Comprehensive Energy Planning for Local Development

Towards a Standard for Off-Grid Sizing and a Just Energy Transition
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-032-32370-5
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 308 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: Research for Development

This open access book presents a comprehensive framework for planning off-grid energy access as a driver of local development and just energy transitions. It argues that sustainable electrification cannot be achieved through technical optimisation alone: energy services must be reliable, affordable, context-sensitive, and embedded in the social, institutional, economic, and environmental realities of the communities they are intended to serve. At the centre of the volume is the Comprehensive Energy Solution Planning (CESP) framework, an evidence-based and iterative approach that integrates engineering methods with social-science perspectives. The book guides readers across the full planning cycle: policy and context analysis, identification of local needs and priorities, renewable resource and demand assessment, technical system design, business model formulation, complementary activities for long-term sustainability, and impact evaluation. The volume combines conceptual foundations with practical guidance. Dedicated chapters examine methods and tools for geospatial planning, photovoltaic resource assessment, digital energy-planning platforms, system modelling, business models, and impact evaluation. Applied case studies from international organisations, research institutions, private developers, NGOs, and field practitioners show how energy access interventions unfold under real-world constraints, including affordability, regulation, institutional capacity, data gaps, operational risk, and community ownership. Bringing together researchers and practitioners, this book is intended for energy planners, policymakers, funders, project developers, NGOs, and scholars seeking robust interdisciplinary guidance for transforming energy access into durable, equitable, and development-oriented outcomes. 

This volume was developed within the framework of the Horizon 2020 LEAP-RE (Long-Term Joint EU–AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy) project and represents a collaborative outcome of its international community of researchers and practitioners.

Zielgruppe

Professional/practitioner

Autoren/Hrsg.

Colombo, Emanuela

Mereu, Riccardo

Stevanato, Nicolò

Fachgebiete

• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Nachhaltigkeit
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Energieverteilung, Stromnetze
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Alternative und erneuerbare Energien
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

The socio-technical challenges of the Just Energy Transition for Africa.- Policymaking for off grid electrification in emerging economies and developing markets evidence from country studies.- BOX CASE STUDIES UNDP s Just Energy Transition Approach Integrated Policy for Leaving No One Behind.- Energy Needs the Capabilities Approach as a Basis for Priority Identification.- Box Methods and Tools Africa Knowledge Platform for Energy Planning.- Energy resource assessment methodologies for decentralized energy systems modelling.- Box Methods and Tools PVGIS Photovoltaic Geographical Information System.- BOX CASE STUDIES Geothermal application and case studies in Africa.- Demand assessment methodologies for off grid energy system modelling.- BOX CASE STUDIES.- Energy System Modelling for Optimal Sizing of Off Grid Technologies.- BOX Methods and Tools.- Business Model Identification and Formulation in energy access projects.- BOX CASE STUDIES.- Complementary Activities in Energy Access for Ensuring Sustainability.- BOX CASE STUDIES.- Impact Evaluation of Energy for Development Projects.- BOX CASE STUDIES.- Conclusion From Planning to Practice: Off Grid Energy for Sustainable Development.

Über Autor(innen)

Emanuela Colombo is a Full Professor at the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano, where she teaches “Engineering for Cooperation and Development” and “Thermoeconomics and Energy Modelling.” She holds a PhD in Energetics and an MSc in Nuclear Engineering. She served as Rector’s Delegate for Cooperation and Development (2005–2022) and is now Delegate for Science Diplomacy, Cooperation and Development. Since 2012 she has chaired the UNESCO Chair in Energy for Sustainable Development. Her work focuses on the Energy–Environment–Development nexus, sustainable energy access, and integrated planning. She has coordinated multiple international projects across Africa and the Middle East, including initiatives on energy access, the water–energy–food nexus, and capacity building. She contributes to EU–AU cooperation through LEAP-RE and represents Italy in international policy bodies. She has over 200 publications (H-index 32) and co-authored .

Riccardo Mereu is an Associate Professor at the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano and Co-holder of the UNESCO Chair in Energy for Sustainable Development. He teaches “Innovative Technologies for Energy” and “Sustainable Development.” His research focuses on numerical modeling of energy systems and sustainable technologies, especially for developing countries. Since 2010 he has worked on numerous international projects with academia, NGOs, and industry, often as task leader or coordinator. Within LEAP-RE he co-led SETADiSMA on smart mini-grids in Africa. He is also Vice-President of Engineers Without Borders – Milan, leading energy-related initiatives. He has authored over 100 scientific publications (H-index 20).

Nicolò Stevanato is Assistant Professor at the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano, where he teaches Energy Planning. He holds BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Energy Engineering and Energy and Nuclear Science. His research focuses on energy system modeling for policy support and long-term planning in emerging economies, particularly electricity access in rural areas. He works on demand characterization, off-grid system design, and national decarbonization strategies using optimization and bottom-up modeling. He has contributed to EU Horizon projects and initiatives in Africa and Latin America. An IDEA League Fellow, he has been a visiting researcher at TU Delft and Chalmers. He has over 30 publications (H-index 9).