The inspiring beginning: Loccum Conference

May 2003

Besides using and extending the Berlin-Nairobi Physics Student Exchange to support the research in physics of solar cells, Jürgen Theiss suggested in May 2003 also to develop an initiative which addresses the socio-economic, cultural, and political aspects of solar energy in Africa. Marko Förstel and Falko Ueckerdt, the two participants of the Berlin-Nairobi Physics Student Exchange who were at that time preparing themselves for their upcoming academic year at the University of Nairobi expressed an interest in such an initiative.

It was a pure coincidence that a few weeks later, from 26th to 28th of May 2003, a conference would be held in Loccum (near Hannover), Germany entitled "A Global Solar Economy: A Chance for Africa?". Many prominent experts and advocates of solar energy from Germany and Africa, especially from Kenya, would participate. See the original announcement and programme of the Loccum conference (in German). Mr. Förstel and Mr. Ueckerdt were enthusiastic about attending this conference with the objective of gaining inspiration for the development of an initiative with which the Berlin-Nairobi Physics Student Exchange could contribute to the socio-economic, cultural, and political aspects of solar energy.

At the conference Mr. Foerstel and Mr. Ueckerdt approached conference participants and handed out copies of a leaflet which informed about the Berlin-Nairobi Physics Student Exchange and our wish to make a contribution. Their conversations with Stephen Karekezi, Director of the African Energy Policy Research Network (AFREPREN) based in Nairobi, Kenya were most fruitful. Mr. Karekezi suggested that the Berlin-Nairobi Physics Student Exchange could contribute by bringing together Germans and Kenyans experts in order to develop an alternative energy model for East Africa. Such a model would be a computer simulation of the energy infrastructure of East Africa. It would help to identify the greatest potential for the use of renewable energies within the East African energy infrastructure.

See Marko Förstel's report on the Loccum conference (in German) and selected presentations at this conference.
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