Current Research Projects

RCREEE is engaged in the following research projects:

• RCREEE Research Grant Project:

The development of renewable energies in the MENA region can solely be achieved on a large scale through a high local added value, whereby the start of the added value chain lies in the R&D (Research and Development). Therefore, RCREEE has tendered the promotion of four research/ development projects for the region and commissioned each with 40 thousand Euros (as of August 2010). Via the projects pertaining to the following topics, further research activities and private investments should also be initiated:

• Developing a cost effective technology for solar water heating/ storage for local production (Contract partner: Morocco),
• Developing a system for the efficient cleaning of rotor blades pertaining to wind power stations under the special regional conditions (Contract Partner: Egypt),
• Developing a hybrid system composed of solar systems, wind turbine and storage for cogeneration (Contract partner: Egypt),
• Building five photovoltaic stations -based on different technologies- for analyzing the usability under Jordanian framework conditions (Contracted with Jordanian PI)

• RCREEE supports Development of a Compliance Tool for Building EE code:

The main purpose of the work is to develop a PC-based building energy performance analysis tool to be used as an evaluation instrument of existing and new projects on energy performance levels, including compliance assessment to building energy efficiency code in Tunisia.

This tool being developed for Tunisia as a pilot project, will be later adapted to other RCREEE Member States. The centre has signed in March, 2011 an agreement with White Box Technologies Inc. to perform technical services on behalf of the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME) of Tunisia on the project entitled "Development of a Compliance tool for building energy efficiency code using DOE2.2/eQUEST".

• Young Researchers Support, RCREEE Internship Activities:

RCREEE hosts periodically a group of interns in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. In the last period two theses has been supervised by RCREEE.

• Institutional and legal framework for Large scale RE projects in Syria

One of the interns who trained at RCREEE for five months was Eng. Fadi Aljawabra from Syria. Fadi is a student in the Intercultural Master Program "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in MENA Region" for young professionals.

The main objective of the study is to assess the roles of relevant entities and the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations to promote renewable energy projects in Syria, and the opportunities for efficient and successful participation of the private sector.

The study shows the pros and cons of the current practices, and concludes some specific recommendations to develop the legal and institutional frameworks in Syria, with a glance at the Egyptian experience.

• Impact of Desert Power Generation

Moustafa Shaaban is an Egyptian intern also from the Intercultural Master Program "Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in MENA Region" trained in RCREEE for four months.

The aim of his thesis is to study the impact of power generated from CSP, PV and wind in the desert on European and MENA countries. The study includes 44 countries (26 EU, 13 ME, 5 NA).

The impact was analyzed throughout the relationship between energy supply and economical, social, political and environmental development. The study shows that the impact will be positive on both MENA and Europe countries.

The economy will develop in terms of GDP either directly or through multiplier effects. Social parameters will develop through new direct and indirect jobs as well as the technology and know-how transfer which will enhance the co-operation between MENA and Europe.

The research projects demonstrate RCREEEs focus of activities, which is not limited to policy matters but also concerned with R&D issues. Further, it shows that RCREEE is flexible to respond to newly emerging questions and needs, such as the potential that the Mediterranean Union brings for the RCREEE Member States.