1. GLOCALPOWER – Funds, Tools and Networks for an African Energy Transition

2. Phenomenon Research Puzzle Research Aim
How can a fair, inclusive and efficient energy transition be achieved in African contexts?
Analyze glocal energy transitions:
Global level: green funds & global governance networks
Local level: case studies on RE funds and RE tools in Ghana, South Africa and Zambia

3. African energy transition
Research questions
How are energy transition projects orchestrated through green global funds?
How is the political economy of RE finance shaped?
What are crucial factors for designing green funds in a fair, efficient and transparent way?
funds
African energy transition
Which political/financial tools seem adequate for managing energy transitions?
How do they contribute to the 7th SDG?
What are crucial factors for designing political/financial tools that support an effective and inclusive energy transition?
tools
Which modes of glocal stakeholder governance are evolving?
How can inclusive and fair stakeholder participation be guaranteed? How can stakeholder governance be improved particularly in African contexts?
net-works
Research focus
Research questions

4. Research Design 1 2 3 4 5 Kick-off phase
WP1: Mapping of RE transition tools
WP2: Mapping of green finance institutions
Initiation of research group, exploratory research, preparation of case studies
Case study 1
RE funds in Ghana, South Africa and Zambia
Case study 2
RE tools in Ghana, South Africa and Zambia
Case study 3
Glocal RE governance in the African context
WP3a/4a/5a: Field research on RE funds in Ghana, South Africa, Zambia
WP3b/4b/5b: Field research on RE tools in Ghana, South Africa, Zambia
WP 7: Glocal RE governance – inter/transnational organizations
WP8: Postcolonial environmental governance
WP 6a/6b: Comparative analysis
Transfer project: Best practice strategies for African energy transitions
WP9: Policy recommendations ‚African energy transition‘
WP10: Manuals on green funds and RE transition tools

5. Research Design: Green tools
RE transition tools in African countries:
mapping of political instruments (direct/integrative/enabling)
mapping of transition strategies (state-led/ donor-led/market-led)
WP1: Mapping of RE transition tools
Case studies:
3 country cases; focus on feed-in tariffs, auctions + derisking tools
Focus on legislation; performance; donor activities; policy outcome/ evaluation
Explain success/failure/challenges
Methodological background: process tracing; expert interviews
 PhD thesis, journal articles
CS1:RE tools WP3a/4a/5a: Field research on RE transition tools in Ghana, South Africa, Zambia
WP 6a: Comparative analysis
Recommendations on locally appro-priate design of feed-in tariffs and derisking tools: ‚theory of change‘, local empowerment, contribution to 7th SDG
WP10: Manual on RE transition tools

6. Expected results
Adequate design of global green funds: governance, participation, outcome
Adequate design of RE transition tools with respect to 7th SDG
Recommendations for glocal stakeholder governance/local empowerment
Co-design and co-production of transition knowledge for successful decarbonisation processes and for fostering fair & reliable access to energy in African contexts
Development of RE transition scenarios under highly diverse political/economic circumstances

7. Qualification project: Dr. Simone Claar
How does the green transition affect the states and markets in Africa?
the (international) political economy of renewable energy
Finance of renewable energy
Relationship of forces: state-capital nexus, Renewable energy and Labour, local-national-global context
Green Capitalism (s)
meets
African Capitalism(s)
Source:

8. Qualification project: Carsten Elsner
PhD on the relationship between energy and structural change as a development strategy
Question: „How can African countries use the current energy transition to foster structural change towards industrialisation?“
Context of global production patterns as starting point for revision of structural change literature
(Energy) Transition theory
Policy Analysis: Industrial Policy; Energy Policy
Mixed-Methods: Interviews and Quantitative Data Analysis (BNEF microdata on financial movements in renewables)
Case studies: Zambia and Ethiopia

9. Qualification project: Manuel Neumann
Research: The role of finance in advancing
renewable energy transformations in the Global
South – the example of the Green Climate Fund
Core questions: How does the Green Climate Fund advance sustainable energy transformations? What are implications for stakeholders across the North-South divide?
Context: climate change, globalisation, development collaboration across the North-South divide
Applicable Theories: Transition Management, Political Economy, Development Studies, Finance, Organisational/Project Governance,
Methodology: Mixed methods (expert interviews, semi-structured interviews with beneficiaries, [participant observation] as well as quantitative data analysis of financial flows)
Cases: yet to be defined
Source:

10. Qualification project: Dr. Franziska Müller
Green
transformation of
postcolonial statehood
Actors
Postcolonial environmental governance
Policies
Zones

11. Project management philosophy
Top-Sharing
Team retreats
Contact:
Project website: