Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

MENALINKS is a project of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and supports five countries in the MENA region in integrating high shares of renewable energies through sector coupling. The project addresses key regulatory, technical and financial barriers and combines model-based analyses, policy and regulatory advice, technical implementation support and capacity building. As an implementing partner, Fraunhofer ISI is primarily responsible for the analytical work on scenarios, transformation pathways and impact assessments. In addition, ISI supports stakeholder dialogue and selected activities in the areas of regulation and technical implementation.

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Countries in the MENA region are facing the challenge of decarbonising their energy systems, which are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, while ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply. Despite the great potential of solar and wind energy, the expansion of renewable energies is increasingly being constrained by systemic limitations, such as a lack of flexibility, grid integration, regulation and investment opportunities.

Against this backdrop, sector coupling is emerging as a key driver of the energy transition. Integrating the electricity, transport, industrial, building, water and hydrogen sectors can create additional flexibility, facilitate the integration of renewable energies, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, many countries still lack the appropriate regulatory, technical and financial framework for this.

MENALINKS addresses this issue by aiming to improve the framework conditions in the energy sector so that the expansion and integration of renewable energies via sector coupling is accelerated. In this way, the programme contributes directly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to the long-term transformation of energy systems in partner countries.

 

 

The project supports the scaling up of renewable energy ambitions through integration measures and sector coupling. By accelerating the expansion of renewable energy and optimising the integration and use of renewable energy, the need for additional fossil capacity will be reduced. Long-term changes in the structural framework, the development of business models, education and training measures as well as financing mechanisms will be developed and their implementation supported. A selection of the sector modules will be implemented in each of the partner countries. In addition to existing initiatives and links, the political priorities of the partner countries, emission reduction potentials and an optimal contribution to the integration of high shares of renewable energies will be taken into account.

The project is based on a model-driven, evidence-based analytical approach. Energy system and sector coupling models are used to map electricity generation, grid integration, end uses, and flexibility options across sectors. Additionally, techno-economic micro-simulation models are being developed to analyse the effects of different policy instruments. Based on these models, consistent scenarios and development paths for the integration of renewable energies can be derived under country-specific technical, regulatory and economic conditions.

 

The project is still ongoing, so there are no results that can be published yet.

Duration

September 2023 – November 2029

Clients

  • International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government

Partners

  • Guidehouse (Project Coordination)
  • Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)
  • Royal Scientific Society – National Energy Research Center (RSS-NERC)
  • MRC Türkiye
  • ALCOR
  • Elia Grid International (EGI)
  • Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
  • Moroccan Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN)
  • Renewables Academy AG (RENAC)
  • Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (Fraunhofer ISI) and
  • Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Systems (Fraunhofer IEG)

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