The Open Source Revolution to Bridge the Energy Access Gap in Africa

Authors: Dr. Dimitrios Mentis (Lead, Energy Access Explorer, World Resources Institute), Dr. Meron Tesfamichael (Director, Energy Program, WRI Africa), Vivien Barnier (CEO, EnAccess Foundation), Susan Onyango (Director, Communications & Engagement WRI Africa) 

The Energy Access Challenge

Energy services are highly interconnected with socio-economic development and human well-being. Yet, life without reliable energy is a reality for more than 570 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, while more than 900 million people use polluting fuels to cook their meals. Despite efforts such as grid extension, community-run mini-grids, and individual household solutions, progress has been insufficient because these solutions haven't been delivered at scale, in a coordinated way. We urgently require equitable access to data, analytical tools and innovative strategies to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean energy to those who lack access to it.

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The promise and the transformative potential of Open Source solutions and their relevance to energy access

Open Source (OS) initiatives - important knowledge asset in modern economies - can drive scalable and adaptable solutions to bridge the energy access gap. Open Source refers to resources (mainly software source code but also hardware design files, bill of materials, schematics, etc.) that are made freely available for commercial and non-commercial use and may be redistributed and modified according to specific needs . The approach promotes collaborative development, shared knowledge and transparency for achieving effectiveness . Open Source is used in several sectors such as IT (e.g. Linux Operating System widely used in server infrastructure (e.g. Google and Amazon), Healthcare (e.g. OpenMRS a globally used medical record system), Education (e.g. Moodle a learning management system used worldwide), Governments (Various governments use open-source platforms like CKAN).

Success stories of open source solutions in the energy access space

Geospatial Solutions

Over the past decade, there has been a rapid expansion in the use of geospatial data and technology to support decision-making within the energy access space. Open-source solutions play a crucial role in bridging the energy access gap by enabling local ownership and by adopting a data-informed approach while limiting over-reliance on short-term, resource intensive, proprietary solutions. Open-source geospatial solutions encompass various aspects of energy access, including renewable energy resource assessment, demand evaluation, integrated and inclusive energy planning, data management and governance and sector-specific applications. Examples include the Energy Access Explorer, the first open source, interactive, geospatial platform which enables governments, businesses, financiers and civil society to identify priority areas for energy interventions for achieving critical development outcomes on healthcare, education, livelihoods and agriculture. The Open Source Spatial Electrification Tool (OnSSET) and Off-grid Planner are used to estimate technology and investment outlooks to answer to the question: what technologies to invest in and at what cost? OnStove is used to estimate costs and benefits associated with different cooking options.

Other solutions

The success and potential of Open Source is not limited to Geospatial solutions and goes way beyond. For instance, the OpenPayGo Token is widely used in the Solar Home System space and has facilitated and stimulated a broad interoperability across PayGo manufacturers and loan platform providers. Another example is the MicroPowerManager , a CRM software for Mini-Grid utilities and PayGo distributors used by energy access companies in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique. On the hardware side, the LibreSolar BMS C1 is one of the first “Open Hardware” project with significant interest and traction in the sector. Its design allows the use in high power applications for stand-alone or e-mobility in off-grid settings. Several domestic companies are currently testing large-scale deployment and l al manufacturing (in Kenia) is currently being prepared. Other examples of OS solutions in Energy Access are OpenSmartMeter (prototype stage), Airlink (BLE-based PayGo application), D-REC (Open Source infrastructure for climate finance) , Prospect (customize data flows coming from on grid, minigrid and off grid sources and others.

Overcoming barriers to adoption of Open Source in the energy access space

Open source solutions for energy access in Africa face barriers across multiple dimensions. The absence of robust policies and regulations governing data sharing, access, and use limits progress and results in fragmented initiatives. In cases where open access policies exist, inconsistent implementation exacerbates challenges, thus requiring a systematic approach. Additionally, the lack of deliberate policies and legal frameworks promoting open source from governments, institutions, and funders impedes advancement. Furthermore, the lack of capacity in data science and software engineering skills is also a particularly acute problem in the region, which has not been able to produce enough data analysts, data scientists, and other support staff required to effectively acquire and process large data sets . Another challenge is the lack of access to adequate and sustainable funding. While specialized funds such as incubators can be catalytic, their sporadic availability and stringent criteria pose obstacles to many. Other funding avenues like equity investment offer flexible funding; however, such funding is often scarce and unequally available.

To overcome these challenges a number of steps can be taken. To address the skill gaps, capacity building and training programs (such as the Energy Modelling Platforms) are crucial to equip local data scientists with the skills needed to champion open-source solutions effectively. Awareness-raising initiatives are essential to promote understanding and adoption among stakeholders. Sustainable funding mechanisms, including public-private partnerships and innovative financing models, are needed to ensure long-term support for open source initiatives. Creating platforms for community of practice and sharing success stories are essential steps towards raising awareness. Overall, a holistic approach encompassing policy, funding, capacity building, and community engagement is necessary to unlock the potential of open source solutions for energy access in Africa.

A vibrant, growing, collaborative community

One such initiative fostering this collaborative spirit is the inaugural Open Source in Energy Access Symposium (OSEAS) jointly convened by the World Resources Institute and EnAccess Foundation. There is now a vibrant, growing community which fosters transparency, innovation, interoperability, and collaboration and is becoming a central hub for advancing energy access through transformative ideas and partnerships.

In this ecosystem, academia plays a crucial role in advancing impactful open-source solutions in the energy access landscape. Open-source tools contribute to curriculum development and can inform dissertations. By training the next generation of experts, local academia can ensure that capacity is retained within the countries and as such accelerate the scalability of these innovative solutions.

The future of Open Source and Call to Action

The future of open source in energy access is bright, promising innovation and inclusivity. To harness this potential, stakeholders must collaborate more in an effective manner and invest in open-source initiatives. Let's champion open source to ensure sustainable energy reaches every corner of the continent.

Join the open source revolution for energy access!