Solar and Wind Working Group Reports on the Progress of Key Projects and Prepares for CEM3
15 December 2011
More than 50 members of the Multilateral Solar and Wind Working Group met in Berlin, Germany, on 22 November 2011 to discuss progress on current projects, kick off new projects, and prepare for the third Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM3). Highlights of the meeting included the presentation of an initial prototype of the Global Atlas on Wind and Solar Energy, updates on current capacity-building efforts, and the launch of a new activity to analyze economic value along the wind and solar value chain.
A prototype of the Global Atlas on Wind and Solar Energy.
Prototype of the Global Atlas on Solar and Wind Energy
The working group presented a prototype of the Global Atlas on Solar and Wind Energy that will be refined over the next few months to better represent user data needs and integrate additional tools and data sets. Several end-user groups discussed their data needs at the meeting. The United Nations Environment Programme will collect additional end-user information via an online survey that will be launched in the next few weeks.
The working group will present an updated prototype of the atlas at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly on 14–15 January 2012 and hold an end-user workshop alongside the Assembly to collect additional end-user input.
Capacity-Building Projects
All capacity-building projects have made progress in the past few months. The Renewables Academy is implementing train-the-trainer pilot projects in Mexico and Costa Rica. In addition, the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, through the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), is continuing to build and enhance the Capacity Building Institution Networks website, which will serve as the working group’s online hub for capacity-building information and linkage with other initiatives and institutions in the field. IDAE is also launching a joint program with Spain’s School for Industrial Organization that will provide seven scholarships for public-sector officials from Latin America to pursue an online masters program.
Looking ahead, the IRENA RE Learning Partnership will present its first prototype of a joint online training and education database at the IRENA Assembly. In addition, by March 2012, the Capacity Needs Assessment group will develop a handbook and toolbox to provide concrete guidance for capacity needs assessments.
Economic Value Creation Project
The working group launched a new activity focused on analyzing economic value creation opportunities along the solar and wind value chain. An input paper on the topic was presented for review and discussion.
Preparation for CEM3
The working group plans to present the enhanced prototype of the Global Atlas on Solar and Wind Energy at CEM3. The working group is also preparing a roundtable discussion for CEM3.
The working group will next meet in Madrid, Spain, in late spring 2012.