the local population thanks to affordable energy-saving products implemented locally.

Through this project, the main objectives are :

• Increase the capacity of local craftsmen to introduce effective and affordable domestic energy-saving solutions through training in the basics of service promotion and modern home insulation technologies in mountainous areas (20 craftsmen trained).
• Improve access to affordable domestic energy-saving solutions for rural residents through simplified financial mechanisms
• Evaluate household energy savings to demonstrate that implemented solutions can maximize energy efficiency and reduce heating costs in residential buildings.

For this project, the PVSYST Foundation has joined forces with :

• CAMP Alatoo, an association based in Kyrgyzstan, specializing in education and training in the management of natural resources, with a particular focus on energy issues.
• Ametis (Association of craftsmen specialized in energy efficiency) located in Issyk Kul oblast and the Zhyluuluk Bashaty public foundation located in At Bashy Rayon, Naryn oblast.

A partnership agreement has been signed for 2021.

Main results of the PROMEE project to end 2021

Identification and training of craftsmen

A call for proposals in the two areas targeted by the project identified 2 pools of 12 artisans interested in capacity building in energy management and access to a financial mechanism facilitating household investment. An initial two-day training/awareness-raising session was held in November in the Naryn area to clarify the project's outlines and take stock of practices regarding insulation, heating and construction choices.

Financing facility for households

The project provides for a financing scheme to enable households to carry out energy improvements to their homes in a single operation, which are usually carried out in phases depending on their income. This pilot scheme is based on the principles of a zero-rate loan. It is managed directly by CAMP to limit management costs, before being transferred to a banking institution if the pilot phase produces positive results.

Although flexible in terms of installation, the device needs to meet the legal requirements in force in Kyrgyzstan. The project therefore called on the skills of a legal expert to define a legally acceptable framework that was flexible enough to meet the project's expectations. In practice, the craftsmen are responsible for the financing vis-à-vis CAMP. Households are selected on the basis of a series of criteria and in consultation with CAMP, which monitors repayments with the craftsmen.

Energy consumption monitoring

The project includes a system for monitoring energy consumption and temperature. To achieve this, monitoring probes will be installed in show homes and in homes that have benefited from energy improvements.

Following an initial contact in 2020, the Foundation Board decided to organize a fact-finding mission to Kyrgyzstan with local partner CAMP Alatoo, to discover the association's activities in the field and identify possible avenues and methods of cooperation.

CAMP is a leading association promoting sustainable development in the mountainous regions of Central Asia. CAMP is recognized for its innovative approaches and tools for integrated natural resource management. CAMP was born out of Swiss cooperation's desire to empower local organizations.

The areas identified for collaboration are energy efficiency in buildings, with a particular focus on insulation and efficient heating equipment.