AORA Solar Inks MoU With ASU & Two Ethiopian Universities
Solar-biogas technology pioneer AORA Solar continues expanding its development work in Africa, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Arizona State University LightWorks and two Ethiopian universities, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University and Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU).
It is hoped the building of this educational infrastructure and future construction of local AORA Solar Tulips can increase renewable energy collaboration in Africa, and achieve greater energy independence for Ethiopians.
MoU Sparks Increase In African Renewable Energy Collaboration
In today’s press announcement, AORA Solar states the goal for this agreement is to “promote academic cooperation for the development and advancement of renewable energy technologies to support the implementation of Ethiopia’s Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy.” The Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy targets a huge goal — transforming Ethiopia into a carbon-neutral middle-income country by 2025.
The MoU seeks to expand the three academic institutions’ common interest in promoting mutual cooperation in the area of education and research. Activities will take place under the guidance of the Ethiopian Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Technology.
“When it comes to developing renewable energy technology for Africa, collaboration is the key to innovation,” said Zev Rosenzweig, CEO of AORA. “ Collaboration will include joint activities for research park development, in addition to the development and strengthening of renewable energy curricula for solar electric, solar thermal, photovoltaics, wind, and sustainable fuel technologies. The cooperation also aims to lay the groundwork for the installation of AORA’s solar-biogas hybrid power technology at both Ethiopian institutions.”
“This collaboration has great potential to enhance the lives of Ethiopians,” added Gary Dirks, director of LightWorks and director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at ASU.
AORA, previously featured in CleanTechnica, manufactures a modestly sized solar-hybrid technology to produce 100 kW of electricity, plus 170 kW of usable thermal power. Running on solar power during the day and biogas or biofuel at night, the AORA Tulip provides grid stable, clean and green power 24 hours a day in all weather.
All personnel participating in this project see this technology as suited for off-grid locations in Africa.
“Adama Science and Technology University (ASTU) is dedicated to merging academia with real-world applications, and our new Research Park is serving as a catalyst for both regional and national economic growth,” said Prof. Jang Gyu Lee, president of ASTU.
Image via AORA Solar
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Latest CleanTechnica.TV Video
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.
