Agence Française de Développement Digital Energy Challenge 2023 for Startups & Utilities
Deadline: 15th of May, 2023
The Digital Energy Challenge 2023 for Startups & Utilities is now accepting applications. With an annual Call for Projects, the Digital Energy Facility began the four-year Digital Energy Challenge in 2021.
The Challenge aims to assist the creation of creative energy access solutions, the incorporation of renewable energy sources, and the enhancement of public utility performance.
The three themes for the 2023 call for projects are:
- Universal elect ricity access and mini-grids. Digital innovations in the field of mini-grids to
maximize their efficiency and impact: energy management systems for the optimal use of
clean and renewable energy; software and hardware technologies for an efficient
integration of productive use assets; storage systems and algorithms minimizing the use of
fossil fuel generators; tools to facilitate interconnections with the main grid and with other
mini-grids; systems and algorithms for building-up nanogrids; geospatial data analytics for
power demand evaluation and/or credit risk assessment. - Efficient grid management. Digital services and products ensuring a proper operation of
the power grid, with a focus on: information availability and communication systems;
streamlining Business-As-Usual grid operational management practices of the power
system; increased power availability and service quality. - Resilience and decarbonation of power systems. Digital-based solutions enabling the
development of a greener and more resilient power infrastructure (encompassing
generation systems as well as the grid): additional renewable capacity; grid stability and
flexibility; energy savings at the end-user level (Commercial & Industrial as well as
households).
Benefits:
- Each year the Challenge will award 2 to 3 utility and technology/service provider partnership projects and
5 to 8 start-up projects. An annual budget of €1.8 M will enable grant-based funding, technical assistance
and strategic guidance. Challenge winners can benefit from: - A financial contribution in the form of a grant for equipment and software purchases,
training, recruitment costs for start-ups, and product/service purchase costs linked to
technology/service providers for utilities. - Technical assistance for all utilities and certain start-ups on a case-by-case basis, such as
project management support, strategic and technical expertise and accounting/reporting
assistance. - A boot camp run by cross-sectorial experts to support project implementation, foster
synergies between project winners and share best practices. - Increased visibility for the project through widespread social media communication
campaigns piloted by AFD during the selection phase, award ceremony, bootcamp and for a
period of time after these events.
Eligibility:
The 2023 Call for Projects targets projects based in Africa and owned by:
- Start-ups in the pre-seed phase or with early-stage activities. NGOs can apply under the
Start-up category. - Public utilities (public power utilities and public Independent System Operators, private
companies under a public service concession, power pools, regional organisations, energy
regulators, rural electrification authorities) in partnership with technology/service providers.
Eligible Countries:
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African
Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,
Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia,
Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa,
South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
