The Solar Energy and New Energies Research Institute (IRESEN) and the Green Tech Institute (GTI) of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) had the honor of launching the first edition of the Middle East & Africa CleanTech Academy (MEA CleanTech Academy), which is held in Benguerir from September 4 to 10, 2022.
Organized at the heart of the first platform for testing and research and training in green and new energy in Africa and the Middle East, the Green Energy Park, the academy will facilitate the sharing of the fruits of research work carried out within this platform with young students and future researchers by encouraging them to think together about the clean solutions of tomorrow. The Academy will allow young scientists from this region of the world to acquire additional training focused on very specific and cutting-edge study issues in the field of clean technologies. It is also an excellent opportunity to expand one’s network thanks to the program which brings together scientists and experts from different generations and backgrounds.
FIRST EDITION OBJECTIVES
The objective of this first edition is to strengthen the capacity of participants to better understand “the opportunities and challenges associated with the green hydrogen economy and its applications – ‘Power-To-X’”, and to act in as drivers of change in the energy transition in their respective countries. The beneficiaries of this first edition were selected among young scientists, at the end of their Master’s cycle and at the start of their Doctorate cycle, from several Arab and African countries, and who responded to the call for applications launched by the organizers in July. last.
The multiple lectures are given by a wide range of speakers, including leading scientists and experts in the energy sector. These multidisciplinary sessions cover many aspects of the development of green hydrogen technologies, namely:
Renewable energies as the basis for the production of green hydrogen,
The hydrogen market,
The Economics of Green Hydrogen Production,
Fundamentals of electrolysis (low temperature electrolysis systems, high temperature electrolysis systems.
Hydrogen Distribution Systems: Storage and Transport
Applications of hydrogen: Green synthesis of ammonia and green methanol
Carbon Capture, Use and Storage
Stationary applications and fuel cells
Hydrogen in mobility
EDUCATIONAL AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
In parallel with training, the academy will provide access to cutting-edge infrastructure for research and innovation. Visits to the laboratories within the GEP and UM6P will allow future researchers and young students to identify the technological obstacles to be overcome and to understand how they are translated into scientific challenges.
From the first edition, the academy offers tailor-made training including an experimental part, thanks to practical sessions that will focus on the modeling and simulation of hybrid energy production systems including hydrogen systems.
The academy is also an environment conducive to development, entertainment, creativity and innovation thanks to the programming of sports and intellectual activities in the evening after training. The objective is to create a social link between the participants, to get closer to their colleagues and classmates by discovering them from a new angle.
VISION DE LA CLEANTECH ACADEMY
Over the years, the CleanTech Academy plans to become an unmissable event in the agenda of young students and researchers. Each edition will focus on a different theme around clean technologies and new energies. The potential of Hydrogen Power-to-X, clean energy generation systems, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility and electric vehicles, etc. are all themes that will be addressed as a priority in future editions.
Finally, through its successive promotions of ‘winners’, the MEA CleanTech Academy will contribute to building a powerful network of talented experts; capable of meeting together the challenges imposed by climate change in the Africa and Middle East region.